1 TIMOTHY STUDY
2
BE SURE OF GOD’S CALL 1 Timothy
1:12-20
Having
high-lighted the local problem of false teaching and the need for ‘sound
doctrine’ in the preceding verses, Paul is reminded of his own experience. The reminder may have come through his
reference to false teachers of the law, for he had been one (13), and his
reference to the ‘glorious gospel’ (11) must inevitably have reminded him of
the good news which he had finally heard and believed.
So he
reminds Timothy of his own personal testimony – his call from God (12-17), and
takes the opportunity of urging Timothy to be true to his own call (18-20).
Think
about the following ideas that arise from this passage:
1.
God is gracious in his
calling (12-14,16).
a. What elements associated with Paul’s call are found inv. 12? Paul often felt himself to be essentially weak. What was the secret of his strength (2 Cor. 12:7-10)?
We may not be brilliant or greatly gifted, but what
does God look for from us in relation to our call (1 Cor. 4:1,2)?
What are the temptations we can experience to be
unfaithful?
What strength/encouragement comes from knowing that
we’re not self-appointed, but that God has done the appointing. What help do verses like John 15:16 provide
when the going is tough?
It was something Paul never lost sight of (1 Tim.
2:5-7).
b.
Paul’s track-record before
conversion (v.13) hadn’t marked him out as an obvious
choice to be an apostle.
c.
What three things were ‘poured
out’ on Paul in his conversion and call (14)?
It’s all part of our equipping to serve the Lord – true for Paul,
Timothy and us. Think about the
significance of verses like 1 Cor. 15:9,10; 2 Cor. 12:9; 2 Tim. 2:1; Eph. 2:8;
Rom. 5:5 and 1 John 4:10-12.
All
these factors emphasise God’s graciousness in calling us.
2.
God calls us to share
the good news of Jesus (15-17)
Why is the saying that ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ – ‘trustworthy’? How would you help someone who said, ‘All these stories about Jesus are a load of myths. If He lived at all, He was just another do-gooder who came to a sticky end’?
What are the implications of the ‘full acceptance’ of this saying?
We sometimes feel that some people are too tough, too bad, too ‘anti’ to respond to the gospel. What encouragement do vs. 15,16 provide? Share information about some unlikely people you know of who have turned to Christ.
In what way is verse 17 the ultimate objective of evangelism?
3. God wants us to keep the specific terms of our calling fresh in our minds (18,19a)
‘Instruction’ (18) is the same word as ‘command’ in v. 3 – so it comes to Timothy as an ‘order’ from Paul, writing with divine authority. That’s how important it is for us to go along with God’s revealed will for us.
a. How can we get to know God’s will for us? Paul it seems had received a prophecy for Timothy. Possibly it came at the same time as the event of 2 Tim. 1:6.
How does this work out today? Leaders in our church are praying about God’s will and calling, especially for the potential Timothy’s (male or female!) in the fellowship. Should we be open to more direct approaches from our leaders? In what other ways should we look to the Lord to confirm His calling to us? Think about prayer, god’s word, our gifts, existing needs, insight of friends etc.
b. What areas of need exist in our own church and locality about which God could give us a call? And this is for all age groups, not just young people! And how about areas beyond our own locality?
c. What three things in his personal response to God’s call were going to be important for Timothy (vs. 18b,19a)?
For Timothy – and all of us – it’s going to be a fight (1 Tim.6:12; 2 Tim. 2:3,4). But we can be encouraged (2 Tim. 4:6-8).
d. What are the aids for ‘holding on to faith in a good conscience’ (19)?
Paul uses similar phrases in v.5.
4. It is possible to be disobedient (19b, 20).
a. ‘Reject’ and ‘shipwreck’ are strong words, but what in v.20 indicates that Paul’s action is remedial? He uses a similar expression in 1 Cor. 5:1-5. This step is taken with ultimate restoration in mind.
b. How do you feel that discipline should be exercised in the church? Do we view sin too lightly? Think about Acts 5:1-11.