1 Timothy 3
Summary: Paul previously left Timothy in Ephesus to confront false teachers inside the church there. He is now sending further instruction for Timothy concerning the result of the false teaching (division and controversy in the church). Paul’s overall theme of this book is that the Gospel leads to practical and visible life change when taught correctly. Paul knows that when the Church is healthy and the true Gospel is being preached genuine life change will be the result.
Major Points:
(V. 1-13) Paul is clearly describing the qualifications for the roles of overseer & deacon. He uses those qualifications to also set the tone of how all mature believers should live their lives because although not everyone is an overseer or deacon, if you are a mature believer then people are looking to you. Leadership will set the tone for how our lives represent Christ to the world. Taking the context of this book into consideration, Paul wants us to see that biblical leadership is necessary for the church to display God’s glory in our worship and in our witness.
(V. 14-16) Paul sums up the previous verses by saying “so that you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God”. Paul wants to address some of the issues that were going on in the Church, but he also wants us to understand why it’s important to behave properly. The Church is God’s household and he loved it so much he shed Christ blood for it. Therefore it should be important to us. We should be concerned about what the behavior in the Church is saying to the onlooking world. Paul saved the best for last, he reminds us where true Godliness springs from, he says “He was manifested in the flesh”. Paul reminds us once again that in order to live with Godly character we must be in pursuit of Jesus himself not the characteristics.
Question Bank:
How has your week been spiritually?
What is God teaching you?
What sins are you struggling with that you need to confess?
(V. 1-13) How does this text apply to those outside of the office of overseer & deacon?
(V. 1-13) Why does Paul spend so much time talking about Godly leadership?
(V. 1-13) Out of the qualifications listed, is there one that you feel conviction over?
(V. 1-13) How do leadership qualities affect the church’s worship of God?
(V. 14-16) Why is the church so important to God?
(V. 14-16) What are you currently doing to serve the household of God?
(V. 14-16) What would an unsaved friend say about your love for God’s church?
(V. 14-16) What is the difference in pursuing change and pursuing Jesus?