Showing Proper Care in God’s Family Part 1 (1 Tim. 5:1-16)

Outline: Showing Proper Care in God’s Family Part 1 (1 Tim. 5:1-16): 

1. Basic principle: Christians should adjust the way they relate to others within God's family in order to show proper care and respect for each person.
2. Case study #1: How should we think about showing proper care for widows?

Summary:  After describing four marks of a good servant in vv.6-16, Paul tells Timothy that a good servant will intentionally adjust the way he relates to others within God's family in order to show proper care and respect for each person (5:1-2).  Paul then practically applies this basic principle for relationships to three different groups within the church (three "case studies"): widows (vv.3-16), elders (vv.17-25), and masters/employers (6:1-3). In this sermon we unpack the principle and how it is applied in Paul's first case study concerning showing proper care for widows within the church.

Main Point: Christians should adjust the way they relate to others within God's family in order to show proper care and respect for each person.  This principle should shape how the church cares for widows.

Discussion Questions:

• What is the doctrine of adoption and how does it account for how we came to be part of God's family in the first place?
• What is the basic principle for relationships in the church set forth in vv.1-2?
• Exercise: take time to think through and discuss what it might look like to adjust the way one relates to others within God's family from each perspective listed (i.e. from the the perspective to the older men, younger men, etc). 
• How might honoring this principle serve the church's call to display the beauty of the gospel?
• What are the three basic qualifications that a widow must meet in order to be substantially supported by the church? Why are these qualifications important?
• How should vv.3-8 shape how Christians think about their responsibility in showing proper care and respect for their aging parents?

Application Questions:

• What would it look like for me to adjust the way I relate to each group mentioned in vv.1-2?
• How can I best honor God by taking responsibility to care for my parents as they age?

Prayer Points:

• Praise God adopting us into His family and for the blessing of being part of a local church
• Ask God for wisdom to adjust the way we relate to others within God's family in order to show proper care and respect for each person
• Ask God to help us honor Him by taking responsibility to care for our aging parents 
• Ask God to help us be sensitive to and show care for all widows and to, when appropriate, make substantial provision for them. 

Introduction to 1 Timothy (1 Tim. 1:1-2)

Outline: Introduction to 1 Timothy

1. Who is Paul?
2. Who is Timothy?
3. What is Their Relationship Like?
4. 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.

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? 

Application Questions:

• 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?

Prayer Points:

• 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.