Today’s passage: 1 Timothy 1:3-11
Helpful thoughts:
- Paul’s first charge to Timothy was to guard the doctrine and teaching of the church at Ephesus. Doctrinal integrity and biblical teaching are incredibly important!
- There are fruits from teaching:
- The false teaching in Ephesus resulted in pointless conversations and disputes that divided people and tore them down.
- Biblical teaching results in building people up, which results in love, which comes out of pure hearts, good consciences, and sincere faith.
- If people truly interpret the law accurately, they learn they are sinners, they are humbled, and rejoice together in the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
- Pride in the law (Self-righteousness) results in more selfishness and consumerism.
- “I am better than other people. What should the church do for me?”
- Humility in the law (Righteousness by grace through faith in Christ) results in selflessness and loving service.
- “I am a sinner saved by God’s grace. What can I do to share Christ’s love with others?”
- Pride in the law (Self-righteousness) results in more selfishness and consumerism.
Questions to consider:
- How do you decide what is a false doctrine and what is a true doctrine? If the Bible is not authoritative and without error, than who gets to decide what is right and wrong? Why must we base everything we believe and practice on the truth of God’s Word?
- What are some ways the question, “What should the church do for me?” is displayed? What do people tend to want out of a church? What personal opinions can be held as essential that are not in the Bible? Would it be possible for a church to be all things to/for all people? If it were, what would that church STOP being?
- According to this passage, what core doctrinal truth(s) keep(s) a church alive, and even thriving? When our personal preferences and desires are set aside and nothing is more important to our church than the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the fruit that it bears to the glory of God, what happens in the church?