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1 Timothy 1:1-3:13 Part 1 – 1 Timothy 1:1-3:13 Growth Group Study Booklet Living for Jesus By making, maturing and mobilising disciples For His Glory Part 1 – 1 Timothy 1:1-3:13 Introduction to 1 Timothy - Page 3 Suggested Reading - Page 4 Space for notes - Page 5 Study 1 – 1 Timothy 1:1 -11 - Page 6 Study 2 – 1 Timothy 1:12-17 - Page 8 Study 3 – 1 Timothy 1:18-20 - Page 10 Study 4 – 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - Page 12 Study 5 – 1 Timothy 2:8-15 - Page 14 Study 6 – 1 Timothy 3:1-7 - Page 16 Study 7 – 1 Timothy 3:8-13 - Page 18 Space for notes - Page 20 Crucial questions about Biblical manhood & womanhood Page 22 An elder’s job description - Page 24 Map & infographic - Page 26 Diary Dates 1 Timothy Series commences Sunday July 17 Seniors lunch Tuesday July 19 “Jesus in a Multi-Faith Society” Wednesday July 27 GROW Conference Saturday September 3 School Holidays begin Saturday September 17 Y Conference Saturday October 8 1 Timothy Series recommences Sunday October 9 Free Community Parenting Seminar Monday October 24 Carols in the Carpark Sunday December 11 2 Introduction to 1 Timothy The apostle Paul probably wrote this letter to Timothy in the mid-60s A.D., after his first release from imprisonment. Timothy was a pastor in Ephesus. The thrust of 1 Timothy is that godliness is central to the Christian’s continuing in the gospel and the church’s proclamation of the gospel. Words relating to “godliness” occur ten times in this short book (2:2, 10; 3:16; 4:7, 8; 5:4; 6:3, 5, 6, 11), and throughout the letter Paul grounds godly behaviour in Christ’s gospel. Sadly, those whose behaviour is contrary to the gospel of Christ deny the reality of their faith (1:6, 19–20; 4:1; 5:6, 8, 11–12; 6:9–10). Indeed, personal godliness (Christ-infused godliness) is not only indispensable to perseverance in faithfulness, but absolutely essential to the proclamation of the gospel to the lost world. In a nutshell, the theme of 1 Timothy is Christ-centred godliness for the sake of the gospel. This gospel theme is explicit in 2:1–7, where Paul urges that prayers be made for all people so that believers may lead godly lives. He comments, “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2:3–4). Paul follows this declaration of God’s gospel heart with consecutive detailed directives for godliness to three groups: women (2:9–15), overseers (3:1–7), and deacons (3:8–13). These instructions are followed by what are the universally acknowledged key verses of the letter (3:14–16), calling the church to conduct that is radically Christ-centred and Christ-generated—which is to say, gospel-centred godliness. Chapter 4 begins with a warning against pursuing godliness through man-centred asceticism, which Paul terms the “teaching of demons” (4:1–5). This is followed by the famous non-ascetic command to Timothy to “train yourself for godliness” and its accompanying array of applications and benefits (4:7–16). Chapter 5 flows into chapter 6 with directives regarding how the treatment of various groups in the church must be shaped by godliness: older men and women, younger men and women (5:1–2), widows (5:3–16), elders (5:17–25), and masters (6:1–2). In chapter 6 Paul warns against those who teach a different doctrine that “does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness” (6:3–5). Godliness and greed are juxtaposed (6:6–10). Paul closes by exhorting Timothy, “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” And, in this Christlike spirit, “Fight the good fight of the faith” (6:11–16). So we see that 1 Timothy is not simply a moralistic manual for church conduct. It is rather a call to Christ-centred, gospel-centred godliness for the sake of the church—and a lost world. From the Gospel Transformation Bible, Study Notes for 1 Timothy by R. Kent Hughes. 3 Suggested Reading Some recommendations for further reading related to the content and themes of 1 Timothy: The Message of 1 Timothy & Titus Designed for Joy By John Stott Jonathan Parnell & Owen Strachan A highly recommended helpful and “How the Gospel Impacts Men and readable introductory commentary. Women, Identity and Practice” 50 Crucial Questions about Church Elders: How to Shepherd Manhood and Womanhood God’s People Like Jesus By John Piper & Wayne Grudem By Jeramie Rinne A free eBook covering controversial An introductory book describing what questions about Biblical manhood & effective church leadership looks like. womanhood (www.desiringgod.org) Resources used in preparing this study booklet: - John Stott, The Message of 1 Timothy & Titus, The Bible Speaks Today Commentary Series (1996). - George W. Knight III, The Pastoral Epistles, New International Greek Testament Commentary Series (1992). - R. Kent Hughes and Bryan Chapell, 1-2 Timothy and Titus: To Guard the Deposit, Preaching the Word Commentary Series (2012) - John Stott, 1 Timothy & Titus: Fighting the Good Fight, John Stott Bible Studies, IVP (1998). - Phillip D. Jensen & Greg Clarke, To the Householder (1 Timothy), Interactive Bible Studies, Matthias Media (1996). - The ESV Gospel Transformation Bible, Crossway Publishers (2013). - The ESV Study Bible, Crossway Publishers, 2008. - Websites: www.visualunit.me ; www.desiringod.org ; www.9marks.org ; visualtheology.church 4 Notes 5 STUDY 1 1 Timothy 1:1-11 Kick Off: Why is it useful for a country to have laws? Do you think Australia has too many laws, not enough, or the right amount? Key Verse: 1 Timothy 1:5 Big Idea: Christians must fight to live out the gospel with love and righteousness Investigate: Read 1 Timothy 1:1-2 1. Based on the following verses, what do we know about Timothy and his history with Paul? (You may wish to have different people look up different verses and report back.) Acts 16:1-5 Acts 17:13-15; 18:5-6; 19:21-22 Romans 16:21; 1 Cor 4:17; 2 Cor 1:1, 19 Phil 2:19-24 2. From verses 1-3, what was Timothy’s current task? (See also 1 Tim. 1:18-20; 3:14-15) 3. Read 1 Timothy 1:3-7. How would you describe the two different approaches to the Christian life found in these verses? 4. Read 1 Timothy 1:8-11. “The law” is referring to the Bible’s moral teaching such as the 10 Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount. a) In contrast to the false teachers, how does Paul say we should use the law properly? 6 b) Compare Paul’s list of examples of law-breaking with the 10 commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). What similarities do you see? c) Based on verses 8-11, what is the relationship between the law and the gospel? Do they contradict or complement each other? Think & Apply: 5. Do you feel confident in detecting false teaching when you encounter it? What can you do to increase your discernment between false and true teaching? 6. This week, what is one particular way that you can live a life of love that conforms to the gospel? (This doesn’t need to be anything unusual or dramatic.) Prayer: In your group prayer time: 1. Share prayer requests and pray for one another in your group. 2. Use a copy of the Lakeshore Church prayer points (either from Sunday’s bulletin or from the weekly email) to pray for people and events across the church. Read Ahead: For next week’s sermon and growth group, read 1 Timothy 1:12-17 7 STUDY 2 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Kick Off: Do you have any favorite Bible verses or quotes which sum up the Christian message? Key Verse: 1 Timothy 1:15 Big Idea: Jesus the Eternal King is incredibly merciful and patient with unworthy and sinful people like us Investigate: Read 1 Timothy 1:12-14 1. How does Paul describe himself and his actions? How does Paul describe Jesus and his actions? What do we learn from the contrast between the two? 2. What do you think that Paul means when he says, “I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief” in verse 13? Read 1 Timothy 1:15-17 3. Do you think that verse 15 could be used as a one-sentence summary of the Christian message? What does Paul mean when he describes himself as “the worst of sinners”? 4. Paul describes his testimony as an example of Jesus’ perfect or “immense” patience in verse 16. Why is the reality of Jesus’ patience such good news for people like us? Think & Apply: 5. Share some examples of ways that you’ve experienced Jesus’ mercy and patience in your life. 8 6. How should Jesus’ crystal clear focus on his mission to save sinners (verse 15) shape our agenda and activities as a church? 7. How are you doing at being gracious and patient in your relationships with others? How might remembering Jesus’ mercy and patience towards you help you to grow in this? Prayer: In your group prayer time: 1. Share prayer requests and pray for one another in your group. 2. Use a copy of the Lakeshore Church prayer points (either from Sunday’s bulletin or from the weekly email) to pray for people and events across the church.
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