Modesty - Jesus-Style

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My Child Wants to Be Baptized!

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Dependable Discipleship 08 – Daily Study Themes and Questions – 2 Timothy 2

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Dependable Discipleship 04 – Daily Study Themes and Questions – 1 Timothy 4

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Let’s choose seven themes from this chapter, one for each day of the week, for personal study. We’ll add a parallel passage each day for further thought. Then we’ll pose some questions for thought and discussion, based on this chapter.

DAY 1 – Apostasy (1 Tim 4:1-2). Read also Acts 20:28-32.

DAY 2 – Marriage (1 Tim 4:3). Read also Heb 13:4.

DAY 3 – Food (1 Tim 4:3-5). Read also Col 2:20-23.

DAY 4 – Ministry (1 Tim 4:6-7). Read also 2 Tim 2:14-19.

DAY 5 – Godliness (1 Tim 4:8-11). Read also Heb 5:12-6:3.

DAY 6 – Example (1 Tim 4:12-14). Read also Tit 2:6-8.

DAY 7 – Diligence (1 Tim 4:15-16). Read also 2 Tim 4:1-5.

Questions for Thought and Discussion

“The Spirit explicitly says.” What does that imply?

When are the “later times” or “last days?”

Were these issues already starting to develop?

Can people have true faith, be saved, and then “depart from the faith” and be lost? How?

Is false teaching really that big of a deal? Why?

Why would religious leaders forbid people to marry or to eat? Aren’t marriage and food God’s design?

Is any part of God’s creation inherently evil?

Is all of God’s creation sanctified (devoted to him)?

What traits are necessary for bodily exercise? Apply them to spiritual training.

Does godliness require labor and effort? Are there any shortcuts?

How can a young believer stop others from looking down on (despising) him?

Describe someone whose example has led you to be more like Jesus Christ. Who’s following yours?

If every believer perfectly followed your example, where would the church be … in telling lost people about Christ? In prayer, worship, and Bible study? In giving and benevolence? In leadership?

Why was it vital for Timothy to devote himself to public Scripture reading, exhortation, and doctrine, especially until Paul could come?

Did Timothy necessarily have a miraculous gift?

Do we all have gifts of various kinds, to be used for the growth of God’s kingdom?

Into what dangers and temptations might Timothy fall, if he does not continually take heed?

In what sense can / does / must a faithful child of God “save himself and his hearers?”

Dependable Discipleship 01 – Daily Study Themes and Questions – 1 Timothy 1

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Let’s choose seven themes from this chapter, one for each day of the week, for personal study. We’ll add a parallel passage each day for further thought. Then we’ll pose some questions for thought and discussion, based on this chapter.

DAY 1 – Stop False Teachers! (1 Tim 1:1-4). Read also Tit 1:10-16.

DAY 2 – Stick to God’s Goal! (1 Tim 1:5-7). Read also Phil 3:7-14.

DAY 3 – Set Law in its Place! (1 Tim 1:8-11). Read also Rom 13:1-7.

DAY 4 – Show the Grace of God! (1 Tim 1:12-16). Read also 1 Cor 15:9-10.

DAY 5 – Stress the Glory of God! (1 Tim 1:17). Read also Rom 11:33-36.

DAY 6 – Stay in the Fight! (1 Tim 1:18). Read also 1 Tim 6:12-16.

DAY 7 – Secure Your Ship! (1 Tim 1:19-20). Read also 2 Tim 2:14-19.

Questions for Thought and Discussion

1:1 What does the term “apostle” suggest about Paul’s mission? The authority of his words? How did Paul come to be an apostle? How seriously did he take his role? Have you found the purpose(s) for which Jesus Christ has sent you?

1:2 What does Acts 16:1-5 reveal about Timothy’s background? What does “son in the faith” imply about Timothy? About Paul? For Paul's feelings about Timothy, see Phil 2:19-24; 1 Cor 4:17; 16:10-11; etc. "Timothy" = "one who honors God"

1:3-11 What title would you give this section?

1:3 Locate Macedonia and Ephesus. What primary purpose does Paul have for Timothy’s presence? Why is this so crucial? Is the Lord concerned about doctrine, or only about sincerity?

1:4-5 What are the dangers of teaching what is [1] false, [2] speculative, [3] or controversial? Which is easier: to talk about religion or to practice it? To debate religion or to do it? What gets the church more excited: a juicy controversy or a call to commitment? A powerful test of every sermon, class or discussion: “Does it further God's work or just promote controversies?” What three elements are necessary to produce love? Do I have these? What is a clear conscience worth? What does it take to have one?

1:6 Is it easy or hard to wander (swerve, go astray)?

How can one tell whether a doctrine is false or true?

1:7 Describe a know-it-all teacher or student you have known. Why are the motives of teachers so important? Why do people so readily follow false teachers who sound confident? How can we avoid being deluded and deceived? What is our responsibility as hearers?

What is Timothy's responsibility for the good of the church? What will happen to the church if he does not challenge and rebuke the false teachers? Why is it not very popular today to correct those who teach error? Are people so deter­mined to avoid conflict that they will remain quiet while others are taught lies?

1:9 Would we need laws, if everyone were righteous? Discuss.

1:10 Which of the items in this list are still against the law in the United States? How and why does our culture push for acceptance of sexual license and perversion? Under what circumstances do many people believe that lying is permissible?

1:11 Define “sound.”

1:12-17 What title would you give this section?

What is Paul’s motive for serving Christ? Does grace cause Paul to do less, or to do more?

How could a faithful Christian read this passage and then say, "I'm not sure I'm saved?"

Give three reasons why Paul gives glory to God in worship and in his life.

1. A sense of who God is.

2. A sense of who Paul is.

3. A sense of what God has done for Paul (saving him, putting him into service).

1:18-20 What title would you give this section?

What threefold challenge does Paul put forth to young Timothy?

Is it possible for Christians to suffer shipwreck in regard to their faith?

List Scriptures which indicate that a Christian can fall away.

How can they do so? How can they avoid doing so? What about you?

Why would Paul need to identify Hymenaeus and Alexander by name?

Why and how could Paul deliver these men to Satan? For what purpose?

Dependable Discipleship 03 – Daily Study Themes and Questions – 1 Timothy 3

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Let’s choose seven themes from this chapter, one for each day of the week, for personal study. We’ll add a parallel passage each day for further thought. Then we’ll pose some questions for thought and discussion, based on this chapter.

DAY 1 - The Heart of an Overseer (1 Tim 3:1). Read also 1 Pet 5:1-4.

DAY 2 - The Family of an Overseer (1 Tim 3:2-5). Read also Titus 1:5-11.

DAY 3 - The Traits of an Overseer (1 Tim 3:6-7). Read also Acts 20:28-35.

DAY 4 - The Character, Faith, and Behavior of Deacons (1 Tim 3:8-10, 12-13). Read also Acts 6:1-7.

DAY 5 - The Nature and Lifestyle of Their Wives (1 Tim 3:11). Read also Titus 2:3-4.

DAY 6 - Proper Conduct in God’s Household, the Church (1 Tim 3:14-15). Read also Heb 12:22-29.

DAY 7 - The Mystery of Godliness (1 Tim 3:16). Read also Acts 10:36-43.

Questions for Thought and Discussion

Discuss “overseer,” “elder,” and “shepherd.” What does each term convey?

Why would a godly man passionately desire to work as an overseer?

What kinds of ungodly motivations does this passage rule out?

Discuss: “An overseer is not perfect, but he is blameless and above reproach.”

Why is it crucial that this man be a faithful husband and effective father?

Describe each quality, its significance, and possible reasons for its inclusion here.

What traits of worldly leaders are not listed here?

Why must a recent convert not be appointed?

What are “outsiders,” and how could they disqualify a potential overseer?

How eager is the devil to snare church leaders? Why? How does he try to do it?

What are the spiritual qualities that deacons must have?

How are deacons (the word means “servants”) different from other servants in the church?

In what ways can a wife enhance (or undermine) her husband’s role?

In what sense is the church the pillar and ground of the truth?

Is this ancient hymn about Christ (3:16) simple, profound, or both? Why?