1 Timothy 1

Intro

Last week we started our summer series, You Are Meant For More, and we are walking through the book of 1 Timothy. For the duration of this series, we are to be creating space for you to have times of discussion. Each week you will receive a discussion guide, I will give some introductory throughts, and I want you to share what you think with the people at your table. There is no pressure to share, and this is new for everyone.

The important thing to remember is that there are no wrong answers, there are no dumb questions, and there is no judgment. We will respect everyone’s experience, as we are all at different spots in this journey called life and faith.

For our online audience, just a reminder that the discussion guide is found at the link on the screen, and you are invited to wonder over and join the discussion.

to kick off, I want you to discuss the first question in the discussion guide,

“What are some silly things that people tend to fight about?”

For example, people tend to have silly discussions about whether iPhone or Android are better. Now clearly Android is better and everyone who disagrees is wrong, but that is an example of something people have endless discussions about.

Take a couple minutes and come up with a few more examples

Three Key Teachings

on each of your tables is a bible, and some of you have brought your own. I’m going to give you space to read the chapter on your own, it is only 20 verses, and there are three discussion questions that I have given you to guide your discussion

I just want to touch on the three areas of interest briefly and then leave you to discussion

1. The Gospel

the first and most important thing that Paul wants to point out in the message of the Gospel. In v.15, Paul says, This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”

This is the foundation of our faith in Christ, and the source of our hope. Jesus came, died for your sins, resurrected to defeat death, and lives today as our great High Priest and Lord.

it is because of what Jesus did and continues to do that our hearts become pure and we become sanctified and holy. Everything we believe, everything we hope, the unity we enjoy as a body of believers starts right here.

2. The Purpose of the Gospel

in v. 5, Paul tells Timothy that the goal of his instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a genuine faith

in v.19, Paul repeats himself and tells TImothy to cling to his faith in Christ and keep your conscience clear

The reason he doesn’t repeat having a pure heart is that he lays out gospel message. The truth is that a pure heart is only possible if Christ purifies our heart. No amount of good deeds or anything we can do will accomplish this.

However, we can control our faith. Last month we unpacked the idea of faith. It is trusting that God is who He says He is, that He will do what He says He is going to do, and living accordingly and obediently. If our faith is genuine, it will lend to a clear conscience.

Ultimately, biblical teaching should lead us to love one another selflessly.

2. Love vs. Disputes

Which leads to the third topic Paul touches on. Paul talks about how improper teaching and misunderstanding the point of biblical teaching will lead to meaningless disputes. What was happening in the Ephesian church was the people were diving into the Old Testament, but they were nitpicking over the minute details. They were trying to find some angle, some new teaching that had never been taught before. It was leading to endless discussion and disputes, which was starting the compromise the unity of the body.

That isn’t to say that there isn’t a fight worth fighting. But like Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, the fight we need to fight isn’t against flesh and blood, but it is a spiritual battle. We aren’t supposed to be fighting with our brothers and sister, either biological or spiritual. We are supposed to be fighting for the lost. We are supposed to be fighting to see the hurting and broken of community find life and hope in Jesus Christ.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do we remain gospel-centred in life? What kinds of things tend to get us off-centre?

2. There are three things that result from the gospel: A pure heart, a clear conscience, and a genuine faith. What causes us to stray from these three things? How can we better prioritize them?

3. We often equate ‘unity’ with ‘agreeing’. How can we remain united despite the fact we don’t always agree on everything?

Closing Thoughts

It all comes back to unity and relationship. Whether it was the Ephesian Church or the church of today, there is so much working to divide to us. Our spiritual enemy has not stopped trying to tear down the church of Jesus.

It is through the message of the Gospel that we discover the love, hope and faith we need to resist the devil and remain united in the church. The same Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead, the same Spirit the indwells us at the moment of salvation also unites us. We are better together, and we need to fight to maintain our unity in the cross, put aside our small differences, and celebrate the God who unites us.

Paul asks Timothy, and I ask each of you, are you willing to take the lead to keep the peace in little family of faith?