Welcome Back to Tuesday Bible Study here at afaithtalk. I’m so glad you’re here. We’re starting a new study today. Paul’s letters to Timothy. It is my hope that in them we’ll see what Eugene Peterson wrote in his preface to these books in The Message. I’ll probably be going back and forth in between that and the NIV for this study but don’t worry, I’ll point it out so you won’t get lost.
If you have an NIV and or a MSG get them, otherwise, go here for the NIV and the MSG and grab your writing instruments.
Before we begin, let’s get really quiet and Pray.
Lord Jesus, thank You for these words, these letters, these books, this time and for every thing You’re doing in and for us right now. Lead us to see what You want us to see. Take my hands and write the lesson You want us to have. In Your name, I pray. Amen.
This is the introduction Eugene Peterson wrote for the pastoral letters to Timothy and Titus. I figured you’d more likely see it if I add what he wrote. So here it is…
“Christians are quite serious in believing that when they gather together for worship and work, God is present and sovereign, really present and absolutely sovereign. God creates and guides, God saves and heals, God corrects and blesses, God calls and judges. With such comprehensive and personal leadership from God, what is the place of human leadership?
Quite obviously, it has to be second place. It must not elbow its way to the front, it must not bossily take over. Ego-centered, ego-prominent leadership betrays the Master. The best leadership in spiritual communities formed in the name of Jesus, the Messiah, is inconspicuous, not calling attention to itself but not sacrificing anything in the way of conviction and firmness either.
In his letters to two young associates—Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete—we see Paul encouraging and guiding the development of just such leadership. What he had learned so thoroughly himself, he was now passing on, and showing them, in turn, how to develop a similar leadership in local congregations. This is essential reading because ill-directed and badly formed spiritual leadership causes much damage in souls. Paul in both his life and his letters shows us how to do it right.”
Read 1 Timothy 1:1-2 NIV
Let’s break this down a bit, because reading it is a little confusing as there is very little punctuation.
Paul, and apostle of Christ Jesus
by the command of God our Savior
and of Christ Jesus our hope
To Timothy my true son in the faith:
In the MSG it words it:
I, Paul, am an apostle on special assignment for Christ, our living hope. Under God our Savior’s command, I’m writing this to you, Timothy, my son in the faith. All the best from our God and Christ be yours!
I guess the point here is Paul is writing this letter because God commanded him to write it to Timothy. Still, ‘all the best’ encompasses grace, ______ and _______ that the NIV spells out. Grace, mercy and peace. What else could we possibly need in our daily lives?
Does ‘Christ Jesus our hope’ or ‘Christ, our living hope’ mean more to you? I love how he says Christ is our hope. He is our Peace too.
Read 1 Timothy 1:3-4 MSG
Self-Appointed Experts on Life
3-4 On my way to the province of Macedonia, I advised you to stay in Ephesus. Well, I haven’t changed my mind. Stay right there on top of things so that the teaching stays on track. Apparently some people have been introducing fantasy stories and fanciful family trees that digress into silliness instead of pulling the people back into the center, deepening faith and obedience.
Stay right there… so that the teaching ___________________,
..advancing God’s work—which is by faith. (NIV)
The center is a ______________________________________ and _____________________.
Read 1 Timothy 1:5-7 NIV
The goal of the command is _______. It comes from a ______ heart and a sincere __________.
Some have turned away to gossip and as experts on religious issues, but they do not know what they’re talking about.
Read 1 Timothy 1:8-11 NIV
Which means sound doctrine conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God.
Read 1 Timothy 1:12-14 NIV
The Lord’s Grace to Paul
Write out verse 14.
Here it is in the MSG…Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus.
Read 1 Timothy 1:15-17 NIV
Verse15. A trustworthy saying, a word you can take to heart and depend on: ________________________________________. It deserves full acceptance.
Verse 16. Christ Jesus displayed his _____________________________ as an example for those who would ____________________ and __________________________________________________.
Verse 17:Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Read 1 Timothy 1:18-20 MSG
The Charge to Timothy Renewed
I’m passing this work on to you, my son Timothy. The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we’re in.
There are some, you know, who by relaxing their grip and thinking anything goes have made a thorough mess of their faith. Hymenaeus and Alexander are two of them. I let them wander off to Satan to be taught a lesson or two about not blaspheming.
Prayer is timeless. Generations of prayers can come to fruition in your life. Same is true for those you pray. Trust it.
It is a fight to hang onto your faith. Yet we are never alone. We have ever-present help, so be fearless. He is trustworthy.
Dear Lord, what a wonderful chapter. Thank You for this lesson and the things You’ve shown us within it. All the honor and glory be Yours forever and ever.