July 4-9
1 Timothy 3-6 & 2 Timothy 1-2
GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.
Monday, July 4 1 Timothy 3 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. In 1 Timothy 3 Paul stresses the important qualifications for those who would serve as “overseers” and “deacons” in the church. An “overseer” is undoubtedly what we would call a “pastor” today. How do the qualifications for overseers listed in verses 1–7 relate to Paul’s overall concern for “sound doctrine” set forth in chapter one? In other words, what is the connection between the service of qualified pastors and purity of doctrine?
Tuesday, July 5 1 Timothy 4 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. In 1 Timothy 4:1 Paul identifies “deceitful spirits” and “demons” as being responsible for leading some to abandon the faith. However, their faith-destroying work is done indirectly, through false teachers whom Paul describes as “hypocritical liars” (NIV). Explain what Paul means when he describes the consciences of such men as having been “seared” with a hot iron. Hint: What is meat like that has been seared? These false teachers were guilty of legalism—of making new “laws” and “demands” which the Scriptures do not make. What two examples of legalism are given in verse 3?
Wednesday, July 6 1 Timothy 5 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
3. Review 1 Timothy 5:13 Why are “gossips and busybodies” especially destructive in the life of the church? (See James 3:3–6)
Thursday, July 7 1 Timothy 6 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
4. Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10. Does being content mean that Christians are forbidden to set their sights on “better things” than they presently enjoy? Why or why not? (In addition to today’s reading, you might reread 1 Timothy 4:4.)
Friday, July 8 2 Timothy 1 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
5. In 2 Timothy 1:6 Paul writes of the “gift of God” that Timothy should continue to fan into flame. Read the following passages and from them surmise what special abilities were included in this “gift” that Timothy possessed:
1 Timothy 4:6
1 Timothy 4:11–14
1 Timothy 5:17
Saturday, July 9 2 Timothy 2 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
6. 2 Timothy 2:11–13 may have been an early Christian hymn. The phrase, “If we died with Him,” refers to more than just physical death. By what means has every Christian “died” with Christ? See Romans 6:3–4. How does verse 12 speak to the experiences of Paul and the church at his time (as well as ours)? See also Romans 8:18.
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