Chapter 1

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20timothy%201&version=ESV

STUDY

• Who is this book written to? What does Paul say about him in the second verse?

• What is the aim of Paul and Timothy's charge?

• Where does this come from?

• Who is the law put in place for?

• What does Paul call his old self- verse 13?

• Who did Jesus come to save?

APPLICATION

• Read verses 6 and 7 again.  Do you ever find yourself being so confident in your opinion of doctrine, without truly knowing the truth of the matter?

• Rewrite verses 12-15, replacing it with personal characteristics and making it yours.

• In verse 18, Paul mentions a prophecy made about Timothy that was Timothy's calling to minister the gospel.  Paul encouraged him to hold fast to it and persevere through trials because he knew his calling.  Do you feel that God has revealed a calling on your life?  If so, what is it?  How can you remind yourself of this calling when you are faced with trials and obstacles to help persevere and endure?

PRUNING ME

    Referring to verses 6 and 7, I was once that person.  Not that I desired to be a teacher of the gospel, but I had strong opinions about certain doctrine that I didn't completely understand or study enough to stand rightly with my opinion- yet I stood.  I would get into discussions with people, and speak "confident assertions" about things that I really didn't know anything about.  This is what Paul calls "vain discussion".  It's okay to discuss matters concerning the Bible, but to make a solid opinion formed on nothing, is somewhat foolish.  For me, I would also feel so strongly about whatever the subject was, that I would take anything the opposing person said personally and argue my way through the discussion- because I was right regardless.  This is a sign of immaturity in faith and also, just plain foolishness.  I have learned since, thank God, to be educated before standing firm in an opinion.  Nobody decides to follow Jesus because they lost an argument- my pastor once said.     Except I used to think otherwise. Are you this way?  Really, it is doing the gospel more harm than good. I think I made people angry, and frankly- I embarassed myself.  My foolishness was also impressed on the gospel, when I so wrongfully preached it. If you are like I was, stop.  Learn the Bible. Study it. Let the Holy Spirit be the one who is at work, not your mouth on overdrive.  

• Leanne