Pursuing Godliness – 1 Timothy 6:11-21 Flee and Pursue

Materials: Bible, scrap paper or spiral notebook, colored pencils (optional);

All of the Pursuing Godliness quotes from Elizabeth George come from this study unless noted otherwise.

1) Please read 1 Timothy 6:11-21 If you would like to mark the key words and phrases in your Bible here is a list: teach, faith, doctrine, godliness, money/riches, all references to the devil, all references to prayer.

2) What does Paul tell us to flee and what 6 things are we to pursue? The list given in these verses goes right along with the fruit of the Spirit list Paul gives us in Galatians. And Paul commands us to fight the good fight and lay hold of eternal life. These actions are to be continuous. We are to keep on keeping on. “It means to be ever fleeing [sin], to never let them catch you, to realize that the margin of safety can never be too great.” Flee sin!! Pursue godliness!

Pursuing Godliness – 1 Timothy 6:1-10 Work Ethic and Belief System

Materials: Bible, scrap paper or spiral notebook, colored pencils (optional); The Bible Knowledge Commentary by Zuck; Slave by John MacArthur

All of the Pursuing Godliness quotes from Elizabeth George come from this study unless noted otherwise.

1) Please read 1 Timothy 6:1-10 If you would like to mark the key words and phrases in your Bible here is a list: teach, faith, doctrine, godliness, money/riches, all references to the devil, all references to prayer.

2) We need to better understand what it meant to be a slave during the Greco-Roman era. “Slavery was a pervasive social structure…it was so commonplace that its existence as an institution was never seriously questioned by anyone…Roughly one-fifth [12 million] of the empire’s population were slaves…Most slaves had never known freedom…To be a slave was to be in someone else’s possession, totally subjugated to one’s master in everything…Each slave owner defined the nature of his slaves’ lives. For their part, slaves had only one primary objective: to please the master in everything through their loyal obedience to him.” ~ John MacArthur

Pursuing Godliness – 1 Timothy 5:11-25 Living Above Reproach

Materials: Bible, scrap paper or spiral notebook, colored pencils (optional); The Bible Knowledge Commentary by Zuck

All of the Pursuing Godliness quotes from Elizabeth George come from this study unless noted otherwise.

1) Please read 1 Timothy 5:11-25 . If you would like to mark the key words and phrases in your Bible here is a list: teach, faith, doctrine, godliness, money/riches, all references to the devil, all references to prayer.

2) What advice does Paul give Timothy about younger widows? Timothy must have been having trouble with this group of women. Paul even states that some had “turned aside to follow Satan.” Remember back to the earlier verses in chapter 5 where Paul speaks about “widows in need” and the requirements for those who are to be served by the church. The older widows were to take an oath to serve Christ in the church all the rest of their days. This makes me think of nuns who dedicate their lives to service. But these young widows still had sensual desires and they were young enough to still have a family.

Pursuing Godliness – 1 Timothy 5:1-10 Caring for Others

Materials: Bible, scrap paper or spiral notebook, colored pencils (optional); A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George

All of the Pursuing Godliness quotes from Elizabeth George come from this study unless noted otherwise.

1) Please read 1 Timothy 5:1-10. If you would like to mark the key words and phrases in your Bible here is a list: teach, faith, doctrine, godliness, money/riches, all references to the devil, all references to prayer.

2) Paul divides the church into 4 groups. What are they and what advice does he give Timothy about each group? We need to respect and exhort the people in the church just as we would our own family members.

Pursuing Godliness – 1 Timothy 3:14-4:16 Exercising Godliness

Materials: Bible, scrap paper or spiral notebook, colored pencils (optional); The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges; The Bible Knowledge Commentary by Zuck

All of the Pursuing Godliness quotes from Elizabeth George come from this study unless noted otherwise.

1) Please read 1 Timothy 3:14-4:16. If you would like to mark the key words and phrases in your Bible here is a list: teach, faith, doctrine, godliness, money/riches, all references to the devil, all references to prayer.

2) List the six realities of the life of Christ. “The Mystery of Godliness” means that the possibility of living a godly life was, at one time, hidden, but is now revealed through Jesus. Our loyalty to Christ makes the godly life possible. These six realities show us a glimpse of God’s plan for evangelism, salvation, and discipleship. We GET to live a life that glorifies Jesus. We GET to sacrifice things of this world for rewards up in heaven. We GET to serve a kind Master instead of being enslaved by the world or flesh.

Pursuing Godliness – 1 Timothy 3:1-13 Requirements for Church Leaders

Materials: Bible, scrap paper or spiral notebook, colored pencils (optional)

All of the Pursuing Godliness quotes from Elizabeth George come from this study unless noted otherwise.

1) Please read 1 Timothy 3:1-13. If you would like to mark the key words and phrases in your Bible here is a list: teach, faith, doctrine, godliness, money/riches, all references to the devil, all references to prayer.

2) Godliness is a goal and desire for every person after God’s own heart to pursue.

Pursuing Godliness – 1 Timothy 1:18-2:15 Men, Pray. Women, Be in Quietness

Materials: Bible, scrap paper or spiral notebook, colored pencils (optional); [I also used The Bible Knowledge Commentary by Roy Zuck]

All of the Pursuing Godliness quotes from Elizabeth George come from this study unless noted otherwise.

1) Please read 1 Timothy 1:18-2:15. If you would like to mark the key words and phrases in your Bible here is a list: teach, faith, doctrine, godliness, money/riches, all references to the devil, all references to prayer.

2) Paul writes Personal Advice and Pastoral Advice at the end of chapter 1.
What duty was Timothy to fulfill? And what two spiritual necessities must Timothy hold on to?
Read 1 Timothy 1:5 and 3:9. Having faith and a good conscience go together. When one is strong so is the other. Failure in one is correlated with failure in the other. (Zuck)
Who were the two false teachers? Also see 2 Timothy 2:16-18.
What action had Paul taken?
It seems that Paul had done an “excommunication” of sorts with the motive being remediation. Hopefully these men would see the error of their ways and return to the fellowship.

Pursuing Godliness – 1 Timothy 1:1-17

Materials: Bible, scrap paper or spiral notebook, colored pencils (optional)

All of the Pursuing Godliness quotes from Elizabeth George come from this study.

Background: 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus are called the Pastoral Epistles. Paul wrote them toward the end of his ministry. These letters were not written to entire church congregations, although they would be read to the congregations. Instead they were addressed to specific pastors and were, therefore, more personal and practical. Paul’s first imprisonment took place from AD 61-62. He then had a period of freedom from around AD 62-67. It was during this time period Paul wrote 1 Timothy and Titus. 2 Timothy was written during Paul’s second imprisonment during AD 67 before his execution.

Pursuing Godliness – Titus 2

Materials: Bible, scrap paper or spiral notebook, colored pencils (optional)

1) Please read the following names of six well known women from recent history and think of one word that you think best describes that person’s character. You might want to jot down your words.

Princess Diana
Hillary Clinton
Corrie Ten Boon
Elizabeth Taylor
Harriet Tubman
Britney Spears

“Whether your description was favorable or unfavorable, the common feature is that all of them have a reputation. Though we never give it much thought, so do we. What are [you] known for? How would [your] family and friends portray [your] character?” (from Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney)

Pursuing Godliness – Begins Thursday!

I am so excited to begin this new Ladies Bible Study of Pursuing Godliness through 1 Timothy!

Now, before my male readers go, “Yuck! Ladies Bible Study cooties!” I want to express that I am of the opinion that  women should not teach men. However, as Beth Moore and Kay Arthur express when they begin a study, I want to praise any men who CHOOSE to read through this and even pick up their Bibles to learn. Not only will the Word of God richly bless you, but you might be able to have some fantastic conversations with your wife!