Slices
Prepare
What do you aspire to do or be? Consider this question, asking the Holy Spirit to prompt your thinking.
Bible passage
Qualifications for overseers and deacons
3 Here is a trustworthy saying: whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Explore
Have you ever been asked what your plans are for the future? Or where you see yourself in five years? The person asking the questions might then offer advice, usually about where and how to obtain the necessary skills.
Paul is offering advice to those aspiring to a role in church leadership. But his advice isn’t about developing skills or positioning themselves to gain power. This is a noble task (v 1) and as such requires a noble character who is willing to work hard in the service of others. Those seeking this role must develop a godly character that defines their private (vs 2,3), family (v 4) and public (vs 3,7) life. Spiritual maturity is a prerequisite, to have the knowledge required to teach (v 2) and to remain obedient to Jesus through the challenges of leadership (v 6).
Paul’s words are for a specific calling, but we would be wise, whether or not we aspire to a leadership role, to apply them to our lives. How are we seeking to develop our character and spiritual maturity? All of us who follow Jesus are called to ‘Be holy, because I am holy’ (1 Peter 1:16).
Respond
Read the Bible passage again, pausing on each characteristic mentioned by Paul. Is it applicable to you? Are you challenged to make changes? Invite the Holy Spirit to transform your character so you become more like Christ.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 1–3; Mark 9
Pray for Scripture Union
Retired members of staff and volunteers will meet at Trinity House on 8 and 9 May for their annual conference. Pray for the organising team as they make the final arrangements and ask God to make this a fruitful time of fellowship and prayer for the work of SU.
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.
