- Who is Paul?
- Who is Timothy?
- What is Their Relationship Like?
- What Themes Can We Expect to Encounter in 1 Timothy?
Summary: Paul, who was once a Church-ravaging, Christ-opposing pharisee became, by the sovereign grace of God, a lover of the Church and one of the most faithful and sacrificial servants of Christ and the gospel who ever lived. Timothy, Paul's spiritual son, was a godly young man and a reliable church leader. Timothy's priorities in life were shaped by the interests of Christ. This sincerity of spirit was no doubt the hallmark of Timothy's character and one of the main reasons he and Paul were of such kindred spirit. When we study 1 Timothy, we get to, as it were, "read Timothy's mail." And, as we do, we will do well to keep in mind the nature of Paul and Timothy's relationship. May their interests shape our interests, their concerns define our concerns and their convictions form our convictions.
Main Point: 1 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul to his spiritual son, Timothy; therefore, the themes encountered in 1 Timothy should be read with and informed by a constant awareness of the Christ-centered, mission-minded nature of their affectionate relationship.
Main Point: 1 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul to his spiritual son, Timothy; therefore, the themes encountered in 1 Timothy should be read with and informed by a constant awareness of the Christ-centered, mission-minded nature of their affectionate relationship.
Discussion Questions:
- Who is Paul? (see Acts 7:58; 8:1; 9:1-22 ; 26:12-18; Gal. 1:11–2:10; Phil. 3:1-11)
- Who is Timothy? (see 2 Tim. 3:13-15; 1:4-6; 2:1-2)
- Describe the relationship between Paul and Timothy (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 3:10-11; Phil. 2:19-24)
- How might the nature of Paul's relationship to Timothy shape the the nature of our own discipleship relationships and parent-child relationships?
- READ 1 Tim. 3:14-15. What is Paul's aim in writing 1 Timothy?
- READ through 1 Timothy in one sitting. What themes surface as you read through the letter?
- What was one thing that was particularly helpful to me in this sermon?
- How might Paul's relationship to Timothy inspire me in my own discipleship relationships and/or parent-child relationships?
- Thank God for giving us His word in general and 1 Timothy in particular.
- Thank God for how profitable His word is for teaching, reproof, correction, and for training in righteousness.
- Ask God to help us grow in godly sincerity so that spiritual relationships at FBC can me marked by the affection and sweetness that we see in Paul's relationship to Timothy.
- Ask God to powerfully shape us by the truths we learn in 1 Timothy so that we can relate to one another beautifully as the household of God called to be a pillar and buttress of the truth.
