They answer to the pastor as well as the congregation. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Meeting people around the church and helping them get connected! You can find the devotionalsby clicking here. Give me the courage to overcome my shyness and be more social to further the impact I make in Your holy name. U Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. For things to be done decently and in order, we must have a rule of order. Support us daily as we wear our full suits of armor for You, and when we go into battle, give us the words to say and the tools we need. Options to hear God's Word may be: a) Through a Relevant Bible Passage Select a Bible passage that relates to diaconal ministry. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Our prayer today is that Your will be done through this event. Give me patience, dependability, and a continued, trustworthy reputation. Grant us his help, that we may be able to establish who are the ones that are truly in need. Amen. The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. What the Bible says about Deacons Topics Deacons 1 Timothy 3:8 - 1 Timothy 3:13 8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Honor widows who are truly widows. It will also increase your ability to use Scripture as you minister to those inside and outside of the church. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. He and his wife, Kris, were married in 1982 and have two married daughters, a son, and five grandchildren. Deacons bring stability for people. Amen. Help us to share Your word and Your truth with all who enter our presence. We dedicate our lives to You, our God. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Read Steve Viars Journey to Faith for the full account of how the Lord led Pastor Viars to Faith Church. What's helpful when questions arise about purpose, is to be reminded about our calling to these roles, and how better to remember than to each meeting take a few moments and collect ourselves to remind each other what we were elected to do. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. I want to help and be there for our members and friends, but I worry that I wont say the right thing or have the correct answer. The word "deacon" means "servant." It was used of those who waited on tables serving food and did menial work.1 Deacons are the servants of the church. Bible scholars are generally agreed that the "office" of deacon finds its roots in Acts 6:1-7, where the early church selected seven men to assist the apostles in caring for the needs of the widows in the early church. Verse 7)? How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. 2.6 Short Morning Devotions for Couples. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Publisher: OpenBible.info. Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 1 Timothy 3:1-13 1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. A.The Problem (verse 1)-Greek-speaking Jewish widows being overlooked in the distribution . Here are 10 powerful prayers for deacons. In Jesus name, I pray. In standard usage, it described someone devoted to carrying out the commands, accomplishing the will, or meeting the needs of another person. Make my heart like yours so I may love your people. Help us to work together and encourage Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. - Sort By Book Order. Give me a humble heart when my work goes unnoticed. These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. This can satisfy the craving on the part of some for relational time, and it can lead easily and directly into prayer time. Let Your light in me shine brightly for all to see. First Corinthians 12:5 tells us that "there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord." Ministries in that verse is also diakonia. : Pre-Seminary & Bible, Baptist Bible College (Now Clarks Summit University)M.Div. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. The agenda will show WHAT is coming up, AND, even more important, WHAT the group is being asked to do about it. Your righteousness transcends all our efforts and understanding. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. Blanket us with Your peace today, Father. Praise You for this event, and Your purpose for it. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. W Deacon Pearson read Isaiah 55:9-12. Salem Media Group. I trust in You. Take my words from my mouth and replace them with Yours completely. Merciful God and Father, you have not only declared that we will always have the poor with us, but have also commanded us to support them in their need. How would these passages help us understand the purpose of a deacons meeting? The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Z. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. The last thing Ill mention here is the ounce of prevention step. Give us renewed strength and godly courage to obey You without questioning. L What does the Bible say about Deacons? Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. If you have short devotions that you wish to share, please contact us. We humbly implore you to dwell among us with the Spirit of discretion. We ask that we would challenge each other to reach higher and farther to be the best we can be. While planning any church meeting, you need to think of all the details about what will interest the church members that will make them attend the meeting without any confusion. Give me health of body so I may serve with strength. Having a good agenda in hand 2 or 3 days before the meeting is important. The pastor should be more than an "honorary" member of of deacons' meetings. Guide My Footsteps Prayer O God, my Promise-Keeper, be with me as I step out every day into the darkness of this world to bear Your light. Romans 8:28 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful They are to be blameless, the husband of one wife, a good household . December 2022 -. Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. Thats assumed. Give [them] health of body so [they] may serve with strength. Do it by email, or do it by snail mail, or do it by using church mailboxes. May we discharge the duties of our office as Christ's ministers of mercy. 7 And the word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae. c. List several characteristics of a healthy church from this passage. 1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful What then, brothers? 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. Paul identifies nine qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-12: Dignified (v. 8): This term normally refers to something that is honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy, and is closely related to "respectable," which is given as a qualification for elders (1 Tim. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God suppliesin order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. As I continue the path of being a deacon in my church, I ask that You give me the words I need to help those who come to me. : Grace Theological SeminaryD.Min. Amen. All rights reserved. Allow others to see You in everything I do and the gratefulness in my heart for the privilege of serving You. b. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. And she went up to him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? 12. 1 Timothy 3:8 - Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Acts 6:1-15 - And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the . - Sort By Book Order. Help me to devote my life to best supporting the elders of the church and the congregation. Stephen's life shows that he received both these things: He received honor (high standing) because he had the privilege of giving up his entire life in one moment for the glory of Christ. Keep love at the forefront of our minds today, and the guiding light for all we set out to accomplish and celebrate. So, we need to read all of Scripture in light of the whole Bible. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. 37 And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, 38 grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. These short, but insightful and inspiring pieces, are all based around the theme of "Live As Examples of Christ Jesus". 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. That even when we have done what You have asked, the results are so much greater than we ever could have imagined. Scripture: 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your . Give [them] a generous spirit when [they are] tired but needed. For we are God's fellow workers. My job has many responsibilities such as teaching Bible studies, planning mission trips and retreats, and offering pastoral care to students and their families. Comfort [them] when [they] question [themselves and their] ministry. And they were accompanying him to the ship. But qualifications for a deacon's character are clearly outlined in Scripture. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. July 2022 - Honoring God with Our Giving. Tell her then to help me.. 2. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. Thank You for giving me this opportunity to work for You. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. #5 - Set a quorum of deacons to be present. So now we are ready to invest a bit of effort and time, because we are MOTIVATED to improve those meetings! The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. II. Deacons' Meeting March 8, 2023 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Hamburg Bible Church 731 Port Clinton Ave. Hamburg, PA 19526 Get Directions Stitches For Souls. So each agenda item will be labeled one of three ways: for information, for discussion or advice (to someone, for example the pastor or a deaconal subcommittee), or for decision. Give [them] peace of mind in obedience and service. Give [them] a discerning mind to know your truth. For each mind and heart that fills the presence of this room, we thank You. Forgive us for striving beyond our means, worrying, and forcing results. Focus our work on the good things that can only come from You. This office, therefore, is named for what it does: serve. I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Make the agenda so it can be distributed ahead of time. I will tend to the poor and the hungry, the sick and the discarded.
