I Timothy (Pastoral letters) Background

Transcription

1 I Timothy (Pastoral letters) Background Who was Timothy? Timothy was the child of a mixed marriage - his mother being Jewish and his father Greek. His home was in Lystra in the Roman Province of Galatia (not far from Konya in present day Turkey.) Timothy probably became a Christian after Paul s first missionary visit to Lystra. He already had solid Jewish training in the Scriptures from his mother and Grandmother. Beyond the tensions created by his mixed racial background, Timothy seemed to struggle with a natural timid character and a sensitivity to his youthfulness. He was not naturally brave and was often unwell. But Paul saw great potential in Timothy and entrusted him with important responsibilities. He joined Paul and Silas on their missionary journeys and because many in their audience would be Jews and concerned about the strict keeping of their traditions, Timothy consented to be circumcised to avoid potential problems. Paul sent Timothy as his personal representative to Corinth during a particularly tense time and he left Timothy in Ephesus to oversee the young church there. As one of Paul s loved, trusted and loyal friends and traveling companions he frequently acted as Paul s envoy to the churches to consolidate and follow up Paul s work. Timothy was with Paul during the apostle s first imprisonment and at the end of his life Paul requested Timothy to join him at Rome. Timothy was not an apostle but rather an apostolic representative commissioned to carry out special work. If Timothy had lived in our generation we would have described him as an introvert. He evidently shrank from difficult tasks, so Paul in writing to the Corinthians (1Cor. 16:10,11) had to pave the way for him and his mission. Several times in the second letter to Timothy, he exhorted him to take his share of suffering and not be afraid or ashamed since God had not given him a spirit of cowardice. (II Tim. 1:7-8, 2:3, 3:12, 4:5) These admonitions were evidently necessary and Paul knew Timothy s weakness. He was more disposed to lean rather then to lead. This then was Timothy - young in years, frail in physique, retiring in disposition who nevertheless was called to exacting responsibilities in the church of God which he was somewhat reluctant to accept. 1

2 Author: Written to: Date: Setting: Key verse: Key word: Purpose: Theme: Paul (Some objections in recent years based on uncharacteristic vocabulary and style.) Timothy, a native of Lystra (in his 20's or 30's at this time), but also to a wider readership. Between AD (after Acts 28), near the end of Paul s life. Paul had sent Timothy to Ephesus to counter the false teaching that had arisen there. Timothy probably served for a time as the leader of the church there. Paul hoped to visit Timothy, but in the meantime, he wrote this letter to give Timothy practical advice about the ministry. Chapter 4:12. Don t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. godly or godliness Instruction and encouragement to a young leader in how to build a church in a way that pleases God. Two themes intertwine throughout 1 Timothy: the true nature of the Christian church (1 Tim. 3:14-15) and the true nature of Christian love (1 Tim. 1:5) Outline 1. Chapter 1 Instruction on right belief - A personal word 2. Chapter 2-3 Instruction for the church - The Ministry 3. Chapter 4-6 Instructions for leaders - The Minister 2

3 Chapter 1 Read vv A. How was Paul an apostle by the command of God? See Acts 13:1-2 B. How does he qualify as an apostle? 2. What two attributes of God are pointed out in the first verse? 3. What does it mean to you to have Jesus as your hope? 4. What do you remember about the city of Ephesus? 5. What hint are we given in verse 3 that would indicate Timothy s desire? 6. What heresies was Timothy to countermand? 7. What senseless or irrelevant questions have you ever been involved in that diverted attention away from the Gospel? 3

4 Note: Following are some of the heresies that threatened the church and which early missionaries needed to counteract: (some contradicted themselves) The spirit is good: matter is evil. One must follow ceremonies, rituals and restitutions in order to be saved or perfected. One must deny the body and live in strict asceticism. Angels must be worshiped. Christ could not be both human and divine. One must obtain secret knowledge in order to be saved or perfected and this was not available to everyone. One must adhere to human wisdom, tradition and philosophies. It is even better to combine aspects of several religions. There is nothing wrong with immorality. 8. What characteristics mark the heretic? 9. By contrast what characterizes the Christian thinker? 10. When have you ever, in love, been able to present the truth and hopefully influenced another? 11. What other problem seemed to be prevalent in Ephesus? Read vv What is the proper use of the law and for whom is it to be used? 13. Since Christians are also sinners what constrains them and guides them onto the right path? 4

5 14. List and describe the sins and vices which describe the world in which the early Christians lived. 15. What glorious hope could change such a world and cleanse the lives of such people, and how? 16. To whom have you transmitted that faith? Read vv What attributes of God are evident in these verses? (Give verses and explain) 18. How have you seen or experienced these things in your life? 19. Why is Paul so grateful and for what does he thank God? 20. What beautiful attribute does Paul display here? 21. How could this review of his life have been a help to Timothy? 5

6 22. Which verse states the Gospel? 23. What advice does Paul give to Timothy? 24. The word fight in verse 18 actually means campaign. How is a campaign different from a battle and apply it to the Christian life. 25. What two weapons did Timothy need which we need also in order to be effective ministers of God? 26. What dulls your conscience? 27. What do you think the phrase handed over to Satan means? 6

7 Chapter 2 Read vv What is the number one priority of a meaningful ministry? (See also Acts 6:1-4, and Eph. 6:18-19) 2. What are the four directives regarding prayer and explain their meaning. 3. A. For whom are we to pray? B. Who was in power when Paul gave this directive? C. How do you pray for our government leaders? Be specific. 4. Why is this to be done? What is the purpose? 5. Why do we need a mediator? 6. Who is that one mediator and what makes Him uniquely qualified to be our go between? 7. What attributes of Christ do you find in this passage? (Explain) 7

8 8. What does Paul say of himself? (Explain) Read vv What three hindrances in verse 8 can interfere with our prayers being answered? (Explain their meaning) 10. What area of submission or impropriety interfere with your holy walk as a man/woman of God. Or what troubled relationship would God want you to heal, what person needs you forgiveness? 11. Reading verses 9 and 10 in their historical context what general principles apply to women then and now? 12. What do verses 11 and 12 mean to you? 13. Does this mean that women cannot minister to men? 14. Does this mean women are second class citizens or less important than men? 15. Why are these directives given? 16. Do you think this prohibits women from teaching or working in other capacities in the church? Why or why not? Give scriptural reasons for your answer. 17. What do you think verse 15 means? 8

9 Chapter 3 Read vv What would be the equivalent office of overseer in our church? 2. What is the work of the overseer according to the following verses? 1 Tim. 3:2 1 Tim. 3:4 1 Tim. 5:17 Acts 20:28 Acts 20: List the 14 characteristics of a godly overseer and comment on the meaning or significance of each

10 4. Do you think this office was meant for men, women or both? Give reasons for your answer. Read vv What is the meaning of the word deacon? 6. Look up Acts 6:1-6. What did the first deacons in the early church do and why? 7. What is the equivalent office of deacons in our church? 8. What qualifications are given for deacons and give their meaning or significance. 9. Who do you think the women are to whom Paul is referring in verse 11? 10. What are their qualifications? 11. Why is it important to choose church leaders and workers with such care? 12. What are two of the rewards enjoyed by men and women who serve in the church. 13. Is there a characteristic listed which God might have you improve on so that your service in God s church would be more God honoring and effective? 10

11 Read vv A. Why did Paul list all these specific individual characteristics for Timothy? B. What one word describes what all leaders should strive for? C. Why is that such an important attribute for Pastors and church leaders? 15. Can you find embedded in verse 15 the four descriptions or function of the church? (Explain) What six truths or attributes of Christ are given in verse 16? (Explain their meaning) As a member of God s family what do you see as your proper responsibility? 11

12 Chapter 4 Read vv To what time period does later times refer? 2. Who or what is the source of false teaching? 3. How do these false teachings come to us? 4. How can you protect yourself and avoid being influenced by false teachings? 5. Give an example of false teaching you have recognized in our day. 6. What error in teaching were the false leaders guilty of? 7. A. Why was that teaching wrong? B. Can you offer biblical proof for your answer? 8. How are marriage and food to be received? 9. What is the very subtle danger in the life style suggested by the false teachers? 12

13 Read vv What two excellent teaching methods does Paul suggest? Why are they good? (Give verse) 11. To be a good leader one must first be a good follower or learner. Why is that? 12. How does one train oneself to be godly? 13. What is the goal of the Christian life? 14. What steps can you take today to further your growth and training in godliness? Read vv How was Timothy to counteract criticism of his youth? 16. How can love and purity silence criticism? 13

14 Love Purity 17. As a minister of God what were Timothy s main duties? What do they include? 18. Paul pairs together two qualities which make for an excellent Christian leader. What are they? 19. What sort of influence do you have on others? 14

15 Chapter 5 Read vv What principles should guide Pastors in their relationship with their people? (Which is good advice to all of us.) 2. In what two ways are widows to be cared for? 3. Why are widows in such dire straits in Paul s days? 4. How does our care for widows and the elderly differ from the way they were cared for in Paul s days? 5. For what family member could you show more encouragement and support? 6. What is the responsibility of the widow? 7. How could our church provide an avenue of service for our widows? 8. Do you think God intended widows to live on charity or help themselves as much as possible? Give reasons for your answer. 9. What does Paul suggest to younger widows and why? 15

16 10. A. What is the danger in idleness? B. What is the most logical way to avoid this? 11. Is the church to support all widows? Read vv What is the church s twofold responsibility toward their elders? 13. Is there ever occasion for pastoral discipline? When and how? 14. Why do you think the rebuke should be public? 15. As a parishioner what could you do to encourage your pastor? Read vv Why is it important for Pastors and church workers not to show favoritism? 17. Why should care be taken in the laying on of hands? (To ordain man) 18. One quality of importance for a Pastor is spoken of at the beginning and end of this chapter. What is it? (Give verse) 19. What reason is given in verses 24 and 25 for the careful choosing of church workers? 16

17 Chapter 6 Read vv What two general principles do you find which could apply in any work situation? 2. How could you show more diligence and respect to anyone God has placed over you? Read vv What characteristics reveal false teachers? (Give verse) 4. What do you think brings contentment to most people? 5. Why is godliness such an asset? 6. What kind of temptation or harmful desire does wanting riches cause? 7. How can you stay away from envy, greed and the love of money? 17

18 8. Is it wrong to be wealthy? 9. What is the pitfall concerning money? 10. What things can money not buy? Read vv How do you think Timothy felt when Paul addressed him as man of God. 12. List and define noble qualities the man of God is to pursue Write the verbs used in verses 11 and 12. What does this tell you about the life of faith? 14. In pursuing godliness what might God want you to do, share or give up that would further your obedience or enhance the work in His kingdom? 15. List the attributes of God which should cause us to honor and glorify Him. (Give verse) 18

19 16. What commands are given to the rich? (Ephesus was a wealthy city - a banking center of its day) See if you can find the meaning of the name Timothy. 18. What is the importance of guarding what has been entrusted to us as Christians? (Especially Pastors, teachers and parents) 19. What in our day would fall under the category of godless chatter? 20. Why are such debates futile? 19