Men's Fellowship: 1 Timothy Study
Men, join us on Wednesdays as we study the book of First Timothy to discover what it means to be a spiritual leader in the home, in the church, and in the world. Each time we meet we will work through a paragraph and discuss how it applies to our lives. Be sure to check the schedule below as we will usually meet every other week. Below the schedule you will find a few helpful links. The "Exegetical Worksheet" is what you will use to guide your study.
November 13th, Introduction
November 20th, 1 Timothy 1:1–11
Reading: Hiebert, pgs. 9–38.
Location: Jody's House
Discussion Questions
- Why may Timothy have been reluctant to remain at Ephesus?
- Why are many Christian men reluctant to be spiritual leaders in their homes and churches today? What challenges are you facing as a spiritual leader?
- What is “speculation” (verse 4)? Have you come across any examples of theological speculation (verse 4)? Why should we avoid this?
- How were the false teachers misusing the law (verses 8–11)? Why did Paul attack this error so passionately?
Thanksgiving Break, No Meeting
December 4th, 1 Timothy 1:12–20
Reading: Hiebert, pgs. 38–48.
Location: Jon's House
Discussion Questions
- What motivated Paul to fight for the purity of the gospel when it was attacked?
- The conscience is our moral self-awareness. How do we keep our conscience in a healthy condition (verse 19)? How dangerous is it to ignore your conscience?
- What does it mean to hand someone over to Satan (verse 20)? What other verses in the New Testament shed light on this phrase?
December 18th, 1 Timothy 2:1–8
Reading: Hiebert, pgs. 49–58.
Location: Jon's House
- Is this passage talking about private or public prayer? What evidence supports your answer?
- What are we being called to pray for? Why?
- How would you rate our church as far as our obedience to the command in this passage? What must we/you change to be more obedient here?
Christmas Break, No Meeting
January 15th, 1 Timothy 2:9–15
Reading: Hiebert, pgs. 58–63.
Location: Jody's House
- Based on this passage, what advice would you give to a young woman who is seeking to honor God specifically as a woman? What are some practical ways that she can obey the commands in this text?
- Female pastors? Why or why not? What if a woman says she feels "called"? What if there are no men who are willing to lead?
January 29th, 1 Timothy 3:1–7
Reading: Hiebert, pgs. 63–68.
Location: Jody's House
- What office or position is being described here? Is this the same as pastor/elder or something else? See Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1–4.
- Try looking up the word for "office of overseer" in a concordance or Bible dictionary. How does this word help us understand the nature of the office?
- How many qualifications are listed here? Try putting each one in your own words.
- Why are marriage and parenting mentioned in this list?
- What does verse 6 imply about new converts?
- Except for "apt to teach", every Christian man should meet these qualifications. How have you grown since your conversion? Where are you still falling short?
February 12th, 1 Timothy 3:1–7
Reading: Hiebert, pgs. 63–68.
Location: Jody's House
- See above for questions.
February 26th, 1 Timothy 3:8–16
Reading: Hiebert, pgs. 68–74.
Location: Jody's House
- Read Acts 6. Most people see these men as the first deacons. What was the situation that gave rise to this office? How were the men chosen? What was the result (verse 7)?
- How do the qualifications for deacons differ from those for elders?
- Thinking about our church, what are some areas that deacons could oversee in the future?
- Does verse 11 refer to deacons' wives or deaconesses?
- Why was 1 Timothy written? See verse 15.
- Describe the "common confession" in verse 16 in your own words.
March 19th, 1 Timothy 4:1–16
Reading: Hiebert, pgs. 75–89.
Location: Jody's House
- What do verses 1–5 tell us about false teaching? Why do we need to be aware of this?
- Verses 6–16 speak about the importance of self-discipline and focus in the Christian life. This requires that we are "being nourished on the words of the faith" (v. 6) and "refusing godless myths" (v. 7). How are you currently following these commands in your life. Be specific!
- Based on verse 8, what counsel would you give to a new believer who is struggling to get into the habit of daily devotions?
- Are you "laboring and striving" (v. 10) in the Christian life, or are you being lazy? What specific changes do you need to make?
- What do verses 11–16 teach us about spiritual leadership? How do you lead someone spiritually? What is at stake (v. 16)?
April 2nd, 1 Timothy 5
Reading: Hiebert, pgs. 89–108.
Location: Jody's House
- Verses 1–2 talk about our responsibility to correct sinning church members. How should we do this? What is the difference between a sharp rebuke and an appeal?
- What do verses 3–16 teach us about the responsibility of adult children toward their aging parents. How are you and your spouse committed to honoring your aging parents when they can no longer care for themselves?
- What does verse 8 teach us about our responsibility to our households? How much should a Christian man be working? See Exodus 20:9; Psalm 104:23.
- What are the qualifications for widows that wish to receive financial assistance from the church? Why not just hand out money to everyone who asks?
- What are verses 17–18 talking about? Why is this important for the church?
- Based on verses 19–25, how should the church handle allegations against elders?
April 16th, 1 Timothy 6
Reading: Hiebert, pgs. 109–124.
Location: Jody's House
- Why should slaves honor their masters? How do many men today dishonor their superiors, either while on the job or at home?
- How should we deal with people who bring constant debates and strife into the fellowship of the church? See Titus 3:10–11.
- According to verses 3–10, what is often motivating these divisive people?
- Should a Christian man have a life goal of becoming wealthy? Why or why not? See verses 6–10 and 17–19.
- What should the Christian man focus on?
- How serious is spiritual leadership? How would you describe Paul's tone in this section?
