Outline: Guard the Gospel-deposit (1 Tim. 6:20-21):
- What is the deposit? (v.20a; cf. 2 Tim. 1:8-14)
- Who is commanded to guard the deposit? (v.20a; cf. v.21b; 4:12)
- How can we faithfully guard the deposit? (v.20b-21b)
Summary: In many ways the whole Book of 1 Timothy has been about guarding the gospel by lifting it up (1 Tim. 3:14-16). Thus it is no surprise that we find in the final two verses Paul's solemn and climactic command to guard the deposit, that is, to guard the gospel as a most precious and sacred trust. At very least, the gospel is guarded by not giving an inch to the false "knowledge" that is peddled by false teachers in opposition to God's word and ways. Some have embraced such "knowledge" and have swerved from the true faith. To keep the faith one must continually protect the good news. And to protect the good news one must continually look to Christ for fresh grace and reassurance. It is only by God's grace that we can guard the gospel of grace.
Main Point: Christians must guard the gospel by drawing strength from the grace of the gospel
Discussion Questions:
- What is the deposit? (v.20a; cf. 2 Tim. 1:8-14)
- How do we know that the command to guard the gospel applies to us and not just to Timothy? (cf. v.21b "you" plural; 4:12)
- When we repent and believe in Jesus, how does the gospel protect us? What do we need to be protected from?
- What does it look like for the church and individual Christians to protect the gospel? Answer this question first from 6:20-21and then from the whole book of 1 Timothy.
- How are the words "Grace be with y'all" both encouraging and instructive?
- How has the gospel protected eternally me? How should I respond to such protection?
- How can I more faithfully protect the gospel in my spheres of influence this week?
- How can I be rightly sobered yet not crushed by the weight of the sacred responsibility to guard the gospel?
- Praise God for protecting us from Himself through the grace He extends to us in the gospel
- Praise Jesus for being the good man who brought good news so that we can live the good life
- Confess any ways you have failed to protect the gospel and live in light of its worth
- Ask God to strengthen you by His grace so that you can guard the gospel of grace
- Ask God to strengthen us by His grace so that, as a church family, we can protect the gospel
- Ask God to help us faithfully entrust the gospel to others who will go and do likewise
