4. Amazing Grace
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Day One Study
1. For background information, read about Paul’s conversion in Acts 7:54–8:3; 9:1-31; 22:3-5; 22:19-20; 26:9-11 and Galatians 1:13-14. What information is given about Paul’s life before he met the risen Christ? How was his life changed?
2. Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17. Discuss what Paul says about himself in verses 13 and 15?
3. For what did Paul thank God? Why?
4. Define mercy. See also Psalm 103:13-14, Ephesians 2:4-7 and Romans 5:8.
5. What does this reveal about God’s character? How does this encourage you?
6. How did God show Paul grace?
Focus on the Meaning: What is grace? Grace is that which God does for mankind through His Son, which mankind cannot earn, does not deserve, and will never merit. It is God’s unmerited favor in spite of the response of humanity. It is summed up in the name, person, and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Chuck Swindoll)
7. Adorning Yourself: How does He show it to us today? How can we show it to others?
8. What “trustworthy saying” does Paul cite in 1 Timothy 1:15? Why does it deserve “full acceptance”?
Focus on the Meaning: “Trustworthy saying” in Greek is Pistos ho logos, literally, “faithful the word.” The phrase is found only in the Pastoral Epistles. See also 1 Timothy 3:1, 2 Timothy 2:11,and Titus 3:8. It is used to describe statements that ought to be regarded as fully reliable – a nonnegotiable truth.
9. How was Paul an example of Christ’s unlimited patience?
10. Adorning Yourself: How have you experienced Christ’s patience? Where would we be if God were not patient, merciful and gracious to us? Read 2 Peter 3:9. Thank God for His unlimited patience this week! Ask God for His strength to be more patient with others.
Day Two Study
11. What can we learn about the character of God from the “doxology” Paul writes in verse 17?
Focus on the Meaning: Amen—The word comes from a Hebrew root meaning, “to be firm, steady, trustworthy.” It is used in the Old Testament by a congregation or an individual to accept both the validity of an oath and its consequences (see Numbers 5:22, Deuteronomy 27:15-16, Jeremiah 11:5) as well as a response to a benediction. By the time of the New Testament, the word was regularly used at the close of prayers and doxologies to agree with the ideas and sentiments that had just been expressed.
12. What does the doxology tell you about Paul’s relationship with God?
13. Read 1 Timothy 1:18-20. What is the “good fight” Paul urged Timothy to fight (see also 1 Timothy 6:12)?
14. What part do faith and a good conscience play in engaging in this battle?
15. Paul noted that some believers had shipwrecked their faith. Why would Christians do this?
16. Paul had handed Hymenaeus and Alexander over to Satan, removing them from the church fellowship. Hymenaeus’ error is described in 2 Timothy 2:17-18. Why would Paul do something like this? (See also 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15.)
17. Adorning Yourself: For the sake of the rest of the members, a local church body cannot support error-filled teaching. How do you determine whether you are drawn to teaching that is true to the gospel or could be filled with errors? What are some of the “red flags” that you look for or listen for in someone’s teaching?
Related Topics: Curriculum
3. Confusing Legalism With Godliness
1 Timothy 1:7-11
Background
One of the problems affecting the church in Ephesus was legalism or asceticism. These are characterized by a denial of good things. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines asceticism as “practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline.” Webster’s dictionary defines legalism as “strict, often too strict and literal, adherence to law.” Chuck Swindoll says that “legalism invariably denies the principle of GRACE and exalts the PRIDE of man.”
Day One Study
1. Read 1 Timothy 1:7-11 and 4:3-5. Who is Paul describing? What does he tell us about them?
Scriptural Insight: The Law (1 Timothy 1:7-8) refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, written by Moses, also called the Pentateuch.
2. Read Romans 1:21-22 and Titus 1:10-11. What do these passages add to what you learn from 1 Timothy 1:7?
3. Read 1 Timothy 1:8-11. In contrast to false teaching, Paul affirmed the right use of the law. What is it? (See also Galatians 3:19, 24, Romans 7:4-8; 12; 8:1-4)
Think About It: “The law is like a mirror – it can show you that there is a problem, but it can’t provide a solution.” (Tim Stevenson, sermon July 18, 1999)
4. For whom is the Law intended, according to verses 1 Timothy 1:9-10?
5. Read Exodus 20:3-17. Compare Paul’s list of examples in 1 Timothy 1:9-10 to the Ten Commandments just read in Exodus. Why do you think this parallel is significant?
6. Adorning Yourself: What is the proper use of the law for us today? How might we use it improperly? Is it still important (valid)? Why or why not?
Day Two Study
The word doctrine is a key word of the Pastoral Epistles. Twenty-three of its fifty occurrences in the New Testament are found in Paul’s writings, and of these twenty-three, seventeen are in the Pastoral Epistles. The word means “teaching.”
7. What does Paul mean by “sound teaching” (“sound doctrine”-NIV) in verse 10? See also 1 Timothy 6:3, Titus 1:9 and 2:1. Why is it so important to maintain sound doctrine and refute false teachings?
8. What is the connection between sound doctrine and godly living? Does one lead to the other? Why?
Think About It: “Moral collapse follows upon spiritual collapse.” (C. S. Lewis)
9. Adorning Yourself: What steps do you take to make sure your life is based on sound doctrine? In what ways does the teaching you have received encourage you towards godly living? What part does the will play in choosing to practice what you have learned?
10. What does Paul mean by “the glorious gospel of the blessed God”? (1 Timothy 1:11) Describe this “glorious gospel” in your own words.
Related Topics: Curriculum
2. Teaching with Pure Motives
1 Timothy 1:1-7
Background
Timothy, the recipient of this letter, was a pastor in Ephesus, a harbor city on the west coast of the province of Asia. Ephesus was an important cultural, commercial and religious center. The most prominent feature of Ephesus was its Temple to Artemis or the goddess Diana, a fertility goddess. This temple became one the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. A key livelihood was that of the silversmiths who fashioned silver shrines and images of Diana to sell to the tourist-worshipers. Paul was so successful in his ministry (Acts 19:20) that it threatened their livelihood. Paul wrote this letter several years after his three years spent there. [See also “Who Were Timothy and Titus?” in the Overview.]
Day One Study
1. Read 1Timothy 1:1-7 and 4:1-2. What information is revealed about Timothy?
2. To learn more about Timothy, read the following passages. What do we know about Timothy? What type of person was he? How did Paul regard Timothy?
· Acts 16:1-3—
· 1 Corinthians 4:17—
· 1 Corinthians 16:10-11—
· Philippians 2:19-24—
· 1 Thessalonians 3:2—
· 1 Timothy 4:12—
· Hebrews 13:23—
3. Read 1 Timothy 1:3-6 and 4:1-2. What appears to be the problem plaguing the church in Ephesus?
Historical Insight: What did Paul mean by “myths and endless genealogies (1:4)?” We don’t know exactly what the false teachers in Ephesus were teaching. If they were Jews, they may have devised a complex mythology based on Old Testament genealogies. On the other hand, they may have been forerunners of the groups that became popular in the second century A. D. We call those groups Gnostics from the Greek word gnosis, “knowledge.” Each Gnostic group claimed that one could be saved from futility only by knowing some secret knowledge which that group alone possessed. This secret knowledge they claimed centered around a complex genealogy, beginning with the true “Absolute,” who fathered a secondary deity, who fathered a tertiary deity or deities, and so on.
4. What do the verses in the previous question tell us about the nature and consequences of false teaching?
5. In contrast to false teaching, what is the goal of true teaching (v. 5), and from where does it come?
6. Using a dictionary/Bible dictionary, define these phrases:
· “pure heart”—
· “good conscience”—
· “sincere faith”—
7. Adorning Yourself: How can you live out the goal of love in a society characterized by false and empty teaching?
Day Two Study
8. In 1 Timothy 1:4-5, Paul outlines 2 ways of determining whether a teaching is valid and true. Read the following summary:
Paul paints a double contrast between speculation and faith in God's revelation and between controversy and love for one another. Here are two practical tests for us to apply to all teaching. The first is the test of faith: does it come from God, being in agreement with apostolic doctrine (so that it may be received by faith), or is it the product of fertile human imagination? The second is the test of love: does it promote unity in the body of Christ?...Faith means that we receive it from God; love means that it builds up the church. The ultimate criteria by which to judge any teaching are whether it promotes the glory of God and the good of the church. (John Stott, Fighting the Good Fight)
Does this summary help you understand verses 4-5 in discerning whether a certain teaching might be truth or error? Why or why not?
9. In verse 6, how does someone "stray” (“wander away”-NIV) from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith?
10. What do you suppose Paul means by the phrase "empty discussion" (NET) or "meaningless talk" (NIV)?
11. Adorning Yourself: Pay attention to your conversation this week. How much of your conversation would you describe as "fruitless" or "meaningless?" How much is edifying or uplifting?
Think About It: “By entertaining of strange persons, men sometimes entertain angels unawares; but by entertaining of strange doctrines, many have entertained devils unaware.” (John Flavel)
Related Topics: Curriculum
1. Introduction to Timothy and Titus
“…I am writing these instructions to you in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:14-15 NIV)
Where do we begin? Have you ever heard the saying: “You can’t see the forest for the trees”? The best way to study books of the Bible is to begin with the “forest” – survey the whole – and then proceed to the “trees” – the individual parts. We are going to take the first lesson to acquaint ourselves with both letters.
In our survey, we can identify four major themes that are woven throughout both letters. Together, these will fashion a pattern for the rest of our study to help interpret each lesson in context with Paul’s general design. This lesson will take more time than the rest, as you will be reading through both letters. So, let’s begin…
Day One Study
Read 1 Timothy and Titus to get the feel and atmosphere of each letter and to gain Paul’s perspective on everything that he shares. Identify key words and phrases as well as anything of interest to you. Pay attention to the similarities between the two letters.
Day Two Study
Major Theme #1: Truth vs. Error
The first theme really breaks down into positive versus negative.
1. The POSITIVE: Read all of the verses in each set once or twice, looking for a common word or message, then summarize each set with a short phrase. What does Paul keep emphasizing?
· 1 Timothy 2:7; 4:6, 10-11, 13; 6:2 (end of verse only); Titus 2:1, 15—
· 1 Timothy 5:21; 6:20a (first part); Titus 1:9—
2. Read Romans 1:1-5a, 1 Timothy 1:11-12; 2:4-6; 6:3, 15-16; Titus 1:1-3. What specifically is the truth or sound doctrine?
3. Now, summarize your notes in the two questions above to come up with one common message.
4. The NEGATIVE: Read 1 Timothy 1:3-4, 10 (end of verse) and Titus 1:10-11, 13-16. What is true about those who teach error?
5. Read 1 Timothy 4:7a; 6:20b-21 and Titus 3:9-10. What are we supposed to do when we encounter error?
6. Read 1 Timothy 1:6-7; 4:1-3; 6:3-5; Titus 1:11. Where does error lead?
7. Once again, Paul emphasizes over and over a common message. In your own words, what is Paul teaching them to guard against and why?
8. Read 1 Timothy 1:11-12 carefully. Why is Paul so concerned about his message and his teaching?
9. Certainly you can agree that if Paul made this many comments on the same subject, it should be taken seriously and seen as a pattern woven throughout each letter. What could happen to the local church…therefore you…therefore the world…if we do not seriously and energetically apply Paul’s emphatic message to Timothy, Titus and the church?
10. Adorning Yourself: What specific actions can you or do you take in your daily life to ensure that you don’t wander away from God’s truth or sound doctrine?
Day Three Study
Major Theme #2: Identification of Leadership
11. Theme #2 works hand-in-hand with Theme #1. Read 1 Timothy 1:7; 4:12 and Titus 1:15. Why would Paul give so much instruction to Timothy and Titus about the selection of church leadership?
The next two themes summarize Paul’s interest for Christians to live lives that properly adorn or display the doctrine or belief they claim to profess.
Major Theme #3: Concern for the Reputation of the Church
12. Read 1 Timothy 3:15. Who does “the church” represent, and what is its purpose?
13. Read Titus 2:5b, 8-10. Why is Paul so concerned about the church being “above reproach”, having a “good conscience”?
Major Theme #4: “Do Good Deeds Demonstrating What You Believe”
14. Read 1 Timothy 5:10; 6:18 and Titus 1:8. What are some examples of good deeds?
15. Read 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 4:10; Titus 2:11-14. What should be our motivation for doing good deeds?
16. Read 1 Timothy 6:6, 18-19 and Matthew 6:20. What is the long-term result of doing good deeds?
17. Read 1 Timothy 2:2; 3:16; 4:7-8; 6:3-6; and Titus 1:1. Did you notice how many times the word “godliness” or “godly” appears? In Titus 1:1, what are the key accessories that can help you adorn yourself with godliness?
18. Adorning Yourself: Compare 1 Timothy 1:5 with Titus 1:16. Which “fashion statement” are you pursuing and modeling?
Think About It: “The church, which is invisible, made up of all believers who are in the body of Christ, manifests itself down here upon the earth in local assemblies, in the local churches. Now, just to put a steeple on a building and a bell in the steeple and a pulpit down front and a choir in the loft singing the doxology doesn’t mean it is a local church in the New Testament sense of the word. There must be certain identifying features…In all three epistles Paul is dealing with two things: the creed of the church and the conduct of the church. For the church within, the worship must be right. For the church outside, good works must be manifested. Worship is inside; works are outside. That’s the way the church is to manifest itself.” (J. Vernon McGee, Thru-the-Bible Commentary Series)
Related Topics: Curriculum
Introduction
Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus are called “pastoral epistles” because for the most part they are Paul’s counsel to his assistants who served in the pastoral or shepherd-like function of those local churches, particularly in the regions of Ephesus and Crete.
When Paul visited Ephesus after his release from Roman house arrest, he discovered that during his absence, the church was plagued with all kinds of spiritual problems. The city itself, with all of its corruption and idolatry was proving to be a spiritual battleground for the congregation of believers.
What James Stalker says in The Life of St. Paul applies to all of us,
“If it be remembered how vast was the change which most of the members had made in passing from the worship of the heathen temples to the pure and simple worship of Christianity, it will not excite surprise that their old life still clung to them or that they did not clearly distinguish which things needed to be changed and which might continue as they had been.”
Hold to Truth
All of us have past teaching of some sort, whether within our local churches or outside the church. Teaching that affects our understanding of “the pure and simple worship of Christ.” That is what we should all be seeking. Having faithfully done all he could to develop and teach the truths of the gospel throughout his ministry, Paul is concerned near the end of his life that his faithful disciples would entrust these truths to other faithful Christians who would in turn entrust them to still others, and on and on. Paul viewed this body of truth as a special stewardship from God, to be managed with great care. Since this truth leads to godliness by pointing believers to Jesus Christ, it was the most valuable of treasures. The local church leaders were not only to faithfully teach truth to their congregations but also to sternly resist all attempts to undermine, pollute, or attack the true gospel.
Paul wrote in Galatians 1:6-9 to the Galatians and to us:
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are following a different gospel—not that there really is another gospel, but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell! As we have said before, and now I say again, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be condemned to hell!”
Paul knew even his humanity and his capability of falling into error if he took his eyes off of God. So, he instructed the people that if they heard him teaching another gospel than the gospel of Jesus Christ as it had already been taught to them, they should go back to TRUTH and not even listen to Paul! If the message you hear is contrary to the Gospel already presented, turn away from it. If your pastor or your favorite Internet, TV, or radio teacher starts teaching something contrary to the truth printed within the Word of God, flee from it—turn it off! In other words, don’t get so committed to a man, woman, group, or teacher that when you start hearing extra stuff, or even just “fluff,” that you remain committed to whatever that person says. Stop. Test everything with the Word of God. Read your Bibles. Know the Word of God so well that you can move away from untruth.
In View of the Finished Product
Seamstresses use patterns to create fashion pieces to adorn themselves—a dress, skirt, or blouse. Looking at a single pattern piece for a dress won’t teach you how to make the dress. Looking at the finished product, the picture of the dress, gives you an idea of how the pieces fit together, though. A seamstress has the finished product in mind as she follows the instructions to use all the pattern pieces to construct the dress as it was designed. This is similar to studying the Bible.
To understand how to live as God intended us to live, we need to spend time perfecting our knowledge of Him through His Word—not just pieces every now and then, but diligently familiarizing ourselves with all of it. We need to read through the Bible at least once, not expecting to understand it all, but we will begin to have a grand picture of God and His plan throughout the ages. Before starting a detailed study of a book of the Bible, we need to read the whole book to get a general feel for its message. Like a seamstress, we get a glimpse of the whole picture before putting together the pieces. When studying a specific passage in the Bible, we should read the whole chapter in which it is found to see the context of the passage.
All of these actions require diligent planning similar to the process of a seamstress making a dress. The pieces only make sense as they contribute to the whole dress. We should not be content to adorn ourselves with only one piece of the dress—a sleeve, cuff, or collar—and think we are wearing the completed dress.
Four major themes are woven throughout Paul’s instruction to Timothy and Titus, themes that address the issues facing local churches just like the one you are attending now—issues faced by the pastoral leaders as well as the members.
· Theme #1: Teach and maintain truth and sound doctrine - guard against/avoid error
· Theme #2: Importance of identifying leadership who will faithfully teach truth
· Theme #3: Concern for the reputation of the church, “…so that God may not be dishonored”
· Theme #4: Do good deeds demonstrating what you believe
These themes are like pattern pieces that when put together lead a believer to adorn herself with godliness.
Adorn Yourself with Godliness
The English word “adorn” translates the Greek word kosmeo from which we get our word “cosmetic.” It means, “to arrange, to put in order.” That’s what women do when we style our hair, put on makeup, and dress ourselves. Have you ever thought that as you were applying your make-up, you were actually putting your face in order?! Or, when you get ready for a big interview, you’re actually arranging yourself in such a way by what you wear and how you act to demonstrate that you are truly the right person for the job! And, if you are married, you want the best as you make arrangements for a special dinner with your husband—his favorite meal, as you are adorned with his favorite dress, hairstyle and perfume! Adorning yourself is a good thing.
What is godliness? Godliness is a reverence for God characterized by a Godward attitude, doing that which is well-pleasing to Him, and taking on His likeness—Godlikeness, not becoming God but presenting Him. Attributes of godliness are those same ones found in our Lord Jesus—humility, compassion, love, prayer, dependency on God the Father, and many more. What could be a more beautiful, worthwhile goal than to aspire to adorn yourself with godliness? To put yourself in order with the very character of God? To arrange or live your life properly displaying the beliefs you claim to profess? What could be more beautiful than to dress, act, and be like Him for Him!
Well, 1st Timothy and Titus are full of “fashion” facts so that, as simply stated in Titus 2:10, we can truly …
“…adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.” (NASB)
“…in every way make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” (NIV)
“…make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.” (NLT)
“…bring credit to (adorn, show the beauty of) the teaching of God our Savior in everything.” (NET)
Now, your reaction might be, “That sounds nice; I’ll sit back and watch others do it.” Or, you might think, “I can’t do that.” Be assured that God doesn’t ask us to do something without equipping us to do it.
Jesus promised those who follow Him,
“Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever –the Spirit of truth…But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you. I will not abandon you as orphans, I will come to you." (John 14:16,18)
Paul continued this assurance of help in Philippians 1:6,
“…the One who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
And Peter confidently wrote in 2 Peter 1:3,
“His divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence.”
We have everything we need for godliness through the Spirit of God who lives inside every believer and is continually at work in us. What assurance! We CAN adorn ourselves with godliness because of Jesus’ Spirit in us. We CAN live a godly life because of His Spirit in us.
The word “responsibility” breaks down for the Christian as “my response to His ability.” The how-to has been given us, but most of us struggle with what does godliness look like? Paul writes to women in 1 Timothy 2:9-10:
“Likewise the women are to dress in suitable apparel, with modesty and self-control. Their adornment must not be with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive clothing, but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess reverence [godliness-NAS/worship-NIV] for God.”
We’ll get into a discussion of “suitable apparel” when we get to the lesson covering that passage. For now, why would our adornment be important? Because THEY are always watching. Who are they? Titus 2:7-8 says,
“…showing yourself to be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, and a sound message that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be at a loss, because he has nothing evil to say about us.”
Those who oppose Christ and the Gospel (the “fashion police”) are always watching looking for an excuse not to believe. When we adorn ourselves with godliness, there is nothing for “them” to accuse. Then, the word of God, God’s message to the world that we profess, will not be dishonored or discredited (Titus 2:5).”
Don’t you wish every morning when you approached the mirror to get ready, that you could simply put on ONE THING, or do just ONE THING, that would get the job done? One thing that would present you to the world looking just the way you would like to look. But, we must go through the whole routine: the shower, the hair dryer, the curling iron, the hair spray, the foundation, the rouge, the eye shadow, the eye liner, the eye lash curler, the mascara. Then, we still have to get dressed with all that entails! Really! And we do this to feel presentable to our friends and family. They are not even the fashion police, the opponents!
Though there are several ways to reveal Christ, there is only one thing to put on: Christ! Hebrews 12:2 describes it this way: “keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.” Is that whom you see when you are looking in the mirror in the morning? Focusing your eyes on Jesus at all times will get the job done!
Consider a pistachio in its shell. If you loved pistachios, would pleasure would it give you if you never let it out of its shell to enjoy the taste of its fruit? None! Well, Jesus lives in me, in you as a believer. What if I never let Him live in my world? What pleasure will I give to anyone around me, anyone He has put in my life, if I never let Him out to reveal His fruit? None! Remember this wonderful saying:
He gave His life for you, so He could give His life to you, so He could live His life through you!
Adorn yourself with godliness. Look in the mirror each morning and see who you really are, and then “dress” in such a way to let others see Jesus in you. This isn’t about “acting religious.” This is about “wearing Jesus comfortably!” We (all believers) are the Body of Christ. Paul wants to encourage us in his letters so that we will approach our world every morning as we do our mirrors—getting ready to present His Body to an ugly world, desperately in need of adornment!
Related Topics: Curriculum
Using This Study Guide
The Basic Study
This study guide consists of 19 lessons covering two of Paul’s letters—First Timothy and Titus. Most of the lessons are short. However, if you cannot do the entire lesson one week, please read the Bible passage(s) covered by the lesson.
Process of Bible Study: Each lesson includes core questions covering the passage narrative. These core questions will take you through the process of inductive Bible study—observation, interpretation, and application. The process is more easily understood in the context of answering these questions:
· What does the passage say? (Observation: what’s actually there)
· What does it mean? (Interpretation: the author’s intended meaning)
· How does this apply to me today? (Application: making it personal) Questions identified as “Adorning Yourself” lead you to introspection and application of a specific truth to your life. You will be given opportunity to use creative means to express God’s faithfulness to you in your life’s journey.
Study Enhancements
To aid in proper interpretation and application of the study, five additional study aids are located where appropriate in the lesson:
· Historical Insights
· Scriptural Insights
· From the Greek (definitions of Greek words)
· Focus on the Meaning
· Think About It (thoughtful reflection)
Overview of Paul’s Letters to Timothy & Titus
As a result of Paul’s missionary journeys and the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, local churches were formed. These believers met in homes or wherever they could gather to continue in the apostles’ teachings and to live out the Christian faith among one another as well as among the unbelieving world.
When Paul visited Ephesus after his release from Roman house arrest, he discovered that during his absence, the church was plagued with all kinds of spiritual problems. The city itself, with all of its corruption and idolatry was proving to be a spiritual battleground for the congregation of believers. Having faithfully done all he could to develop and teach the truths of the gospel throughout his ministry, Paul is concerned near the end of his life that his faithful disciples would entrust these truths to other faithful Christians who would in turn entrust them to still others, and on and on. Paul viewed this body of truth as a special stewardship from God, to be managed with great care. Since this truth leads to godliness by pointing believers to Jesus Christ, it was the most valuable of treasures. The local church leaders were not only to faithfully teach truth to their congregations but also to sternly resist all attempts to undermine, pollute, or attack the true gospel.
Paul left 2 of his trusted friends—Timothy in Ephesus and Titus on the island of Crete—to continue the work of teaching the truth and resisting error creeping into the young churches there. These letters we have in our Bible were written to encourage these young pastors, reminding them to teach and train others to be faithful to the true Gospel.
Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus are called “pastoral epistles” because for the most part they are Paul’s counsel to his assistants who served in the pastoral or shepherd-like function of those local churches, particularly in the regions of Ephesus and Crete.
Four major themes are woven throughout Paul’s instruction to Timothy and Titus, themes that address the issues facing local churches just like the one you are attending now—issues faced by the pastoral leaders as well as the members.
· Theme #1: Teach and maintain truth and sound doctrine - guard against/avoid error
· Theme #2: Importance of identifying leadership who will faithfully teach truth
· Theme #3: Concern for the reputation of the church, “…so that God may not be dishonored”
· Theme #4: Do good deeds demonstrating what you believe
Adorn Yourself with Godliness
“Adorn” (from Greek “kosmeo,” source for English “cosmetic”) — primarily to arrange, to put in order
Have you ever thought that as you were applying your make-up, you were actually putting your face in order?! Or, when you get ready for a big interview, you’re actually arranging yourself in such a way by what you wear and how you act to demonstrate that you are truly the right person for the job! And, of course, you want the best as you make arrangements for a special anniversary dinner with your husband—his favorite meal, as you are adorned with his favorite dress, hairstyle and perfume!
“Godliness” — to be devout, denotes piety (reverence) which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him … God-likeness
What could be a more beautiful, worthwhile goal than to aspire to adorn yourself with godliness…to put yourself in order with the very character of God…to arrange or live your life properly displaying the beliefs you claim to profess…to dress, act, and be like Him for Him!
Well, 1st Timothy and Titus are full of “fashion” facts so that, as simply stated in Titus 2:10, we can truly …
“…adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.” (NASB)
“…in every way make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” (NIV)
“…make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.” (NLT)
“…bring credit to (adorn, show the beauty of) the teaching of God our Savior in everything.” (NET)
That is our hope for each of you as you learn from God’s Word through Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus. Look in the mirror each morning and see who you really are, and then “dress” in such a way to let others see Jesus in you. In other words, learn to “wear Jesus comfortably.” After all, we are the Body of Christ! Let’s approach our world every morning as we do our mirrors … getting ready to present His Body to an ugly world, desperately in need of adornment.
Will you choose to adorn yourself with godliness?
Related Topics: Curriculum
Bibliography
Douglas, J.D. and Merrill C. Tenney. The NIV Compact Dictionary of the Bible
Edmund, Raymond Edmund. In Quietness and Confidence
George, Bob. Growing in Grace
Lewis, C. S. Reflections on the Psalms
Life Application Study Bible
Ryrie, Charles. Ryrie Study Bible, 1995 expanded edition
Stedman, Ray. Sermon Notes, January 1989
Tenney, Merrill. The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary
The Teacher’s Commentary
Swindoll, Charles. David
Swindoll, Charles. David, Bible study guide
Swindoll, Charles. Elijah, Man of Heroism and Humility study guide
Swindoll, Charles. Hand Me Another Brick
Vine, W.E., Merrill F. Unger, and William White, Jr. Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words
Walvoord, John and Roy Zuck. Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament
Wilkinson, Bruce. Talk through the Bible
Quotations from Oswald Chambers, Chuck Swindoll, and Jonathan Edwards are named but not sourced.
Related Topics: Curriculum, Faith
11. Nehemiah: An Awesome Leader 2: Building More Than a Wall
Nehemiah 7-13
Day One Study
Setting The Stage…
Use a Bible handbook, Bible text notes, or other sources to find out more information about these:
· Scrolls & writing in Nehemiah’s time—
· The Levites—
Think About It: Nehemiah not only led the people of Judah to rebuild the walls of their city; he had led them to renewed commitment to God and to His revealed will…Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem had given the people a new sense of their identity as God’s people. Success despite opposition had helped them realize that their God was truly among them, as small as their people and land had become. (The Teacher’s Commentary, p. 308, 310)
1. As we ended the last lesson, we read Nehemiah 6:15,16. Read those verses again for review, and then, as the story continues, read Nehemiah 7:1-5. What choices and actions do you observe Nehemiah taking now that the wall is built?
2. Read Nehemiah 8:1-12. One indication of an effective leader is the willingness and the ability to turn the responsibility over, or to share the job of leading with other qualified people. That is what happens as Nehemiah shares the stage (literally) with Ezra and then Ezra helps lead the people further spiritually. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah are actually one book in the Hebrew Bible. (See any introduction material you may have in your Bible at the beginning of the book of Ezra.) What do you learn about Ezra from this passage?
3. How do the people respond to the word of God at this time? Start at the beginning of chapter 8 and trace the people’s responses through verse 12.
Scriptural Insight: Notice that this seems to be a spontaneous gathering. These people come “as one man.” No invitations were sent out. No public notice was given. People were hungry for answers to their problems, for guidelines from the word of God, and with one accord they gathered in this great square before the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the priest to bring the book of the Law of the Lord and to read it to them. This would undoubtedly be the entire Pentateuch—the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. This indicates the tremendous desire of these people for the truth. They listened, while standing, from daybreak until noon! Certainly this long attention indicates how deeply they were aware of their ignorance about life and how much they needed answers from God. (Ray Stedman, Sermon Notes, January 1989)
4. Your Life’s Journey: Recall the problems and challenges of Nehemiah 1-6 covered in the last lesson. God’s people went through hard times, yet there was a time for celebration and joy. What do you celebrate? What brings you joy? List the three things that come first to your mind in each of these areas. Use any creative means to illustrate your joy.
5. Read Nehemiah chapter 9. Nehemiah 9:5-38 is the longest recorded prayer in the Bible, and it recalls the highlights of Israel’s history. Some of us are inclined to be indifferent to history, but as you read this prayer, observe the very personal involvement of God in the history of the Jewish people, and remember that God does not change. God is the same yesterday, today and forever.
· Write out as many of the actions of God as you can in the space below.
· What jumps out at you the most?
· Write our own prayer recalling God’s faithfulness through the years to you.
Day Two Study
So the city of Jerusalem grew. Chapters 11 and 12 of Nehemiah detail this growth.” Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in other cities. And the people blessed the men who volunteered to remain in Jerusalem.” (Nehemiah 11:1,2)
6. The wall has been built, the gates are hung, the city is now well defended and filled with people. The time for dedication and celebration has come. Read Nehemiah 12:27-47. Describe the celebration in your own words.
7. Read Nehemiah 10:28-39. Before the celebration in chapter 10, the people made some covenant agreements with God. What are the major elements of the agreement?
8. Read Nehemiah 13:1-31. These events occurred ten years later. What were some of the ways in which the people fell back into disobedience?
9. What did Nehemiah do about these situations?
Think About It: Nehemiah’s actions were extreme. Chuck Swindoll offers the following comments on what he calls “taking problems by the throat.” Nehemiah faced the wrong head-on. He dealt with the wrong severely. Nehemiah worked toward a permanent correction and always followed up with prayer…The final scene in Nehemiah’s book portrays him on his knees asking God for grace. He fought hard for the right, but he had kept his heart soft before the Lord. What a magnificent model of leadership. He was a man of honesty, conviction and devotion. (Chuck Swindoll, Hand Me Another Brick, p. 179)
Nehemiah was a leader of a great many people. Yet, God has given each of us people whose lives are intertwined with ours as well. Some of those people (younger, older, or the same age) follow us.
10. Your Life’s Journey: Think about the ones who are following you. What kind of a leader do you think you are to them? Specifically, as we are examining dealing with sin, how do you normally react to wrong in the lives of those who follow you, or those people whose lives are closely linked to your own?
11. Your Life’s Journey: What in Nehemiah’s life encourages you to persevere?
Related Topics: Curriculum, Faith
Conclusion: Finishing Well
This lesson is a summary of what we learned throughout this whole study. You will be asked to review your lessons from each section. This should involve a time of reflection as well as evaluation.
Day One Study
Read Hebrews 12:1-3. This has been our key passage for the study. Review the lesson titled “What Is Perseverance?” Skim through the questions and your answers as well as the boxes.
1 What does it mean to run the race of life with PERSEVERANCE?
2. What does the phrase “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” have to do with how we “run?”
3. How does this benefit us?
Joseph: A Man Of Faith
4. Review the 3 lessons from the life of Joseph.
· What one thing from Joseph’s life would you like to remember?
· What is the most encouraging thing about living a life of faith that you have learned from studying Joseph’s life?
David: The Man After God’s Own Heart
5. Review the 3 lessons from the life of David.
· What one thing from David’s life would you like to remember?
· What is the most encouraging thing about living a life of faith that you have learned from studying David’s life?
Day Two Study
Elijah: God’s Humble Prophet
6. Review the 3 lessons from the life of Elijah.
· What one thing from Elijah’s life would you like to remember?
· What is the most encouraging thing about living a life of faith that you have learned from studying Elijah’s life?
Nehemiah: An Awesome Leader
7. Review the 2 lessons from the life of Nehemiah.
· What one thing from Nehemiah’s life would you like to remember?
· What is the most encouraging thing about living a life of faith that you have learned from studying Nehemiah’s life?
May God continually bless you as you run with PERSEVERANCE the race set before us.
Thoughts To Ponder
We have approached the Christian life as a subject to be learned rather than as a life to be lived. You can’t grow in grace in a classroom, through a seminar, or during a “quiet time,” as good as those things may be. As a matter of fact, you cannot grow in grace through reading a book…You can only grow in grace through a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, who teaches you truth from His Word, which you then take out into the rough-and-tumble of real life in the real world. The “curriculum” cannot be planned or anticipated. Through the sovereignty of a loving God, the pathway we will tread in this fallen world will be as unique as each one of us...Whatever the situations in your life may be, that is where you will have to grow in grace...in spite of our personal failures and sins. How? As we focus on what God is doing in the midst of what we are doing (Hebrews 12:1,2). (Bob George, Growing in Grace, p. 13-15)
Related Topics: Curriculum, Faith
10. Nehemiah: An Awesome Leader 1: A Leader Who Prayed and Prayed and Prayed
Nehemiah 1–6
Background
God had promised Israel that if they obeyed Him, He would bless them as a nation. If they did not, then He would judge them and cause them to be taken into captivity (Deuteronomy 28). As God had forewarned, His hand of judgment fell on all of Israel because of their sin. The Northern Kingdom (Israel) fell first and the people were taken into captivity by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. The Babylonians brought about the fall of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) in 586 B.C.
The Israelites of the Northern Kingdom were absorbed into Assyria and eventually into other cultures. However, the people of the Southern kingdom remained intact in Babylon, and after the power of Babylon was broken by the Medes and the Persians in 539 B.C., many Jews returned to their homeland. In 538 B.C. the first group returned to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel (Ezra 1:1-2:2). Over a period of years and tremendous opposition from the Samaritans, the returnees eventually succeeded in rebuilding the temple in 515 B.C. Ezra, the priest, then led another return to Israel and restored worship in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. Nehemiah also returned in 444 B.C., 14 years after Ezra’s return to Jerusalem, and God used him to guide Judah in rebuilding the city’s walls and in reordering the people’s social and economic lives. What he accomplished in a brief period of time was an incredible feat. How he accomplished this goal is one of the major emphases in the book that bears his name. (Adapted from The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament, Walvoord and Zuck, p. 673)
Early in the book Nehemiah is employed as cupbearer to the King of Persia. Though Nehemiah retains this position throughout the time of the events of the book of Nehemiah, different roles take precedence in his life at different times. Midway through the book Nehemiah is the builder of the wall around Jerusalem, and in the third part of the book, Nehemiah is the governor of the city and surrounding sections of Jerusalem. The book of Nehemiah is a personal account written by Nehemiah himself. No information is given about Nehemiah’s childhood, his adolescent years, or even about his family, with the exception of his father’s name (Hacaliah) and one brother (Hanani). Nehemiah begins with Israel in a condition of breakdown and ruin, then grows into a place of peace, security, restored order and usefulness.
Reading Nehemiah’s Life In Context (Optional):
Read all of Ezra, Esther & Nehemiah to get the “Big Picture” for the 2-lesson study of Nehemiah. As you read the book of Nehemiah, notice the personal, eyewitness perspective of this record. The book of Nehemiah is a diary, journal, or memoirs written by Nehemiah himself. As the book of Nehemiah begins, Nehemiah is employed as cupbearer to the King of Persia, King Artaxerxes.
Day One Study
Setting The Stage…
Use a Bible handbook, Bible text notes, or other sources to find out more information about the time period in which Nehemiah lived. Suggested topics to research:
· Persian kings and government—
· The significance of city walls and gates—
· Sackcloth—
Historical Insight: “…It was the cupbearer’s responsibility to taste the king’s wine before it was served to make sure that no one had poisoned it. In those days of totalitarian monarchs, assassination was the only way one could be removed from office. The usual method was to poison his food or his wine. This was a dangerous job Nehemiah had. It is obvious that he had to be a man of unlimited integrity and trustworthiness. The king relied upon him to keep him safe. He must always be above suspicion, keeping the king’s trust at all times. If the king grew suspicious or distrustful, Nehemiah’s life would be in danger. He would not only lose his job, he could also lose his head.” (Ray Stedman, Sermon notes, January 8, 1989)
1. Read Nehemiah 1:1-11. What was Nehemiah concerned about at this time?
2. How did Nehemiah respond to the news he was given?
3. What does Nehemiah’s response reveal about this character?
4. What do you observe about the spiritual condition of God’s people at this time? (Nehemiah 1:6,7)
5. Reading Nehemiah 1:5-11 again, what do you learn about who God is, from Nehemiah’s prayer? List your observations in the space below.
6. As Nehemiah prays, do you think his focus is more on who God is, or more on the immediate situation? Explain your answer.
7. Your Life’s Journey: Think of one or two areas in your life that most concern you at this time.
· When you pray for these situations or people, do you tend to focus more upon God and His power, or upon the situation?
· How do you think focusing more upon God and who He is might affect your ability to persevere through these times?
8. Read Nehemiah 2:1-8. Nehemiah received the report about Jerusalem and began praying in the month of Kislev (November-December) and now it is Nisan (March-April), four months of praying later. What do you observe Nehemiah choosing to say and do in this time of opportunity before the King?
9. Take a moment to think about this scene, with Nehemiah in front of the King of Persia. Remember the job description of a cupbearer and that the King had the power to put anyone to death if that person displeased him or caused him to suspect them of allegiance to someone else. What other choices could Nehemiah have taken at this time?
Historical Insight: Nehemiah faced many difficult issues as he pressed on and led God’s people through the task of rebuilding the wall. But the importance of the task was indisputable. The wall of an ancient city symbolized strength and protection. The building of the walls would fill the need for security and strength among the inhabitants. For instance, the walls of the city of Babylon as recounted in the story of Daniel were some 380 feet thick and over 100 feet high, therefore the city of Babylon was considered very safe! The ruins of the wall around Jerusalem had been there for over 100 years and approximately 1.5 miles of the wall needed to be rebuilt to a thickness of 9 feet.
Day Two Study
10. As time allows read through Nehemiah 2:11-6:19 (or just read the specific verses listed). Determine what is the problem/challenge presented and Nehemiah’s response. Take special note of the role of prayer in these situations.
· Nehemiah 2:10; 19-20—
· Nehemiah 2:17-18—
· Nehemiah 4:1-6—
· Nehemiah 4:7-9—
· Nehemiah 4:10-15—
· Nehemiah 6:1-9—
11. Your Life’s Journey: Looking back over the previous question, what are some of the lessons you learn from the responses of Nehemiah and the people, and how do these lessons both encourage and teach you positive ways to deal with challenges and problems in your own life?
Think About It: One of the most helpful things that we can do to resist temptation {or distractions} is to remember that God has called us to a great task. This is true of every believer in Christ. I do not care how young or old you are in the Lord, you are called to a tremendous work today. That task is: to model a different lifestyle so that those who are being ruined by wrongful practices will see something that offers them hope and deliverance. If they see in you peace in the midst of confusion, an invisible support that keeps you steady and firm under pressure, they will learn that there is another way to live than the destructive ways they have chosen. That is the great work that God has called us to. We ought never to give allegiance to anything less. (Ray Stedman, Sermon notes, January 29, 1989)
12. Your Life’s Journey: Nehemiah was a special man for a special time, but that also can be said for each of us. Where do you think God has placed you in order to accomplish His purposes? Or, what position and/or responsibility do you hold that might be useful in bringing about good in the lives you touch?
“So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. And it came about when all of our enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” Nehemiah 6:15-16
Related Topics: Curriculum, Faith