Dependable Discipleship 05 – Daily Study Themes and Questions – 1 Timothy 5

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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 consideration. Then we’ll pose some questions for thought and discussion.

DAY 1 – Church = Family (1 Tim 5:1-2). See also 1 John 3:16-24.

DAY 2 – Widows with Families (1 Tim 5:3-8). See also Matt 15:3-9.

DAY 3 – Older and Younger Widows (1 Tim 5:9-16). See also Acts 6:1-7.

DAY 4 – Honor and Rebuke (1 Tim 5:17-20). See also 1 Cor 9:6-18.

DAY 5 – Caution and Fairness (1 Tim 5:21-22). See also Tit 2:6-8, 15.

DAY 6 – Medicinal Use of Wine (1 Tim 5:23). See also 1 Tim 3:3, 8.

DAY 7 – Exposure Sooner or Later (1 Tim 5:24-25). See also Mark 4:22.

Questions for Thought and Discussion

Describe some traits of a healthy, faithful marriage and family. How does each person treat the others?

How can we treat every older Christian man as if he were our own father, each older woman as our mother, and so forth?

In what place must Christians first put their faith into practice? Why?

What kind of professing believer has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever? Why?

How could a bereaved woman use her widowhood to draw closer to the Lord?

Could a widow voluntarily commit herself to forego remarriage for spiritual purposes? Discuss.

Which widows should be put on the church’s list? For what purpose?

Note other Scriptures that show God’s deep, compassionate concern for widows.

How could widows “give the adversary an opportunity to speak reproachfully?”

What does “double honor” suggest? Discuss “Do not muzzle the ox (Deut 25:4).”

How serious is it to bring unsubstantiated charges against an elder? Or to entertain or repeat such charges?

How can church leaders guard against partiality and favoritism?

For what purpose would Timothy need to lay hands on people? Why should he not be hasty?

Why would Paul advise Timothy to drink wine? Why only a little?

Why do you suppose that Timothy should not drink water alone?

Were early Christians (like Timothy) always told to expect miraculous healing?

Why do you think Timothy (except for this) abstained totally from wine?

Could one use these words about “a little wine” to justify social drinking today?

Are sins and good deeds always evident … in the same way and at the same time?

A Crazy $2,850 Check - and a Dead Discover Card

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Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Matt 4:8-9

But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 2 Cor 11:3

Several years ago, early one September morning, my cell phone rang. I took the call, coming from the 202 area code (Washington, DC). The man said he was a Postal Service agent, and he asked, “Is this Cory Collins?” “Yes.” “Did you use your Discover Card ending in xxxx to open a Click-N-Ship account this morning?” I was suspicious. I said, “No!” and ended the conversation. The fact is, I didn’t even have a Discover Card. What was going on?

I phoned the USPS fraud office later and confirmed that the agent and the call were legitimate. I called Discover to be sure no one had opened an account there in my name. I checked my credit report for the same reason. All was clear. Whew! I let it go. I hoped it was over. I knew, however, that someone had obtained my name, cell number, and (likely) home address.

Then, about ten days later, a large Priority Mail envelope arrived at the house. It was “returned to sender,” and it came to me as if I had sent it! Someone had used my name and address, pretending to be me, and had mailed this envelope to a “Bill Roach” in Ventura, CA. The crook (the real sender) had entered Mr. Roach’s address incorrectly. The envelope could not be delivered, so it was sent back to the designated sender – me.

Inside was a cashier’s check, drawn on the Mountain West Bank in Coeur d’Alene, ID, in the amount of $2,850. The remitter (the person who ordered the check) was named, right or wrong, as Mathew Anderson, and the payee was Bill Roach (as above). It looked perfect, even including the watermark and other top security features. I phoned that bank and described the story and the check. The officer asked for the remitter’s name and then said, “We know about other checks just like this one, with this same fake remitter’s name. They are bogus.”

Some scam artists will offer such fake cashier’s checks in large amounts. They only ask you to send them a genuine check from your account to cover “taxes” or “shipping and handling fees.” They then cash your check and pocket your money. When you cash their bad check it costs them nothing. You may have to pay an additional “bad check” bank fee.

Satan is the ultimate “fake remitter,” the original con man. He writes bad checks in large amounts, hoping to make you pay. Whatever he promises is appealing, pleasurable, and apparently free. It’s only after you agree to do business with him that you realize you have lost everything. You’re broke. Bankrupt. And he’s laughing all the way to the bank.

Ask Eve (Gen 3:1ff). The serpent’s deal sounded too good to be true. And it was. Lost souls in hell would tell you the same. Scripture says, “Don’t give the devil a foothold” (Eph 4:26-27). Don’t cash Satan’s check. He’ll rob you blind.

Cory Collins

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?