Having come to the fourth major division in our study through 1 Timothy (chapters 5 & 6), we see Paul giving instruction concerning pastoral responsibilities in the church.  In this week’s study, we will be studying through 1 Timothy 6:1-2 which primarily deals with how to be a good Christian witness within the workplace as an employee. Of course, the context of the passage has to do with a slave/master relationship, but there are many principles that apply directly to an employee. It is clear from Paul’s instruction that God really cares about the way we act at work, and this makes sense given that many people spend a good portion of lives in the workplace.  In this passage we see that a Christian employee should see their employer as an authority that they are to honour and respect (1 Timothy 6:1). We also see that unbelievers within the workplace will learn a lot about God and Christianity by our attitude and character at work (1 Timothy 6:1). Whether or not our employer is a Christian, we have a responsibility to respect and honour them all the same (1 Timothy 6:2).  Read through the passage with your family and discuss the importance of a Christian’s character and conduct within the workplace.

Having come to the fourth major division in our study through 1 Timothy (chapters 5 & 6), we see Paul giving instruction concerning pastoral responsibilities in the church.   In this week’s study, we will be studying through 1 Timothy 5:19-25 which continues on from last week with how to treat pastor-elders within the local church.  Last week, we read how Paul explained that pastor-elder are to be honoured according to principles from Scripture, and how this applies to providing practically for those to labour spiritually (1 Timothy 5:17-18).  In today's study, Paul then moves on to explain how to treat a pastor-elder who is accused of sin (1 Timothy 5:19-20), along with emphasising the importance of following through with his instruction (1 Timothy 5:21). Paul then spends some time explaining how to treat potential pastor-elders in the church - because it takes time to recognise what a man is truly like (1 Timothy 5:24-25), there should never be a rush to approve the ministry of another person (1 Timothy 5:22). But for the existing pastor-elders, Paul gives us a good example of looking out for their physical welfare (1 Timothy 5:23). In the week ahead, read through the passage with your family and discuss the responsibility of church members to treat their pastor-elders biblically.

Having come to the fourth major division in our study through 1 Timothy (chapters 5 & 6), we see Paul giving instruction concerning pastoral responsibilities in the church.  In this week’s study, we will be studying through verses 1 Timothy 5:17-18 which is the first part in how to treat pastor-elders within the local church.  Paul explains that pastor-elder are to be honoured according to principles from Scripture, and how this applies to providing practically for those to labour spiritually (1 Timothy 5:17-18).  Next week in Part 2, we read how Paul then moves on to explain how to treat a pastor-elder who is accused of sin (1 Timothy 5:19-20), along with emphasising the importance of following through with his instruction (1 Timothy 5:21).  Paul then spends some time explaining how to treat potential pastor-elders in the church - because it takes time to recognise what a man is truly like (1 Timothy 5:24-25), there should never be a rush to approve the ministry of another person (1 Timothy 5:22). But for the existing pastor-elders, Paul gives us a good example of looking out for their physical welfare (1 Timothy 5:23).  In the week ahead, read through the passages with your family and discuss the responsibility of church members to treat their pastor-elders biblically.

In chapters 5 and 6 of our study through 1 Timothy, we come to the fourth and final major division where Paul gives instruction concerning pastoral responsibilities in the church. In these two final chapters, Paul gives Timothy instruction about specific areas in which to bring encouragement to the local church body, and as we’ll see, this encouragement is just as real & relevant for us today.  In this week’s study, we will be studying through 1 Timothy 5:3-16 in which Paul brings instruction about the conditions and context of biblical welfare. Specifically, Paul is dealing with needy widows, but the principles have wider application. Paul begins with a general principle to help the needy who are truly in need (1 Timothy 5:3). He then goes on to give us guidelines of how to tell those who are really widows (1 Timothy 5:4-6), and where provision should come from (1 Timothy 5:7-8). Paul then gives instruction of how the church is to help older widows (1 Timothy 5:9-10), and concludes with some instruction for younger widows (1 Timothy 5:11-16). Regardless of how many widows there may or may not be within a local church, the principle we see here is that the Christians within the church must be willing and prepared to provide welfare for certain people, rather than rely upon the state, or others.  Read through the passage with your family and discuss ways that your family can help those in need within our fellowship and within our families.

As we come to chapters 5 & 6 of our study through 1 Timothy, we come to the fourth & final major division where Paul gives instruction concerning pastoral responsibilities in the church. In these two final chapters, Paul gives Timothy instruction about specific areas in which to bring encouragement to the local church body, and as we’ll see, this encouragement is just as real & relevant for us today.  In this week’s study, we will be studying 1 Timothy 5:1-2 which give instruction of how we should relate to the various ages & stages of people within a local church fellowship. One of the striking observations from Paul’s words is how believers in the local church are to function together relationally as family. All too often in today’s church culture, “church” is merely a weekly meeting which is attended by individuals, who live their own individual lives, in their own individual homes, and who are disconnected to the idea that authentic church life is in fact family life - life where there are real, interactive relationships.  Read through the passage and discuss with your family the importance of church life being family life along with ways that this works out practically in your own lives.

Following the sober reminder to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:1-5, that some will fall away from the faith, Paul continues to instruct Timothy about what sort of spiritual leader he must be in light of this certainty.  In this week’s passage, Paul gives six essential characteristics of a spiritual leader: 1) He is an example of spiritual virtue (1 Timothy 4:12); 2) He centres his ministry on the Word of God (1 Timothy 4:13). 3) He is committed to fulfilling his calling (1 Timothy 4:14). 4) He is devoted to the work that God has given him (1 Timothy 4:15). 5) He is progressing in spiritual growth. 6) He acknowledges the weighty implications of his conduct & teaching (1 Timothy 4:16).  Read through the passage and discuss with your family why each of these characteristics are important for the life of a spiritual leader within the church, along with what happens when these characteristics are absent in their life. Then discuss with your family why these characteristics are also needed in the lives of husbands & fathers as spiritual leaders within their homes.

As we work our way through the study of 1 Timothy, a great deal of the content revolves around spiritual leadership. Though much of the book is very applicable to all believers, there is no doubt an emphasis upon those called to lead in the local church. In 1 Timothy 4:6-16, Paul teaches on many things that are essential for any spiritual leader to heed, and apply to his life and ministry.  Today we will look at 1 Timothy 4:6-11, and cover the first 7 characteristics. Why not try and make the time to read through these verses, and list as many characteristics as you can see within the passage. This is always a very profitable exercise as it helps us to dig into the text for ourselves, and often in doing so we find gems of truth and insight that may not always be covered in the sermon. The simplest way to take this approach, is to ask first what is happening in the text (observation), then ask what is it means (interpretation), and finally ask how this applies to a person’s life (application). Be blessed as you study!

In chapter 3, Paul articulated the specific qualifications for pastor-elders & deacons within the church. In chapter 4, Paul firstly warns Timothy of a coming time when some people will depart from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1-5). But then he goes on to instruct what Timothy must be focusing on now, in preparation for the certainty of that future falling away (1 Timothy 4:6-16).  In this week’s passage, we are focusing on Paul’s warning that some will depart from the faith at a future time (1 Timothy 4:1-5). Paul firstly warns of the certainty of this departure from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1), followed by the nature & cause of this departure (1 Timothy 4:2-3). Finally, Paul refutes some specific legalism that mark those who depart from the faith (1 Timothy 4:4-5). Now given that this falling away from the faith is both certain and predicted, we must take the Apostle Paul’s words very seriously for the sake of ourselves and other professing believers in our lives.  Read through the passage and discuss with your family what things we must watch out for, and how we can best prepare ourselves now so that we won’t be found as those who will one day depart from the faith.

Having looked at the qualifications for pastor-elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, we now look at the qualifications for deacons. The role of a deacon is often- misunderstood, resulting in such men serving as “board-members” or “church-janitors”. However, paints a very different picture of the man who serves as a deacon in the local church.  Many of the qualifications are similar to that required of pastor-elders, but there are some differences to take note of. What stands out in particular in this passage, is that although a deacon’s role is primarily practical, it is impossible to carry out unless that man is first very spiritual minded. This is because everything that we do as a local church, is spiritual, and more importantly is to be centered around the gospel. Practical tasks for a deacon are not just practical tasks, but rather opportunities for ministry to God’s people, as the preaching of God’s Word is facilitated and prioritized. Read through the passage, and consider and discuss these truths.

Last Sunday, we came to chapter 3 in our study of 1 Timothy, where Paul is now listing the qualifications for leaders within the church. We looked at the first two verses of chapter 3 where we began considering the biblical qualifications that are required for a man who is functioning as a pastor-elder, or who is considering this responsibility within the local church. ' This coming Sunday, we continue through the remaining qualifications necessary for a pastor-elder in 1 Timothy 3:3-7. These biblical qualifications for church leaders are often overlooked in many churches today, which results in much dysfunction and spiritual carnage in the lives of others. Functioning as a pastor-elder comes with heavy demands, along with resulting in life-altering implications in the lives of others, for the better or for the worse. For the spiritual health of the church, it’s essential that men functioning as pastor-elders are biblically qualified. Read through the passage and discuss with your family why each of the various biblical qualifications are necessary, along with what can happen when they are overlooked or not heeded.