BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 2

Where’s the Shame?

2 Timothy 1:8-18

March 8, 2015

 

Let’s be honest. Not everyone has the personality to be involved in confrontational evangelism. I would go one step further and say that not everyone has the gift of evangelism. Neither of these ideas, of course, exempts any of use from sharing the gospel with those in need of salvation. The great commission was given to every single one of us, without exception.

 

When I was involved in the FAITH ministry at Bethany Place I never became comfortable in going up to someone’s door who I did not know to share a presentation of the gospel even though it would have eternal consequences for his or her life. This lesson today makes me wonder whether my hesitancy to share is what Paul is talking about in the passage in Timothy. The question becomes for me is whether cold calls is really the best way to reach people for Christ? Many today say that building relationships will reap a greater harvest than in effect trying to ram the gospel down the throat of a complete stranger. For me building a rapport with a person sure takes a lot of pressure off of both parties. The canned presen- tation may or may not lack the sincerity needed because it is sometimes amounts to being like a door-to-door salesman who makes his pitch and then is never seen again, even if you buy his product. Paul may have gone to different places and witnessed about the truth found in the gospel, but he then spent time discipling the people before moving on to other cities. He also left behind elders in each church who would help the church continue to grow.

 

One of the problems of the church today is the fact that we have become ingrown. Our growth comes from trading sheep rather than reaching out to those outside the body. One statistic that speaks clearly to the state of our evangelistic efforts is the number of church members it takes to convert a new believer. It now takes 100 church members working for a whole year to reach one person for Christ. Any of us can do the math and see this is not a way to grow Christ kingdom on earth. Paul would probably ask, is this a symptom of those who are ashamed of the gospel and are unwilling to speak up for Christ? This attitude hurts individuals who would become believers if someone is willing to stand beside them over a period of time guiding them forward to make a decision. New believers often bring a new energy to the body because of their excitement. To be ingrown only allows us to live in the world of the comfortable status quo and refusing to take the risk in the messy business of getting involved in someone else’s life. Paul would never condone such behavior and attitudes from those who claim to be followers of Christ.

 

2 Timothy 1:8

Timothy had just been given a clear picture of all that God had made available to him. (Vs. 7) He had received the power, love and discipline to enable to carry on the ministry he had been given at Ephesus. Because God’s power dwelt in him he was not to pull back or be ashamed of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul also encouraged him to not be embarrassed to acknowledge his relationship with his father in the Lord. Although there is no indication that he was doing either of these, Paul wanted Timothy to understand that their relationship went much deeper than outward circumstances. It would have been easy to deny Paul out of a fear of being known as an associate of a political prisoner of Rome. His own life may have been in danger or his ministry among the enemies of Paul may have been diminished or even destroyed. He was called to be willing to suffer for the gospel in the same fashion as Paul with a disregard for his own wellbeing. There was no way that it could be done in his own power but that which had been given to him by God.

 

1. What is the key to continuing God’s ministry in spite of the circumstances surrounding you? (In God’s power)
2. Why did Paul feel the need to admonish Timothy not to be ashamed of sharing the gospel or of him? (It is easy to turn one’s back on those in trouble. It is also because of the fear of being rebuked or ridiculed.)
3. When has there been a time in your life that you have turned your back because to carry on the relationship may have brought embarrassment to you?
4. How do we overcome the fear of giving testimony of what Christ has done in our lives? (Knowing that God is stronger than any adversary we might face.)
5. Why is it important to continue in the ministry you have been given? (People are looking at the way we serve Christ and live our lives.)

 

2 Timothy 1:9

The most important fact that Paul wanted Timothy to remember, if he had any idea of turning away from him or God’s work was that He, through Jesus Christ, had been saved. Not only had he been saved by the work of Christ but had received a call to be consecrated and set apart for God’s work. As Ephesians 2:9 infers man’s call has nothing to do with one’s own effort. Timothy’s call was according to the purpose and grace of God. Paul said that all of it was all made available before the foundation of the world in the work of Christ.

 

1. What was the most important fact Paul wanted to make to Timothy? (He need not give up on his ministry or Paul because he had been saved.)
2. What other encouragement was Timothy given? (His calling was a gift from God.)
3. What is the point that we need to remember? (Our call is a gift to be set apart for service to God and our fellow men.)
4. What does the term holy in line with calling mean? (Our calling to be set apart and consecrated to God for His purpose in our lives.)
5. When did God decide for us to receive salvation and our calling? (Before the creation of the world.)

 

2 Timothy 1:10

What began in the heart and mind of the Godhead before creation was brought to completion by the appearance of Christ into His creation. In His death and resurrection  His actions brought about the abolition of man’s final enemy death and eternal life. The good news that Jesus brought to mankind was that he need never face death of the soul and spirit but could have a life that never ended into eternity.

 

1. How was God’s plan to come to fruition? (By Jesus coming into His creation and making Himself known to His people.)
2. In the mind of Paul what was the devil’s greatest weapon against man? (Death. This was eternal death that would come to all who rejected Christ.)
3. What actions were needed to make God’s plan succeed in the lives of His children? (The death and resurrection of His Son)
4. What was the result of those events in the mind of Paul? (Death was defeated.)
5. What does this mean for mankind? (The physical body is all that dies, but the soul and spirit lives on for eternity.)

 

2 Timothy 1:11

Paul’s call to which he had referred before was to be:

• Preacher – One who proclaims the gospel written about in the previous verse.
• Apostle – One sent in the name of Jesus Christ to spread the gospel in many places.
• Teacher – Unlike the apostle the person who plants himself more permanently in one place to disciple those who sit to learn under his teaching. Paul acted in this role in his stays at Antioch, Ephesus and Corinth where he stayed a year or more in each place.

 

2 Timothy 1:12

Paul was in prison because of his call to go to the Gentiles to preach and teach the word of God in many places. His greatest enemy was the Jews who continually did everything they could to stop him from carrying out the call of God. With everything that had and was happening to him he was never ashamed or embarrassed by Christ. He could face the adversity occurring because he had put his total trust in Jesus Christ. It was his belief that God would keep him safe into eternity.

 

1. Why did Paul find himself in prison?
2. Who had been his greatest enemy and was the cause of his imprisonment? (The Jews)
3. How do you think, knowing yourself, you would handle the situation in which Paul found himself?
4. What was the reason that Paul was not ashamed and willing to accept anything he might face?
5. What does the word entrust mean to you? (It is the idea is to place a deposit of something valuable in a very safe place.)
6. If that is true what is the most valuable thing that you have? (Hopefully you will say your life and not something you own.)
7. Who is the only one with whom you would trust what is the most valuable thing to you? Why?
8. How do we know that God is able to guard or keep that valuable secure and safe?

 

2 Timothy 1:13-14

After the short description of Paul’s circumstances, he returns to his instructions for Timothy. He told his young son in Christ to continue to follow the outline or form of the teaching he had received from him. He was saying stay with the basics of the gospel message. Paul certainly did not mean that Timothy was to use the exact words he had spoken because particular circumstances would definitely call for a different approach. He was not to vary however from the truth that had been given to him in the teachings from Paul. He then wanted him to know that the words he had given to Timothy were dependable and trustworthy.

 

Secondly, in what is almost a parallel concept, he told Timothy as God could be trusted to keep the very life Paul had deposited into His hands, he was to faithfully keep the treasure of God’s word in his own life. He would be able to accomplish that task in the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

1. What does it mean to have an outline to follow in teaching? (The gospel tells us that God invaded earth in His Son, Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, was resurrected from the dead, and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God until He returns to take His people home with Him.)
2. Why is it important to follow the teachings of the gospel this way? (Any variance from these facts will lead a person into false teaching.)
3. How will our teaching or sharing of the gospel be different from one another? (Depending on the audience the words and phrasing may be different but the facts will never change.)
4. What do you believe that God has committed to you for safekeeping?
5. What do you think it takes to be faithful in carrying out Paul’s command to Timothy?
6. What effort have you made in your own life to follow the teaching of Paul in these verses?
7. What will it take for you obey them?

 

2 Timothy 1:15-18

In these verses are seen a contrast between people with different mindsets and commitment. The first two Phygelus and Hermogenes had not been able to sustain the allegiance to Paul or the cause of Christ. There was no way of knowing what went through the minds of those two men. They may have become fearful that if the Roman government would arrest someone like Paul they were not strong enough in their faith to face the possible persecution that would surely come associated with him and the church. For whatever reason, Paul was saddened at their departure.

 

Paul then wrote of a man, Onesiphorus, who was so committed to Jesus Christ and Paul’s teachings that he went to great effort to find Paul, even though he knew to do so might lead to his own imprisonment and possibly death. Not only did he locate Paul but, provided for his physical needs but more importantly his need of companionship because Paul felt that he had been completely deserted by those in he had invested much of his life.   The lesson that Paul wanted to drive home again to Timothy that there was a least one man who was not turned off by the circumstances of Paul’s imprisonment. He asked that God pour out blessings upon him and his family and that God remember him for all the service he had rendered to Paul and the people of Ephesus.

 

1. Why do people leave the church?
2. What examples do you see of the people of different mindsets and attitudes in the church today that would match up with those described in these verses?
3. Which do you believe are greater service to the kingdom of God?
4. What are the reasons you feel that way?
5. In what ways can we be a people who provide for the physical, mental and spiritual needs of people in society today?
6. In what ways do we seek them out?
7. How do we minister to those who are different than those who have been in the church for a long time?

 

• Be faithful to the calling which each of us has received from God.
• Read Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:20-21; 1 Peter 1:23 for a picture of the teachings of Paul in Timothy.
• Look for ways to discover the gifts that God has given to you to be used in service to Him.
• Learn the outline for sharing Christ with others. See the lesson for this week to see the outline of the gospel.
• The memory verse for this week is 2 Timothy 1:12

 

We have a great opportunity today to share the good news of Jesus Christ. The world is hurting as never before and needs the message that we have been given to us. Paul’s admonition to Timothy to be bold and to stand up for those in trouble holds true for the church today. Matthew 25:34-40 speaks of the reward for those, who in the name of Christ are not ashamed to minister to the hungry, naked and those in prison. He finished by saying, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 25:40)

 

We can do these things because we have the salvation that can only come through Christ. We know that this is true as we accept the teachings found in the Bible. Our responsibility is to stay true and fulfill the lessons to be learned as we hide the Word in our hearts. The great danger for us and many churches come if we drift off into some false teachings and not maintain what called the outline or form of the good news as presented in the New Testament. Those basis concepts are never to be changed, even though the presentation may vary depending on the circumstances in which they are shared. Let us be forever faithful to the truth found in the Bible and be willing to carry out the mandates that are found there.

 

 

Lesson 1

Foundation for a Strong Life

2 Timothy 1:1-7

 

Having come from a family where spiritual matters did not hold a great importance, I feel like I am always trying to catch up in my personal growth. I cannot ever remember a time when either of my parents ever sat down and read the Bible to my brother or me. In fact I had to actually borrow a Bible to memorize Psalm 100 for a presentation in a citywide meeting. I can only imagine what a household where the Bible held first place in the home. Sadly, I fell down in so many ways in reading to my own children. When I said I am always trying to play catch up it was not until I was in my late twenties that I began to take the study of God’s word seriously. The terms theology, doctrine, apologetics and mentoring were completely foreign to me. From all the information available to us today, it is obvious that a vast majority of church members no matter the age or length of time in church are in the same boat. The real question becomes, If I had been mentored by someone would I have been different? The second question would follow closely behind it, “Who knew what mentoring was all about in the 1940’s – the 1990’s. It has only recently become obvious that there has been a huge hole in the life of the church in the area of discipleship. Much of what I have learned over the years has come from my curiosity and interest in the whole subject of the church. The third question then becomes, “What are we going to do to rectify the shortcomings of the past?”

 

With the statistic that the number of young people leaving the church today hovering around 80 percent, what are we doing to stem the tide? We can keep on doing what we have for the last sixty years or we can wait up and began changing the trend around to a more positive number. It is difficult to break out of the malaise in which we find ourselves but it can be done. If we do there is a strong possibility that we can begin to produce more young men and women of the caliber of Timothy in the church. One thing we cannot do is to ignore the situation any longer. Time is not on our side. If we continue on the path that is now prevalent in many churches we will see the body of Christ become weaker and weaker.

 

In “Kingdom Education” by Glen Schultz the metaphor is used to describe how to train of a child in a godly fashion. He said that education is like a three-legged stool that must have the legs of family, church and school working together to produce a strong young Christian. For any of those three components to be missing lessens what Paul would call the mentoring of a person. Only two of those in today’s society are truly working together. The public schools are no longer partners with the church and family. This means that we must not fall short of our responsibility to help grow spiritually healthy people.

 

As shared last week, one important theme throughout the book of 2 Timothy is the mentoring of those under our care. Paul emphasized this speaking of both his background and Timothy’s.

 

2 Timothy 1:1

It may seem strange that Paul would write about his apostleship. It must be remembered like all of his other letters he fully expected this one to be shared with not only the members of the church at Ephesus but other ones in Asia Minor. He wanted to make sure that all who heard the words of this letter understood that his authority came from none other than God Himself. It was God’s desire for Paul to be His witness everywhere he went. His message was always the assurance of the salvation found in Christ which he had discovered on the Damascus Road thirty some years earlier.

 

1. Why did Paul once again open a personal letter by identifying himself as an apostle? (Other people, than Timothy would read the letter.)
2. How would you fill in the blank, I have been called to be a _____________________ by the will of God? (Each of us has been called to a certain place of ministry according to our gifts, personality, passions, abilities and experiences. If you do not know what these are, avail yourselves of the opportunity to discover them.)
3. What was the message Paul preached and taught everywhere he went?
4. In what ways are we given opportunity to do the same?

 

2 Timothy 1:2

Even though the letter would be shared with others it was specifically addressed to Timothy. Although Timothy was not his son by birth, he considered him as his beloved son. His greeting of Grace, mercy and peace was only used in 1Timothy.

The meaning of those words is:

• Grace is a gift of undeserved favor from God. By it one receives salvation.
• Mercy is God giving to man what he does not deserves as opposed to justice in which God would give what man truly deserves. What man deserves is death because God must judge sin because of His pure and holy nature.
• Peace is for one’s well being in a world that is in turmoil and presents danger to the believer.

 

1. Why would Paul call Timothy, his beloved son? (Their relationship in Christ was much stronger and deeper than the bond of even a blood relative. They had experience many things together out of which the deep relationship had developed.)
2. What is the source of grace, mercy and peace?
3. What do each of those terms mean to man?
4. In what ways do you believe that God has given you those three things?
5. How do you know that you do not deserve to have been given them?

 

2 Timothy 1:3

As he does in all of his letters he expresses a love for the recipients because of the relationship that God has allowed him to have with them. He was not always pleased with their actions but he always loved them through Christ. He then went on to say that his service of God has always been one of integrity. Even when he was persecuting the church he believed with all of his heart that he was doing the right thing based on the foundation of Judaism that he had learned from those in his family who had served before him. His previous life was lived in ignorance of whom Christ was and what He came to do for mankind. Once he met Christ on the Road to Damascus he never waivered in his devotion. Paul was truly thankful for God bringing he and Timothy together. Timothy was never far from Paul’s mind as he consistently prayed for him. Not only did he pray for the young man but wanted to see him again for sometime had passed since he left Timothy at Ephesus. Between the two men there was a great affection. When Paul left him there were tears shed at the separation and in those perilous times there was never a guarantee that they would meet up in this life. To be together again would bring great joy to Paul.

 

1. For what was Paul thankful? (The relationship he had with Timothy.)
2. How could Paul say that he had served with a clear conscience as his ancestors had when he had been a persecutor of the church? (He believed that he was following the teachings of Judaism and was against anyone who seemingly broke the law.)
3. Why did Paul speak of his ancestors? (The foundation that they provided had brought him to the place of where Christ could build on those teachings and used them to reach the world.)
4. In what ways have your families been a positive or negative influence in your life?
5. How can Christ use even the less than best circumstances in service to Him?
6. What do the words Paul had for Timothy say about their relationship?
7. What were the things Paul shared that would be an encouragement to him?

 

2 Timothy 1:5

The one thing, of which Paul was sure, concerning Timothy, was the young man’s faith. He had no doubt from all they experienced together that Timothy was a true follower of Christ. He went on to say that he knew that the teachings and deep faith of his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice had been influential in his life. As was seen in the book of Acts, his father was a Greek but it was the women in his life that had had the greatest impact on the direction he took in following Jesus.

 

1. How could Paul be sure of Timothy’s faith?
2. What obstacles may have been in the way of Timothy coming to Christ? (His father was a Greek and most likely a pagan.)
3. Why were Lois and Eunice able to be such a great influence in Timothy’s life? (Not said but we can definitely see the Holy Spirit defeating the influence of the father and drawing Timothy to the truth he would have seen in the teachings and faith of the women in his life.)
4. Who or what have been obstacles in your life that may have kept you from coming to Jesus?
5. Who has been that influential person in your life that helped you overcome any obstacles in your path to Christ?
6. Why is the foundation that Timothy had in his home life so important in our growth as Christians?

 

2 Timothy 1:6

Whenever a person becomes a reborn follower of Christ he or she receives at least one spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit. As a person grows in maturity in the faith so does the gift become stronger. Timothy, from all indications had been given the gifts of pastor/teacher and ministry. In fighting the fires taking place in Ephesus he may have begun to neglect his gifts. Paul gently called on Timothy to refocus and stir up and regain his passion for the ministry for which God had gifted him to accomplish. The verse brings to mind a picture of a person tending a fire in a fireplace. Left unintended the flames eventually will begin to die down and the fire must be stirred up to give it the air it needs to keep burning. Paul was putting in the poker and calling Timothy to get on fire once again in spite of persecution and controversy taking place all around him.

 

1. What may have been some of the issues in the church that may have caused Paul to call Timothy to a new passion for the work?
2. What are the kinds of things that can wear you down as you try to live a Christian life and serve Christ?
3. What is the danger of allowing the gift of God has given you to begin to lose in its power in your life?
4. How does a person keep the gift given to him or her strong?
5. How are you using the gifts God has given you?
6. How can you once again regain the passion for serving Christ?

 

2 Timothy 1:7

Based on the reality of Timothy’s faith and giftedness Paul reminds him that timidity is the opposite of those characteristics. With the realization that he may never see his mentor again may have caused Timothy to become somewhat anxious in light of a future dealing with the obstacles alone. Satan uses the tool of fear or timidity to paralyze a follower of Christ keeping him from serving God. Man’s understanding of what God provides will help him overcome the fear or being timid. God has given every believer, including Timothy:

• Power that is greater than anything the devil may try to bring into a person’s life.
• God’s kind of love which allows the follower to overcome every circumstance and keeps one from wanting to take revenge even on one’s enemies.
• Discipline and self-control that would allow Timothy to stay focused the ministry he had been given and not other things that would distract him. He lived in a dangerous world but the only thing that would under mind what Christ was doing in his life was the fear of the unknown over which he had no control anyway.

 

1. What are the things of which you are fearful?
2. Which of those are bigger and more powerful than God?
3. Why do we allow those things to control us?
4. Why do you find it difficult to have a godly love operating in your life?
5. Why does Paul call Timothy to have that kind of love? (His enemies could not cause him to act in an ungodly way thus gaining victory over him. To love one’s enemies allows God to possibly work in their hearts when we are willing to treat them with kindness and prayer for them.)
6. Why is discipline and self-control important in one’s life? (It allows a person to stay focused on those things and people that are a priority.)

 

• Each week I am going to share a Scripture from the lesson that I believe you can use for memorization and reflection. This week look at 2 Timothy 1:5-7 that speaks of faith and the importance of family in its development.
• Encourage someone this week who may be going through a difficult time and pray for them the entire week at whenever they come to mind.
• Discover and begin using your spiritual gift or gifts in service for God’s kingdom.
• Using the example of the three legged stool make sure you are doing your part in the spiritual growth of young people. Your involvement may be as a church leader, parent or school teacher/administrator.

 

The world of Paul and Timothy was not so much different than the one in which we live. Probably the one area with which we can most identify is the proliferation of false teaching inside and outside the church. For that reason it all the more imperative that all of us do all in our power to encourage and provide the foundation for each of us no matter what the age or position to face the enemy of the church. It is becomes more difficult the further we get away from the time when the Bible was written and taught by the eyewitnesses of the actual events. We must ever watchful against the things that will destroy the credibility of the church. Paul had to encourage and admonish Timothy to stay strong. It is our responsibility today to heed those same words. It will only happen as we continue to study God’s word and disciple those during the time we have been given. The next generation of believers can only be as strong as the one preceding it. Weak doctrine will lead to a diminished faith.

 

Paul said that God does expect us to be timid and fearful. God has given us so much more. He has given us his power to face the enemy. Also He provided us with the ability to love all kinds of people with His love. Finally we can develop a lifestyle of discipline and self control so that we can stay focused on what is important. Our vision statement clearly expresses what Paul was saying to Timothy. We are called to be disciples who makes disciples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

2 Timothy

 

I have often wondered what I would say to my family if I knew that I was going to die within a short period of time. Sometime ago there was a movie titled, “The Ultimate Gift.” In it James Garner played the grandfather of a spoiled and angry young man. Garner evidently saw potential in him that he did not see in his own sons. His grandfather put him through a number of difficult situations to test his character. One included going to the site in Central America where his father had died in a plane crash. While there he was taken prisoner by some gorilla fighters. He finally escaped. After all of the trials the young man proved to be the man his grandfather thought he was capable of being. Subsequently, he became the head of a billion dollar corporation.

 

As I have studied this particular book one thought has struck me. There is not a cohesive teaching as much as we see a man trying to put down in writing everything he wants his son in the faith might need to hear to carry the work after Paul was gone. When I was writing more because I had the time to do so I would do what I called a mind dump. Without regard to punctuation or even the best formation of ideas I would just input material as it came to me. I knew that later on I would be able to edict the material to make it presentable. Most of you who are teachers have seen some of this in the unedited Bible Study lessons sent out each week.

 

The church can sometimes forget that those who we are trying to disciple need a cohesive and systematic way of understanding God’s word. We can have a hodgepodge of programs or activities that can be more confusing than helpful. Teachers need to be able to present in a clear way what God’s word has to say. One of the resources I read said of 2 Timothy that it was difficult to divide the book into sections of thoughts. Paul jumps from one thought to another as he tried to cover all of the bases.

 

It is easy to understand why Paul presented the material the way he did. Unlike 1 Timothy which was written between 63-65 AD after he had been released from his first arrest. He had every hope to be able to spend some time with his protégé. 2 Timothy was written under much different circumstances. Paul had travelled about on what was his fourth missionary trip. One phase of that trip carried him to Ephesus where he had left Timothy to continue to straighten out some problems and provide leadership and instruction for the church.

 

At the time of 2 Timothy Paul found himself again in the prison called Mamertine. He had been arrested once again in about 65 AD. To see where he was imprisoned go to Google. There are a number of pictures there, showing the actual place scholars believe Paul was incarcerated. It basically was an underground hole in the ground with no windows and would have been cold, dark, damp and rat infested. It would be his final home before his execution by beheading in the time period 66-67 AD outside the city on what is known as the Appian Way.

Knowing his time may be short we can understand the urgency he must have felt in writing the letter. It was meant to be a letter of the following themes:

 

• Encouragement: 1:1-5
• Exhortation and instruction: 1: 6-13; 2:1-7, 22-23; 3:10-11, 14-15
• Warning: 1: 15-18; 2:16-18; 4:5, 14-15
• Paul’s status: 2:8-10; 4:6-8,
• Christ’s work in the world: 2:10-13; 19
• Ministry: 2:10, 14-15, 22-26; 4:2, 5
• Christian lifestyle: 2:19-21
• Coming Apostasy 3:1-9, 13; 4:3-4
• Coming persecution of the church: 3:12
• Primacy of God’s word: 2:9, 15; 3:14—17
• Indication of Paul’s loneliness and need of companionship: 4:9-13, 16
• Faith: 1:12-13; 4:7-8,18
• Benediction: 4:19-22

 

Following are some verses you may want to use as memory verses over the next several weeks:

 

• 1:6
• 1:12-13
• 2:1-2 (Fits in with our vision statement.)
• 2:9 (Short but powerful)
• 2:15
• 2:22 (Especially for the youth but for all of us.)
• 2:24-25
• 3:14-15
• 3:16-17
• 4:2 (Especially for teachers)
• 4:5
• 4:7-8 (We should always be prepared to meet God no matter what the age. We can fight the good fight at all times of our life.)

 

You may not have time to use all of these but can select the ones or different ones that mean something to you.

 

• Remember this book is a message for all different times especially the day in which we live.
• 2 Timothy is especially applicable to the young people of today as they face difficulties with which many adults have never had to deal.

 

 

Lesson 6

The Godly Life

1 Timothy 6:1-21

 

What is truth? That is the question Pontius Pilate asked two thousand years ago. I feel I must in my own life be vigilant in the things I read and study. There is so much written today and on television that sounds so good but has lies imbedded in the message presented by men for their own benefit. As has been shared before I take great care in the authors I read. My approach has always been to read books and articles recommended by people I trust to share the truth. Some of my favorite authors are people like Dallas Willard, C.S. Lewis, Ravi Zacharias, and Billy Graham just to name a few. The writings of these men have stood the test of time. Many were written before I was born and are still used to proclaim the truth to the world.

 

From the very beginning of Christianity men like Augustine, Policarp, Origen and Eusebieus have made sure, even at the cost of their lives, that we have the truth of God today. As a teacher it is my responsibility to share only the truth with those who listen to what I share. I have spent a lot of time reading material that verifies the accuracy of the Bible. One of the books that I believe presented the information was one written by Randall Price, who at the time of the publication of his book, “Searching for the Original Bible,” was a professor at Liberty University. My plans are to build on that evidence with further reading and research.

 

All of this is done, not for the knowledge in itself, but for growth in my relationship with the Father through His Son. We are to be disciples of the truth our entire lives.

 

Every speaker who stands in the pulpit today has the responsibility to carry on the tradition of the apostles and the early church fathers. They made every effort to make sure that their audience heard the full accurate counsel of God. The messengers of God need to make sure that they do not bring discredit to the reputations of all those who have sacrificed so much so that we can share God’s infallible word today. This will become more and more difficult as the world continues to water down what church members hear today. Popularity is too great a price to pay for misleading maybe millions astray every Sunday. By holding to the truth ourselves we can know when we are being fed a twisted message. Paul has spent a whole book instructing Timothy how to maintain his integrity and the truthfulness of the word as it was presented to the church at Ephesus.

 

1 Timothy 6:1-2

In the early church the majority of members were slaves. The Roman Empire was made up of over sixty million slaves which was about eighty or more percent of the total population. As he did in these verses, Paul never spoke against those in authority. He wanted Christians to set examples for others by obeying their master in every way even if they belonged to those who were harsh. He never wanted them to do anything that would reflect poorly on the church. The one exception to total obedience was any circumstance when those in authority required a person to do something that violated the words of God. The early church got into trouble by refusing to declare, “Caesar is Lord.” One factor that may have gone into Paul’s thinking was the fact that any uprising would bring about strong action by the government, even to the complete destruction of the church.

 

1. Why did Paul call the Christians to obey their masters?
2. What was one danger in a situation where both were believers? (The slave might think that he could get away with not serving the master fully.)
3. What might have happened to the church if they had rebelled against the government?
4. Who are those in authority in your life?
5. How do you relate to those in authority in your life?

 

1 Timothy 6:3-5

Paul returns to the problem that was pervasive throughout society in that day. For selfish reasons their teachings did not line with the doctrine found in God’s word. They spent their time arguing and discussing minor points that had nothing to do with God’s kingdom and the work that Jesus had done in the lives of people. One of those issues may have revolved around the authenticity of the salvation of the Gentiles because they did not follow the Jewish law.

 

There were also philosopher’s who travelled around from church to church who tried to gain disciples who would finance them. There was a movie many years ago titled “Elmer Gantry” who was a charlatan using Christianity for his own personal gain and immoral behavior. These men were arrogant who distained those who disagreed with them. From their discussions came envy, strife abusive language and evil suspicions. These were men who did not know the truth and used their talk of God to get rich. In many of his debates the atheist, Christopher Hitchens, was known to try to intimidate his opponent by losing control of himself, yelling and using other tactics.

 

1. What was one of the problems prevalent in the early church? (false doctrine.)
2. Who were those who used churches for personal gain? (Philosophers)
3. What do philosophers do? (Supposedly to discover truth by logically discussing issues.)
4. How do we recognize those who are not teaching the truth?
5. How did they attempt to use religious discussions? (For monetary gain.)

 

1 Timothy 6:6-8

While the false teachers were only after monetary security, the true follower of Christ found contentment in his or relationship with god. The one fact that is true of every person as even Job understood, no one brings anything material into this life and there is nothing physical that will go with him beyond death. That is the main reason the follower of Christ had the right perspective in life. Their joy came from serving God and being satisfied with what they had been given by God. The two things Paul specifically mentioned were food and shelter, which included clothing.

 

1. What was the difference between those philosophers and true followers of Christ? (Philosophers did not find contentment in their endeavors.)
2. What is the believer to pursue? (godliness)
3. What does he gain from his endeavors? (contentment)
4. What is the one thing that is true of every human being?
5. Why does Paul specifically mention as those things needed by each of us?
6. What brings contentment in your life?

 

1 Timothy 6:9-10

It is to be understood that physical possessions in themselves are neither good nor bad. Paul is talking about the point at which those things money etc. become the dominating and controlling factor in one’s life. It is a fact that for those who make money their god they never can have enough, which ultimately leads to destruction of mind, heart and soul. Many reach a point of having no regard for anyone or anything else and will stop at nothing to acquire. There are a number of examples like Howard Hughes and Barbara Hutton who died lonely miserable lives. Paul had already given the opposite of these results found in those who were satisfied with little received with thanks.

 

1. Why does man have such an insatiable desire to get things?
2. What does the word insatiable mean? (Never satisfied with what you already have.)
3. What happens so often in the lives who gain great wealth?
4. Who are some examples of those who had great wealth but had nothing else?
5. What did Paul say was the benefit of those who lived lives with food and shelter?
6. In what ways do you struggle with these two ideas?

 

1 Timothy 6:11

Timothy here is called a man of God. It is fitting that he should receive this honorable title because of his total commitment to the ways of God. It was also a way for Paul to give encouragement to his young friend. There are certain things that a man of God must not only turn his back on but to run away from them as fast as he can. Putting those things out of his mind he is to instead of dwell on those characteristics of one committed to God. He is to give his attention to the pursuit of

• Righteousness – Giving to both man and God what they are due.
• Godliness – Reverence to God. A man who understands that everyday he lives is in the presence of God
• Faith – Total fidelity and trust in God
• Love – God’s kind of love. The word agape is used for this type of love.
• Perseverance – It is a victorious endurance not a passive one where man just waits for things to happen to him.
• Gentleness – Meekness is the tension between excesses in one’s life. It is a man under perfect control no matter what the circumstance.

 

1. What does it mean to be called a man of God?
2. Who are some other examples in the Bible? (Moses for one (Deuteronomy 33:1)
3. What are the qualities of such a man?
4. What is to be our attitude towards those things that would entrap us in this world?
5. What are the characteristics that each of us is to pursue?
6. What do we need to be able to become that kind of person?

 

1 Timothy 6:12-15a

Not only was Timothy not to become discouraged, but also was to press forward with the battle of faith against the false teachers who turned their lives over to Satan. He was to hold fast to the eternal life to which he had been called and received. He had declared his allegiance to God before many witnesses.

 

Paul once again reminds Timothy of his declaration had been made in the presence of God who is the giver of eternal life and Jesus Christ who declared before Pontius Pilate He was King of a greater kingdom than Rome.

 

Timothy was to keep the command that he had been given faithfully and in purity until Christ returned. Christ would return at the right time.

 

1. What was to be Timothy’s marching orders?
2. Who would be the enemy against whom he would do battle?
3. Why did Paul command him to hold to the eternal life he had been given? (The battle was going to be difficult and sometimes it is easier to give up than to move forward.)
4. Who would Timothy be letting down if he failed? (All those who heard his profession of faith and Jesus Christ his Lord and King.)
5. Why did Paul speak of the confession Jesus made? (In the face of a very difficult time Jesus stayed true to who He was.)
6. Why did Paul mention the return of Christ? (There was hope at the end of the battle.)

 

1 Timothy 6:15-16

Paul went on to share attributes of the Christ who was to return at the proper time. He was the:

• Blessed One
• Only Sovereign
• King of Kings
• Lord of Lords
• Possessor of immortality
• Who dwells in an unapproachable light, which has not been seen by man nor can he see it. There are two examples of this brightness surrounding Jesus. They are found in the accounts of the transfiguration and the blinding light at Paul’s conversion.

 

The only fitting conclusion to all Paul has just said was “To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

 

1. What was the importance to what Paul was saying to Timothy? (He served an awesome Savior.)
2. What do those characteristics say to you?
3. What does it mean to say that Jesus is surrounded by an unapproachable light? (He is too much to take in to our minds.)
4. What do you think of Paul’s concluding remark?

 

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Timothy was to give instruction to those who were wealthy, so they would not be lost because of their wealth. They were to:

• Place their hope on the eternal and not the temporal which they could not take with them anyway beyond this life.
• Understand that it is God who provides that which those things that bring true joy.
• Do good
• Be rich in good works
• Be generous
• Be ready to share
• Store up treasure in heaven
• Take hold of eternal life instead of those things of this world.

 

1. What did Paul want to happen to those who had many possessions?
2. How were they to view their wealth?
3. How could they use it for good?
4. How would their attitude towards the wealth determine there relationship with God?
5. How are we to treat our possessions?
6. What is the most important treasure you possess?
7. Where do you keep it?

 

1 Timothy 6:20-21

One last encouragement and instruction was given to Timothy. Guard carefully what you have been given. He was not get caught up in all of the useless conversation that was taking place in the church. Most arguments stem from the fact that one or the other party does not have any knowledge in a particular subject. That is why it is fruitless to “cast pearls before the swine.” Matthew 7:6 Those who are without knowledge had gone astray from the faith.

 

Paul ends his letter with a blessing on Timothy. He in essence was calling for God’s continued good favor to fall on his son in Christ.

 

1. What does it mean to guard something?
2. What was Timothy to guard?
3. What good would come of getting involved in fruitless chatter?
4. What is the relationship of those without knowledge with God?
5. What do you think of the way Paul ended his letter?
6. What did it show about his relationship with Timothy?

 

• Each day is to be spent as a slave of God obeying and glorifying by our actions and words.
• Work as unto the Lord knowing that each of us has someone in authority over us.
• Although said many times the Bible is to be the standard by which you are to live. Therefore time must be spent in it everyday to grow in the knowledge of God.
• Learn to be content in all areas of your life.
• Understand there are many false teachers out in the world whose only desire is to enslave you to their teachings.
• Encourage others so that they will not stumble in their walk with the Lord.

 

The leaders of the church have an awesome responsibility to proclaim on the truth from God’s word to those who are followers of Jesus. The only way that this can be done is if each of them is a student of the Bible. God made it very clear the importance of His word in John 17:17 where Jesus speaking of his disciples in the high priestly prayer said, “Sanctify them in your word, Your word is truth.” He was saying that each of them was to be consecrated and set apart for the ministry of the infallible word of God. Anyone who follows of these words will produce true followers of Christ. Paul gave us the instructions to bring about such and end. If we but listen to his words of encouragement we can be victorious over the enemy who is out to destroy the church. Anything other than the authoritative word of God is false. We are to be a church that holds that fact to be true.