1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:6–9

The Bishop: A Man of “Good Report”

Did you know that bishops served in the Church in Paul’s day? How can bishops and branch presidents bless your life? In Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, he outlined qualifications for men who were called as bishops. This lesson can help you better understand the attributes of bishops and branch presidents and how these servants of the Lord can help you in your life.

Paying attention. Notice students and how they react during the lesson. If students look confused, invite them to ask questions. If students look like they have something to contribute, invite them to share.

Student preparation: Invite students to consider the following question and to come to class prepared to share their ideas: How have Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ blessed you or your family through a bishop or branch president?

Possible Learning Activities

To whom do you turn?

Imagine you are wrestling with an important issue in your life. Perhaps it is a decision about your future, a challenge you are facing, or a bad habit you are struggling to change.

• Where do you turn for guidance when you are wrestling with important issues?

• Who do you talk to and why?

Read the following statement by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

You precious young people … are at the threshold of the most important decisions you will make in your lives. Please counsel with both your parents and your bishop about important choices that are ahead of you. Allow the bishop to be your friend and counselor.

(Quentin L. Cook, “Bishops—Shepherds over the Lord’s Flock,” Liahona, May 2021, 60)

Take a moment to ponder the following questions:

• Do you think of your bishop or branch president as a friend and counselor?

• When you face an important decision, or when you need spiritual help, how likely are you to seek counsel from your bishop? Why?

• How could turning to your bishop or branch president for guidance help you?

As you study this lesson, look for ways that a bishop or branch president may be able to support you with your challenges, decisions, and faith in Jesus Christ.

Throughout the lesson, if there is any indication of negative feelings or judgment from a student about their bishop, consider sharing the statement by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in the “Commentary and Background Information” section.

Paul teaches about the qualifications of a bishop

Paul’s letters known as 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are often called pastoral epistles because they contain Paul’s counsel to pastors, or leaders, in the Church (pastor comes from the Latin word for shepherd). Timothy and Titus were trusted associates of Paul who served with him at different times throughout his missionary journeys. At the time, Timothy was serving as a Church leader at Ephesus, and Titus was on the Greek island of Crete.

Among the many truths Paul taught in these inspired epistles, he listed several qualifications for men who were called as bishops. A bishop is a man who has been ordained and set apart as the presiding high priest for a ward, or congregation. He has overall responsibility for administering the temporal and spiritual affairs of the congregation. A branch president has a similar role. The Lord chooses a bishop through a stake presidency, who is seeking revelation. Before being called, the bishop is approved by the First Presidency as being both worthy and able to serve.

Read 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:6–9, looking for qualifications for bishops. Find three of these traits that would help a bishop or branch president guide and bless your life.

After students have identified the qualities of a bishop, consider doing the following activity. Using a soft ball that is easy for students to catch, ask for a volunteer and then toss the ball to them. Once the student has caught the ball, they can choose one of the qualities of a bishop and explain how having that quality may help the bishop guide and bless the people they serve. After the student explains, they can gently toss the ball to another student, who repeats the process. Continue the activity until several students have had the opportunity to catch the ball and several different qualities have been discussed.

• How does Jesus Christ exemplify these attributes? (Consider cross-referencing these verses with 1 Peter 2:25, where Peter referred to the Savior as “the Shepherd and Bishop of [our] souls.”)

• How might having these attributes allow a bishop or branch president to help you like the Savior would?

• How would you summarize what you learned about bishops and branch presidents?

• What Christlike qualities have you observed in your bishop or branch president? How have these attributes allowed him to be an instrument in the Lord’s hands?

• How has or how can a bishop help you come closer to Jesus Christ and strengthen your faith in Him?

A shepherd over the Lord’s flock

Consider marking any words or phrases in 1 Timothy 3:2 or Titus 1:7–9 that indicate a bishop’s responsibility to teach.

The bishop or branch president can teach in various ways, including in meetings, classes, and personal interviews, and by his example.

• How has the counsel or instruction of a bishop or branch president been a blessing to you or someone you know?

• In what other ways does the Lord care for and help us through bishops and branch presidents?

A bishop can help us repent

The Lord has also called bishops and branch presidents to help and guide us through the repentance process, especially if we have committed serious sins.

Elder C. Scott Grow of the Seventy taught:

By ordination and righteous living, the bishop is entitled to revelation from the Holy Ghost regarding the members of his ward, including you.

The bishop can help you through the repentance process in ways your parents or other leaders are unable to provide. …

… As a servant of the Lord, he will be kind and understanding as he listens to you. He will then help you through the repentance process. He is the Lord’s messenger of mercy to help you become clean through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

(C. Scott Grow, “Why and What Do I Need to Confess to My Bishop?” New Era, Oct. 2013, 28–29)

Take some time to write a brief letter, email, or text to your bishop or branch president. Consider thanking him for his service, teaching, and example. Include any specific ways he has helped you. Consider pointing out any of His Christlike examples that you have noticed and appreciated. If applicable, you could also ask to meet with him for his counsel with a difficult decision, a concern you may have, or for help in the repentance process.

Consider testifying of the blessing a bishop or branch president can be in the lives of students.

Commentary and Background Information

1 Timothy 3:1. Where does the title of bishop come from in the New Testament?

The title bishop is derived from the Greek word episcopos—epi, which means “over,” and scopos, meaning “look” or “watch.” Therefore, an episcopos, or bishop, is one who watches over the flock as a guide or caretaker.

Why do I have to go to my bishop to confess sins?

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Serious transgression such as immorality requires the help of one who holds keys of authority, such as a bishop or stake president, to quietly work out the repentance process to make sure that it is complete and appropriately done.

(Richard G. Scott, “The Power of Righteousness,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 69–70)

1 Timothy 3:1. What is the “good work” of a bishop?

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about the primary responsibilities of a bishop:

The bishop has five principal responsibilities in presiding over a ward:

1. He is the presiding high priest in the ward.

2. He is president of the Aaronic Priesthood.

3. He is a common judge.

4. He coordinates the work of salvation and exaltation, including caring for those in need.

5. And he oversees records, finances, and the use of the meetinghouse.

In his role as presiding high priest, the bishop is the ward’s “spiritual leader.” He is a “faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.” …

The bishop has a paramount role in serving as a shepherd to guide the rising generation, including young single adults, to Jesus Christ.

(Quentin L. Cook, “Bishops—Shepherds over the Lord’s Flock,” Liahona, May 2021, 58)

Titus 1:7. What did Paul mean when he said that “a bishop must be blameless”?

A bishop is chosen by the Lord and must be a man of high moral character and worthiness. However, all bishops are imperfect and will at times make mistakes during their service.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following:

Be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work. … So be patient and kind and forgiving.

(Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lord, I Believe,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 94)

Supplemental Learning Activities

What is a bishop?

Consider beginning class with the following scenario: Imagine that when you were out with some friends, you saw your bishop or branch president and said hello. Your friend, who is not a member of the Church, asks questions like, “Who was that? What is a bishop [or branch president]? What does he do?” Invite students to think about how they would answer in a way that may help their friend understand and hopefully trust in a bishop.

Examples of the Savior

After students identify the qualities of a bishop in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:6–9, consider selecting four or five qualities and inviting students to look for examples in the scriptures where the Savior exemplified those qualities. For example, the account of Jesus turning water into wine for His mother at the wedding feast (see John 2:1–11) could be an example of His “hospitality” (1 Timothy 3:2).