Slices
Prepare
Read the lyrics of, or listen to, the song ‘The Servant King’ by Graham Kendrick (1989).
Bible passage
8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
Explore
The word ‘deacons’ in verse 8 is more helpfully translated as ‘servants’. Paul is teaching Timothy (and therefore us!) that, just like church leaders (vs 1–7), all those who serve in the church must strive to have a clear doctrinal understanding and to have a blameless character (v 9). They must be worthy of respect (vs 8,11) in their public life, and they must make godly choices in their personal lives (vs 8,11,12).
This isn’t just a box to be ticked to get the ‘job’. Paul stresses the need to ‘keep hold of’ these characteristics (v 9): they can’t be let go or discarded. Imagine holding something in your hand. Don’t let it drop! To keep hold of something needs muscles that have been used and strengthened and requires us to put in sustained effort. To keep hold of the ‘truths of the faith with a clear conscience’ (v 9) will require us to strengthen our muscles of faith and put in a continued effort.
This will be hard and might feel like an impossible task during the challenges of life. But it will be worth it. Why? Because we will receive a reward of ‘excellent standing and great assurance in our faith in Christ Jesus’ (v 13).
Respond
What practices could you put in place to strengthen your muscles of faith? What might help you keep hold of the truths of faith and live a godly life? Invite the Holy Spirit to help you.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 4–6; Mark 10
Pray for Scripture Union
On Monday and Tuesday, the central team will gather with Faith Guides and Local Mission Partners from the area. Pray for Support Worker Racheal Chapman, who has spent the last few months organising the event, as she oversees the administration. Pray that this will be a beneficial time.
Equipping the church to reach the next generation
Across England and Wales, increasing numbers of children and young people are asking big questions about life, faith and meaning. Many are more open than we might assume – curious, thoughtful, and ready for conversations about Jesus, even when church isn’t part of their everyday world. For churches who have a heart for the next generation, this presents a real and hopeful opportunity.
Many leaders carry a deep desire to help the next generation encounter Jesus, but with full diaries and many responsibilities, knowing how to respond – or where to begin – can feel uncertain. That’s why we’ve created the It’s Time to Act guide.
It’s a simple, encouraging resource designed to help churches take thoughtful, realistic steps towards revealing Jesus to the next generation. Rather than offering big programmes or quick fixes, the guide focuses on what’s possible now – small, achievable actions that can grow over time. Inside, you’ll find practical ideas shaped by real church life that work alongside busy schedules and varied contexts. So, whether your church is just beginning to explore this opportunity, or already taking steps, the guide aims to meet you where you are and help you discern what comes next.
Our hope is that It’s Time to Act feels less like another initiative, and more like an invitation – to notice where God is already at work, and to take a next step, one step at a time.
If you’d like to explore the guide and see whether it could support your church, you can order a copy here.
