1 Timothy 2

Intro

we are going through 1 TImothy and if you haven’t been a part of the series yet, you will notice we are doing things a little different. I am talking less and creating more space for you to talk and discuss. The idea is to allow for each of you to draw from other’s experience and wisdom. There are no right answers, and there are no dumb questions. There is simply an opportunity for the Spirit to move, and help us get a feel for how life in faith should be. The conversations we are having should not be unique to this setting, but this should be the norm. You should feel free to pull aside anyone in this church and ask them a question about life and faith and have an open conversation about it.

Let’s be honest, this sure beats complaining about the Riders or the weather. It should feel more meaningful.

With that, I have to question to kick things off.

Prayer

Paul starts chapter 2 by reminding TImothy that he is to be a man of prayer. He is to pray in every way for all people.

Paul then draws attention to praying for those in authority. If you think the idea of praying for people in authority is tough now, remember that Caesar Nero was murdering Christians for fun. He understands what it means to pray for authorities that are hard to like.

What is the goal of praying for those in authority? That believers would live quiet and peaceful lives, marked by godliness and dignity.

The other goal of praying. Paul reminds Timothy that God wants everyone to be saved and understand the truth.

Address to Men

Paul then moves into how worship is supposed to look, and he starts by addressing the men.

He starts with the postive, that men are to pray with holy hands lifted up, free from anger and controversy

It would be fair to say that we need to talk less about government and pray more for it. We so often get so frustrated talking about what is going on in Regina or Ottawa, and it is the same issue they were facing then. Paul’s solution: talk about it less, and pray about it more.

Hands lifted up to God, what does this look like? It is a posture of surrender.

Address to Women

In the same way that the men were not to draw attention to themselves by being engulfed in controversy and anger, women were not to draw attention to themselves by dressing immodestly or wearing too much fancy jewelry. Paul reminds the church and Timothy that God’s definition of attractiveness is different then the world’s. The world tells ladies to dress to impress. God says let your good deeds be what defines your attration.

Paul also goes on to make some very strong statements about a women’s role in this church. For the sake of time and fight, I will just say this. Verse 11 says that women should learn. Remember that at the time, women were not entitled to something like an education. The fact that Paul is telling Timothy that women are allowed to learn is a reminder that the church elevates the rights and value of women consistently.

The learning quietly and submissively. The word quiet is the same word used to describe the quiet life believers are to live. Just we are to pray for a life free of turmoil, women were not to be troubled for their learning, and they were not stir up trouble as they learned. The teachers in the house can appreciate the idea of not being a distraction while they are trying to teach.

Submission here refers to the leadership of the church, and it is not unique to women. Everyone was expected to learn and live in submission to the eldership of the church. The special mention of it here aludes that it may have been a problem in the church in Ephesus.

as far as verses 12-15, I invite each of you at your tables to discuss the implications of the Paul’s teaching. That is all I’m going to say about that.

Discussion Questions:

1. Paul tells us to pray for all people, especially those in government and authority. Do you find it hard to pray for our government? What would make it easier?

2. Paul says that the men in church should be defined by prayer, not anger and controversy. What does it mean to be a man of prayer? How can we shift away from anger and controversy?

3. Paul writes that a woman’s attractiveness should be defined by her good works and not what she wears. What do you think of that statement? How is that lived out?

BONUS: Read 1 Timothy 2:12-14. What are your thoughts? Do you agree with what Paul is saying? How do these verses apply to today’s church?

Final Thoughts:

the heading of the series is, “You Are Meant For More.” Part of today’s chapter is the reminder that we are to be counter cultural, and that God’s expectations of His people are very different than the expectations of the world. Traditionally, men are to be angry and argumentative. Today women are told to dress to impress, and many times it feels like the less that’s covered, the better.

But God expects something different, something more. Sometimes, you need to see the world through a different lense in order to really discover who you are and what your part in God’s plan is