Willing To Share The Good News Of The Gospel

 Being an 'elder' or an 'overseer' in the Church is an honorable position, and those discharging this duty have to be ones of integrity who demonstrate certain attributes, skills, gifts, and graces, together with a character in line with Paul's instructions in this letter to Timothy.
 Although there are many more qualities that Paul lists in later verses connected with a person's spiritual maturity, their reputation in the community, behavior at home,  relationship with their family, and the ability to act with self-restraint whether alone or in company, this verse deals specifically with the important issues of a person's moral attitude, ethical behavior, and spiritual maturity.
 Although the characteristics of an overseer, which are clearly laid out in this verse, and the essential qualities Paul lists in this passage, are of the highest ethical, moral, and spiritual standard possible, they are, in reality, the qualities and characteristics towards which we should all strive.
 God is holy, and He is perfect, and as His children we are called to be both holy and perfect, not in our own strength, but by the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. May we each take to heart the need to be above reproach in our words and actions, faithful in all of our relationships and interactions with others and temperate, prudent, respectable, and hospitable, at home and in the wider community.  May we all study to show ourselves approved unto God, be Willing To Share The Good News Of The Gospel of Christ with others, and be ready and able to give a biblical answer to anyone who asks us about the hope we have in Christ.
Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we pray for the elders and overseers in our churches and communities. May the characteristics and qualities that Paul lists in his letter to Timothy, be taken to heart by all who have positions of responsibility in our own churches and wider afield. We pray that You would establish godly men and women in eldership positions who are above reproach and pray that each one would be ready and willing to examine their hearts, to see if there are areas in their life that need to be addressed. We pray that in our own lives, we may strive to attain to the many qualities that You expect from all Your children. Thank You that in Christ we have all we need for life and godliness, and we pray that from this day forward, we take to heart the need to be above reproach, in word, in deed, and in our relationships with others. We pray that we may become approved unto God, be willing to share the good news of the gospel of Christ with others, and be ready to give a biblical answers to everyone for the hope we have in Christ Jesus. This we ask in His precious name, AMEN.