September 6, 2012
YOU COUNT IT STRANGE, SO ONCE DID I.
1 Timothy 3
Kelly Batt
Central Truth
The mystery of God is something we all contemplate at some point. His ways are not our ways, which is a blessing, but often difficult to grasp. The good news is we have the provision of His Word; we can lean into our questions. He certainly isn't afraid of them.
Key Verse | 1 Timothy 3:16
By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness:
He who was revealed in the flesh,
Was vindicated in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory.
(1 Timothy 3:16)
1 Timothy 3
Qualifications for Overseers
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer 1 3:2 Or bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1 must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, 2 3:2 Or a man of one woman; also verse 12 sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Qualifications for Deacons
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, 3 3:8 Or devious in speech not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise 4 3:11 Or Wives likewise, or Women likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
The Mystery of Godliness
14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He
5
3:16
Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which
was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated
6
3:16
Or justified
by the Spirit,
7
3:16
Or vindicated in spirit
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
Footnotes
[1] 3:2 Or bishop; Greek episkopos; a similar term occurs in verse 1[2] 3:2 Or a man of one woman; also verse 12
[3] 3:8 Or devious in speech
[4] 3:11 Or Wives likewise, or Women likewise
[5] 3:16 Greek Who; some manuscripts God; others Which
[6] 3:16 Or justified
[7] 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit
Dive Deeper | 1 Timothy 3
In December 2007, I attended a Christmas concert. To my surprise, I responded to "Silent Night" in a way I never had before. I felt prompted to get into church for the sake of myself and my kids. After a little searching, I pushed the thought aside. I allowed doubt to take control, and I gave up.
Later in 2008, I kept hearing about Watermark. Again, I felt prompted to go. But I was always too busy, too tired, too (insert excuse here) to attend. One day, to my surprise, I found out that some dear friends were members. I knew then that God was pursuing me.
But I didn't get the "Jesus thing." I didn't believe, quite honestly, that we are in need of a savior. I figured if someone was a good person, God would grant that person eternal life. I planned to attend a service to worship God. If people talked about Jesus that would be okay, but that wasn't the reason I was going (or so I thought).
One of the songs played during that very first service was "Jesus Paid It All." Almost instantly, the Holy Spirit washed over me. Our need for a savior was finally clear. "Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow."
I didn't fully understand it, but I knew it to be true. The question was no longer, "Are we in need of a savior," but, "How do I respond?" It was clear that I needed to do everything I could to begin to learn about my Savior, who had been pursuing me for so long and never gave up on me. The mystery of godliness leads us to pursue Him, and on that journey we begin to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
My husband does not yet know Christ. Who knows, by the time this is published, maybe he will have come to know Him (all in God's perfect time). He is searching, but it is strange to him. Thank Goodness I remember feeling the same. But God, whose ways are not our ways, is mighty to save us all.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you know Christ as your personal Savior? "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." (John 16:24, NIV)
2. Do you know if you will go to heaven? If you are unsure, lean into it (John 5:24), because you can't earn your ticket (Ephesians 2:8-9).
3. Once you know Christ as your Savior, how do you respond (1 Timothy 3:1-15)? Be encouraged; there is abundant grace in the journey (Lamentations 3:22-24).
4. Do you struggle with faith? There is no struggle too big for God (James 1:2-18).
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
September 3-7 (2 Thessalonians 3- 1 Timothy 4)
Read 1 Timothy 4:7-12.
• What sports or physical exercise do you like to do?
• What do you have to do if you want to be good or better at one of them?
• What does Paul tell Timothy is more important than physical exercise?
• How can you train yourself for spiritual fitness?
• What does verse 12 say about young believers?
• What are the ways verse 12 says you can be an example to older believers?
Activity: Write all the words to verse 12 on separate pieces of paper. Place them all face down on the other side of your room or backyard. Everyone make a line. Now, one at a time, run down and grab one and bring it back. Keep doing this until the words of the verse are in order. Repeat until you have the verse memorized. You can also make it fun by timing yourself each time to see how fast you can put it in order.