Training in Godliness

Sermon 4: "Training in Godliness"

Primary Text: 1 Timothy 4:7-16

Theme Verse: "Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:7b-8)

1. Spiritual Disciplines

A. Prayer and Meditation

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (Priority of prayer)

Psalm 1:1-2 (Meditating on God's word)

Colossians 4:2 (Continue steadfastly in prayer)

Luke 5:16 (Jesus' example of solitude and prayer)

B. Study of Scripture

2 Timothy 2:15 (Rightly handling the word)

Psalm 119:11 (Hiding God's word in heart)

Joshua 1:8 (Meditating day and night)

Acts 17:11 (Bereans examining Scripture)

C. Worship and Fellowship

Hebrews 10:24-25 (Not neglecting meeting together)

Colossians 3:16 (Teaching and admonishing one another)

Acts 2:42 (Devoted to fellowship and teaching)

D. Fasting and Self-Control

Matthew 6:16-18 (When you fast)

1 Corinthians 9:27 (Disciplining the body)

Galatians 5:22-23 (Fruit of self-control)

2. Personal Development

A. Character Formation

2 Peter 1:5-7 (Adding to your faith)

Romans 5:3-5 (Character through trials)

James 1:2-4 (Letting steadfastness have its effect)

B. Mind Renewal

Romans 12:2 (Transformed by mind renewal)

Philippians 4:8 (Think about these things)

Colossians 3:2 (Set minds on things above)

C. Skill Development

1 Timothy 4:13 (Public reading, teaching)

2 Timothy 2:15 (Worker who handles truth)

Proverbs 15:28 (The heart of the righteous ponders)

3. Leading by Example

A. Personal Conduct

1 Timothy 4:12 (Set an example in speech, conduct)

Titus 2:7-8 (Show yourself a model)

1 Peter 5:3 (Being examples to the flock)

B. Integrity in Leadership

1 Timothy 3:2-3 (Above reproach)

Titus 1:7-9 (Holding firm to trustworthy word)

1 Thessalonians 2:10 (Holy and righteous conduct)

C. Mentoring Others

2 Timothy 2:2 (Entrust to faithful men)

Philippians 4:9 (Practice what you learned)

1 Corinthians 11:1 (Be imitators of me)

4. Continuous Growth in Faith

A. Never Settling

Philippians 3:12-14 (Pressing on toward the goal)

2 Peter 3:18 (Grow in grace and knowledge)

Hebrews 6:1 (Going on to maturity)

B. Regular Self-Examination

2 Corinthians 13:5 (Examine yourselves)

Lamentations 3:40 (Let us test our ways)

Psalm 139:23-24 (Search me, O God)

C. Accountability

Proverbs 27:17 (Iron sharpens iron)

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (Two are better than one)

James 5:16 (Confess sins to one another)

Application Points:

Personal Assessment:

Current spiritual disciplines inventory

Areas needing growth

Setting specific goals

Action Steps:

Establishing daily prayer and Bible study

Finding an accountability partner

Creating a personal development plan

Progress Markers:

Regular evaluation points

Measurable growth indicators

Accountability check-ins

Conclusion

"Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." (1 Timothy 4:16)