Happy Friday and greetings from Bible Study Snacks! Whether it's your first time with us, or you're a regular follower of this blog, it's great to have you!
I'm delighted that you will be joining me as we walk through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. As always, I hope you had a great week, and that today finds you in good health, positive in energy, and strong in faith! Before we start, a little background information is in order.
This week, we continue our study of The First Epistle to Timothy, or 1 Timothy. It was written about 58-59 A.D. Some believe that Paul may have written 1 Timothy after his extended stay at Ephesus and departure to Macedonia on his third missionary journey. Generally, it is the consensus that Paul wrote this epistle from Macedonia, following his first imprisonment in Rome.
Paul's letter is directed to a young evangelist who was given the responsibility of working with a congregation and leading them in the right way. All that is written is designed to assist, both, him and the congregation in doctrine and conduct.
Although brief, the studies presented here are packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. It is my ultimate hope that they might inspire you to an even deeper study of Scripture!
As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let us pray together...
"Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen"
If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are some things to think about for this week's lesson...
This Weeks Objectives: Participants should be able to...
* learn what we can about the apostasy ( an abandonment or breach of faith) foretold by the Spirit.
* see what sort of things will make one a good minister of Jesus Christ.
For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically 1 Timothy, Chapter 4...
Paul begins this chapter with describing how the Spirit has revealed that in latter times there would be an apostasy in which some would depart from the faith. This falling away would come about as people gave heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, leading to their speaking lies in hypocrisy and searing their consciences as with a hot iron.
Examples of their false doctrines are given: forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from certain foods. Regarding the latter, Paul makes it clear that all foods are acceptable if they be received with thanksgiving, for they are sanctified by the word of God and prayer (1 Timothy 4:1-5).
In the last half of this chapter, we find Paul instructing Timothy on how he can be a good minister of Jesus Christ. By instructing the brethren in matters pertaining to sound doctrine, he will also be nourished himself. But he should also be careful to avoid foolish fables, and rather exercise himself to godliness, which is of more enduring value than bodily exercise (1 Timothy 4:6-10).
Though Timothy is young, he should not let anyone despise him for his youth. Instead he must demonstrate the proper example of how a believer should speak and live. With further instruction as to what things to give attention, Paul encourages Timothy that by following these recommendations his progress will be evident to all, and he will save both himself and those who hear him (1 Timothy 4:11-16).
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) What did the Spirit reveal would happen in latter times? (1 Timothy 4:1)
2) What would such people give heed to? (1 Timothy 4:1)
3) What would they speak? Why? (1 Timothy 4:2)
4) List two examples of the sort of doctrines they would teach. (1 Timothy 4:3)
5) What foods are acceptable for Christians to eat? What makes them acceptable? (1 Timothy 4:4-5)
6) What would ensure that Timothy would be a good minister of Jesus Christ? (1 Timothy 4:6)
7) As a good minister, in what would he be nourished? (1 Timothy 4:6)
8) What was Timothy to reject? Unto what was he to exercise himself? (1 Timothy 4:7)
9) What is the value of godliness? (1 Timothy 4:8)
10) What was Timothy not to let anyone despise? (1 Timothy 4:12)
11) In what areas was Timothy to be an example to the believers? (1 Timothy 4:12)
12) To what three things was Timothy to give attention? (1 Timothy 4:13)
13) What was Timothy not to neglect? How was it given to him? (1 Timothy 4:14)
14) How could Timothy ensure that his progress would be evident to all? (1 Timothy 4:15)
15) How could Timothy save both himself and those who heard him? (1 Timothy 4:16)
After completing this week's study, I encourage you to go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around!
As always, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until our next time...
God bless you!
Sheri
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