STEERING A STRAIGHT COURSE
Introduction:
Looking back on verses 1-9 we can see them portraying people and attitudes to be avoided (5b), but if Timothy is going to steer a straight course he has not only to avoid dangers, but he must follow positive standards and examples (10-17).
In doing so he has both the life of his teacher, Paul (10-14) and also the unerring Scriptures (15-17).
1.Timothy is to follow his teacher, Paul (10-14)
(a) Paul was able repeatedly to stress his own personal example (1:13; 2:2; 1 Cor. 4:16, 17; 11:1; Phil. 4:9).
If it is true that we often learn best through example, what does this suggest about our lives lived in the fellowship of the local church and our home situations?
(b) Paul lists nine elements in his life with which Timothy is familiar (10,11).Try recalling incidents in the life of Paul - in the Acts and his letters - which demonstrate these characteristics.
i.Think about the content of Paul’s teaching, e.g. Acts 20:27, and how this was a good example to Timothy - and ourselves.
How does Paul’s attitude to the Thessalonians - which Timothy witnessed - exemplify much that Paul is reminding him of here (1 Thess. 1:5b, 6; 2:7-12)?
Of what value are these characteristics to us?
ii. What were the experiences in Antioch (Acts 13:14-52, esp. vs. 49-52), Iconium (Acts 14:1-7) and Lystra (Acts 14:8-20, esp. 19,20), which Paul would have had in mind?
What is the point of his emphasising his persecutions here (11a, 12)?
How would this have been an encouragement to Timothy.
iii. Why should Paul need to urge Timothy to ‘continue in what you have learned...’ (14)?
How does this tie in with our own experience?
2.Timothy is to follow the Scriptures (15-17)
(a) for Timothy what were the ‘holy Scriptures’, and what were they able to do?
How would you point someone to Christ, using the Old Testament?
Jesus could do so (Luke 24:44,45), so could Philip (Acts 8:26-35), and Paul (Acts 13:15-43).How is, for example, Isa. 53 able to point toward salvation?
(b) What encouragement do you find in these verses for trying to get people to read the Bible - both Old and New Testaments?
If you wanted to help someone toward salvation, what part of the Bible would you encourage them to read?Why?
(c) What do you understand by ‘All Scripture is God-breathed’ (16)?
See also 2 Pet. 1:20,21.
Why is this an important truth for us to understand?
(d) Think about the breadth of usefulness of the Scriptures (16), and the way in which these four facets cover all our needs.
Related references are: 2 Pet. 1:3,4; Psa. 119:105; Heb. 4:12.
Notice how deeply David appreciated God’s Word (Psa. 19:7-13).
(e) What is Scripture designed to achieve (17)?
How does Psa. 119:9-16 help in attaining this?
What ‘good works’ does God have for us to do in Caterham - across the spectrum of family life, church involvement and working relationships?