Day 1

Scripture to Read: 1 Timothy 3:1

God continues to teach us through His Holy Word in 1 Timothy. This week, we focus on the call of pastors, but we’ll also see that most of the attributes of a pastor should also be evident in all believers. Through Paul, God begins 1 Timothy 3:1 by proclaiming that what Timothy (and we) are about to read is most definitely trustworthy. Interestingly, God led Paul to write the words "it is a trustworthy statement," because all of His Word is trustworthy. What follows these words in 1 Timothy 3:1 is: “if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.” God may have wanted to use Paul to encourage Timothy as a young pastor, and all others called by God to be pastors, that to eagerly seek the position of pastor, though difficult, is an incredibly great position to pursue. To pursue the role of a pastor is not to be taken lightly. Also, no man, young or old, should pursue being a pastor unless they first know in their heart that God is the One calling them to serve as a pastor. But, once a man knows that God is calling him to serve, then it is a great thing for him to passionately follow God’s call upon his life. God confirms His call through His Word, through godly mentors in a man’s life, and also through the man’s family. God has called every believer into His service (Ephesians 2:10), so we all need to passionately pursue the work God has for us as well.

Challenge & Application

1. What did God teach you today about His calling upon men to be pastors and His call on your life? 2. How are you passionately pursuing God’s call on your life to serve Him?

Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!

Devotionals from this week

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Day 1

God continues to teach us through His Holy Word in 1 Timothy. This week, we focus on the call of pastors, but we’ll also see that most of the attributes of a pastor should also be evident in all believers. Through Paul, God begins 1 Timothy 3:1 by proclaiming that what Timothy (and we) are about to read is most definitely trustworthy. Interes...

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Day 2

Through Paul, God gives specific qualifications for a pastor. Most of these qualifications should be evident in all believers because God calls all believers to be imitators of Him (Ephesians 5:1-2). First, a pastor “must be above reproach.” The word reproach means to be reprimanded, rebuked, or reproved. A pastor is to live a blameless life....

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Day 3

As we continue through 1 Timothy 3, we see more of the characteristics God lays out that a pastor (and all other believers) must have to be useful to our Master. God specifically says that a pastor must not be “addicted to wine.” Other translations of 1 Timothy 3:3 say a pastor must not be a drunkard nor a heavy drinker. God does not want a p...

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Day 4

Today and tomorrow we will focus on God’s very specific instructions about a pastor’s leadership in his home. Since God is dealing with how a pastor manages his family, one might think that a pastor must be married and have children. God is not saying that a single man cannot be a pastor. God is making sure that a man who is married, has chil...

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Day 5

Today we continue to unpack God’s instructions for pastors as they lead within their family. As we saw yesterday, a pastor must love his wife in the same way that Christ loves His church. A pastor must also manage his children well. A pastor’s children are NOT going to be perfect for they are all born with the same sin-nature that every other...

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Day 6

God qualifies for us today that no one in leadership, especially someone in a pastoral role, should be a new believer. In the Amplified Bible, God’s Word says, 1 Timothy 3:6, “and he must not be a new convert, so that he will not [behave stupidly and] become conceited [by appointment to this high office] and fall into the [same] condemnation ...

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Day 7

God finishes up with the qualifications for pastors today in 1 Timothy 3:7. God talks about the pastor’s reputation among people who are still lost because they don’t have a relationship with Christ yet. God says that a pastor’s reputation must be a good one with lost people. Having a good reputation should be true for every believer. The onl...

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