1 Timothy 1:1-20 Discussion Guide

DISCUSSION GUIDE 2.20.2022

1 Timothy 1:1-20

Group Discussion Questions:

As you reflect on the sermon this week, how did the Holy Spirit speak to your heart? Was there a verse/passage that stood out to you? Share why the verse or passage struck you.

In a Nutshell

Paul greeted his good friend and spiritual son, Timothy, then got right into warnings about false teaching and legalism—opposites of true faith and grace. Paul then explained how God’s truth worked in his own life and urged Timothy to embrace faithfulness.

Read and discuss verses 1-7

• Terry began his sermon talking about Ockham’s razor—in your own words, describe the term? Why is it essential for us to understand this principle? What are the implications for us if we don’t?
• How do we see the lack of this principle played out in verses 5-7? What were the results? What are the implications for us personally?
• “⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” From this verse, what is the goal of knowing Biblical truth? What do we learn about love from the passage? What are the implications?
• Terry stated, “This doesn’t mean love as a subjective emotion divorced from truth.” What did he mean by this statement?

Read and discuss verses 8-11

• These verses affirm the goodness of the law when used for its intended purpose—How would you summarize these verses in your own words?

Read and discuss verses 12-16

• Paul gives his personal testimony in these verses—when you read the verses, do any personal implications come to mind? Share your thoughts with the group.
• Do you find room for pride, self-promotion, and vindictiveness in this passage? Why?

Read and discuss verses 17-20

• Verse 17 is a prayer of praise—take a minute and unpack the prayer. Contemplate God’s eternal nature, which has complete power, authority, and infinite presence. How does this prayer comfort you, and why?
• Read verses 15 and 17 together—15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst…17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. How does this cause us to think differently about ourselves?
• Verse 20 deals with some guys who have shipwrecked themselves. How? What do we learn about church discipline? What is the goal of church discipline?

Conclusion/Application: There is a theory of everything, but it is no theory–it is a reality–“In the beginning God…” God is the foundational reality of everything, and from him comes the foundational principle or strategy or pattern for how we are to think about and go about our lives. Terry summed it up with the word faithfulness.

Keep our minds, hearts, and lives moving in the direction of passion and pace…enduring faithfulness. View your life this week through the lens of these three verses:

⁵The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
¹⁵Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”
¹⁷Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

How did the Holy Spirit speak to your heart today? What personal implications can you make? What do I need God to do in me or through me as a result of today’s discussion?