Today’s passage: 1 Timothy 5:1-8
Helpful thoughts:
- When we confront sin in other believers and as we come alongside one another, we are to do so treating them as we would our fathers, brothers, mothers and sisters.
- This implies respect and love in our communication.
- We treat one another as family, guarding each other for their well-being, and pursuing purity in how we interact with one another across genders.
- It is the responsibility of the family to take care of their widows (Or principally speaking, those who cannot care for themselves).
- There will be more qualifications for the kids of widows the church is compelled to care for, but the first one listed today is a faithfully testimony. Widows in the church must be widows who are truly followers of Christ.
- It would be wrong for someone to refuse to care for their widowed mother and cast the responsibility on the church (Or on anyone else).
- This would not include hiring professional care. To ensure a mother’s care through assisted living, a nursing home, or hiring in-home care, etc. IS caring for your mother.
Questions to consider:
- How does the care of a widow reflect the message of the Gospel? How does any ministering to any person who is unable to care for their own need look like gospel-minded love?
- What is the stark warning to those who would refuse to care for their widowed mothers? What does the Apostle Paul refer to them as?
- What is the motive behind the way we ought to treat one another from verses 1-2? Who are we seeking to protect? Whose good and growth, beyond our own, becomes our goal when we join together as a church?