Single lesson
1 Timothy 3: Qualifications for Overseers
1 Timothy 3:1–7; 1 Timothy 3:8–13; 1 Timothy 3:14–16
Children will learn that 1 Timothy 3 describes church leadership as good work, lists qualities for overseers and servants, and explains that these instructions matter because God’s house is the assembly of the living God.
Before you teach
In this passage, the writer says, “These things I write to you,” so that people may know how to behave in God’s house. Before saying that plainly, he gives qualities for overseers and servants. The passage closes with a short statement about the mystery of godliness.
Students will be able to identify key qualities for overseers and servants in 1 Timothy 3 and explain that these instructions help God’s people know how to behave in God’s house.
Welcome: A good work
4 minIntroduce the passage by reading 1 Timothy 3:1. Ask what kind of work is called a good work. Then explain that the passage is about people who lead and serve in God’s assembly, and later says why these instructions were written.
1 Timothy 3:1, 1 Timothy 3:14, 1 Timothy 3:15
Read and explain: Overseers
8 minRead 1 Timothy 3:2-7. Explain simple terms from the list, such as hospitable, temperate and gentle. Point out that the passage includes character, self-control, teaching, care at home, and a good testimony from outsiders. Help children notice that leadership is described through visible conduct.
1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 3:3, 1 Timothy 3:5, 1 Timothy 3:7
Discuss: Servants
6 minRead 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Ask children to listen for repeated ideas, such as reverence, truthfulness and not being greedy for money. Notice that servants are to hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience and are to be tested first before serving.
1 Timothy 3:8, 1 Timothy 3:9, 1 Timothy 3:10, 1 Timothy 3:12, 1 Timothy 3:13
Make and respond: Reminder card
6 minChildren choose a short phrase from the passage, such as ‘good work’, ‘gentle’, ‘reverent’, or ‘the assembly of the living God’. They write it on a card and add a simple drawing or sentence showing one way that phrase could shape behaviour. Explain that this response applies the passage.
1 Timothy 3:1, 1 Timothy 3:3, 1 Timothy 3:8, 1 Timothy 3:15
Closing: Why this matters
6 minRead 1 Timothy 3:14-16. Explain that the instructions are given so people may know how to behave in God’s house, which is called the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Finish by reading verse 16 as the passage’s statement about the mystery of godliness.
1 Timothy 3:14, 1 Timothy 3:15, 1 Timothy 3:16
Questions to explore
Which words in 1 Timothy 3:2-3 show that an overseer should be self-controlled and careful in behaviour?
Look for the qualities in the list, such as temperate, sensible, gentle and not quarrelsome.
1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 3:3
What does 1 Timothy 3:10 say should happen before servants serve?
Answer with the wording of the verse and notice the idea of being tested first and then serving if blameless.
1 Timothy 3:10
According to 1 Timothy 3:15-16, why are these instructions important?
Use the passage’s own words about God’s house and the mystery of godliness.
1 Timothy 3:15, 1 Timothy 3:16
Make, think or respond
Key Verse Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- card or paper
- pencils or pens
- colours or markers
Try it together
- Read several short phrases from 1 Timothy 3:1-16 and let each child choose one.
- Write the chosen phrase on a card or folded paper.
- Add a drawing or short sentence showing one way that phrase could shape behaviour.
- Invite children to share their card using the words of the passage.
The card helps children remember that 1 Timothy 3 connects faithful service, behaviour in God’s house and the mystery of godliness.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, read selected verses only: 1 Timothy 3:1-3, 1 Timothy 3:8-9 and 1 Timothy 3:15-16, and help them repeat key words aloud.
- For older or confident children, ask them to sort the passage into three parts: overseers, servants and the reason for the instructions.
An optional closing prayer
Proposed words: Lord God, thank you for your assembly and your truth. Please help us value faithful service, truthful speech and godly behaviour. Amen.
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
1 Timothy 3
1 This is a faithful saying: someone who seeks to be an overseer desires a good work.
2 The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;
3 not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
4 one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence;
5 (for how could someone who doesn’t know how to rule his own house take care of God’s assembly?)
6 not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.
7 Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money,
9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 Let them also first be tested; then let them serve if they are blameless.
11 Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, and faithful in all things.
12 Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly,
15 but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in God’s house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.