1 Timothy 4

V 1-5 (What are some examples you think of dangerous teaching? What makes them dangerous?)

Paul is giving a word that he is instructing Timothy to especially head

“The spirit expressly says..”

Some who once believed in the faith will be enticed by false doctrine

This doctrine is quite literally attributed to demonic spirits

It is a twisting or manipulation of scripture to say something it doesn’t

Paul here is addressing the need for legalism and to remain pure

The false doctrine that one has a “greater spiritual standing” by abstaining from eating certain things

Not a blanket statement that everything is good and sin is okay, but rather that our abstinence from certain foods for the sake of making ourselves “more spiritual” is foolish

V 6-10 (Why does training in Godliness matter? How does it compare to physical training?)

Train yourselves with Godliness

Paul is comparing here the training of physical fitness to the training of “spiritual fitness”

What do you “consume”?

In the same way calories and macros matter for building muscle, what we consume matters in our spirituality

What “workouts” do you push yourself through?

Where are you growing spiritually? Are you doing anything that is making you grow spiritually or that is difficult?

Is your savior on your mind?

Gym bros are obsessed with the gym. You can’t grow muscles and only go to the gym when it feels good

Why do we work hard? Why do we come to church all the time, serve others, and live a life that’s different?

Christ offers something sin cannot

Eternal life

“to this end” is a summation of what Paul has been saying. That we work hard, not because it will bring us more favor, but because the promise of the end goal is in sight

V 11-15 (Why does Paul encourage Timothy to not let age define him?)

Paul gives a charge to Timothy to pursue this calling with boldness

Timothy is believed tome around 30 years old when he receives this letter

Paul is encouraging him that he has received a great gift. His authority does not come from his own strength or doing, but rather is a gift given by the spirit

Rather than being young, Paul encourages Timothy to do something quite the opposite: Set the standard in faith love conduct and purity

Rather than succumb to the criticism of others, Paul encourages Timothy to rise up and be a leader

His age should not be a deterrent on his character, rather as the leader of a congregation he should be the guiding light to what it looks like to feel