Mar 24, 2019
Nurturing God’s Family “In the Sight of God, Stand Strong!” 1 Timothy 6:3-21
By: (All)
Series: Nurturing God’s Family

Growth Group Questions for the week of 3/24/19

 

1)     In 1 Timothy 6:3-4, Paul tells Timothy 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing.

 

The leaders of a church have the primary responsibility for ensuring that “sound instruction” is being given. Do non-leaders have any role in this? What can those who are not in leadership do to help ensure that the teaching that is being offered is in line with the truth of God’s word? What would be the appropriate thing to do if you believed that our church was no longer teaching the truth?

 

 

 

2)     In 1 Timothy 6: 6-10, Paul shares, “6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

You have likely heard the phrase, “Have an attitude of gratitude”. What does having gratitude have to do with contentment? What steps do you take to help you to be thankful and content with your life? How should we view God in the midst of these considerations?

How can a believer guard against falling in love with money? Is it wrong for Christians to have a lot of money? Why or why not? How can a person who is rich glorify God with their money?

 

 

 

3)     Paul charged Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:13-16 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

Why is it important for a church to remember that all they do is “in the sight of God”? What problems could develop if they don’t? Read Revelation Chapter 3:14-18. The church in Laodicea had a view of themselves that was much different than how Jesus saw them. What were the differences? Generally speaking, is there any way that a church can guard against having such a distorted view of itself?  

 

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  • Mar 24, 2019Nurturing God’s Family “In the Sight of God, Stand Strong!” 1 Timothy 6:3-21
    Mar 24, 2019
    Nurturing God’s Family “In the Sight of God, Stand Strong!” 1 Timothy 6:3-21
    By: (All)
    Series: Nurturing God’s Family

    Growth Group Questions for the week of 3/24/19

     

    1)     In 1 Timothy 6:3-4, Paul tells Timothy 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing.

     

    The leaders of a church have the primary responsibility for ensuring that “sound instruction” is being given. Do non-leaders have any role in this? What can those who are not in leadership do to help ensure that the teaching that is being offered is in line with the truth of God’s word? What would be the appropriate thing to do if you believed that our church was no longer teaching the truth?

     

     

     

    2)     In 1 Timothy 6: 6-10, Paul shares, “6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

    You have likely heard the phrase, “Have an attitude of gratitude”. What does having gratitude have to do with contentment? What steps do you take to help you to be thankful and content with your life? How should we view God in the midst of these considerations?

    How can a believer guard against falling in love with money? Is it wrong for Christians to have a lot of money? Why or why not? How can a person who is rich glorify God with their money?

     

     

     

    3)     Paul charged Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:13-16 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

    Why is it important for a church to remember that all they do is “in the sight of God”? What problems could develop if they don’t? Read Revelation Chapter 3:14-18. The church in Laodicea had a view of themselves that was much different than how Jesus saw them. What were the differences? Generally speaking, is there any way that a church can guard against having such a distorted view of itself?  

     

  • Mar 17, 2019Empowering Our Messengers: Caring For Those We Send Philippians 4:10-20
    Mar 17, 2019
    Empowering Our Messengers: Caring For Those We Send Philippians 4:10-20
    By: (All)
    Series: Nurturing God’s Family
    What they do. . .      They have concern, show concern, renew concern (v. 10b)      They seek opportunities to help, and continue to help (v. 10 b)      They love radically (their love is rare, their giving lavish) (v. 15) How they make a difference. . .      They sustain and empower the sent one (vv. 10, 18)      They create joy in the sent one (v. 10a)      They share in the heart of the sent one (vv. 12, 13) How they benefit. . .      They share in the sent one’s joy (v. 10)      They are blessed by God (v. 19)      They are to be rewarded by God (v. 17)     How they glorify God. . .      They bear fruit for God (v. 17)      They please God (v. 18c)      They participate in the heart of God, the gospel (v. 15)
  • Mar 10, 2019“Teach well, live well.” 1 Timothy 4:1-16
    Mar 10, 2019
    “Teach well, live well.” 1 Timothy 4:1-16
    By: (All)
    Series: Nurturing God’s Family
    How do we apply these principles?  
    1. Wrong, or just a difference of opinion? While God leaves many things God to our own choices, sound doctrine is not one of them. Called “the truth,” “the deposit,” and here, “the faith,” God’s word is to be a church’s focus (1 Tim. 1:3, 4; 2 Tim. 4:1-5; Titus 1:10, 11). What are the things Paul lists that are drawing people away from truth? Why is Paul so passionate about all of this? Are these teachers naive, or purposefully deceptive? How can you tell? Why would the false teachers be targeting marriage and dietary laws?
     
    1. For or Against? Though Paul warns against false doctrines, that is not the emphasis. We are to teach what God is FOR, such as grace, mercy, and love, which He pours out freely in the gospel and which overflows into the lives of others. Why do so many think of godliness as deprivation (as in “diet”) rather than richness (think “nutrition”). If Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10), why are we so tempted by the “junk food” of sin to turn away from the full spiritual nourishment at His blessed table (Eph. 1:3-12)? Is Jesus truly our “Bread of Life”? Are we satisfied in Him? John 6:35
     
    1. Consistency or Convenience? At least a dozen imperatives dot this passage, Life is not a game, nor a vacation, nor a spa. It is a boot camp where we learn the discipline of discipleship. How is this different from salvation by works, or earning God’s favor by working? What are some practical things Paul lists for spiritually staying on track? Hebrews 12:1-17
  • Feb 24, 2019“Recognize, train, and follow godly leaders.” 1 Timothy 3:1-16
    Feb 24, 2019
    “Recognize, train, and follow godly leaders.” 1 Timothy 3:1-16
    By: (All)
    Series: Nurturing God’s Family
      How do we apply these principles?  
    1. God alone creates leaders. The risen Christ, through His Spirit, gives and empowers men to lead His church (Eph. 4:1-16). Ours is to recognize God’s hand in the lives of these men, train them, and make certain they are the true leaders of the church, as opposed to the ungodly, imposters, greedy, or power-hungry. The church must be active and vigilant, not passive, in this process.
     
    1. What’s in a name? The New Testament pictures each church led by a team of men, “elders” (pl.), also known as “overseers,” or “pastors,” all terms for the same office, not a hierarchy (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-3). They were never called “priests,” since all believers are priests (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:5, 6). Deacons were men who, often with their wives (1 Tim. 3:11), ministered to the physical needs of the flock, caring in practical ways for widows and others as needed. We see this pattern evolve in the first church (Acts 6:1-6).
     
    1. Who’s Number One? The apostles’ favorite sport was arguing over who was the greatest. That may sound strange, but the love of power and the desire to control others runs deep within us. Jesus always corrected his erring leader wannabees by reminding them that (1) Leadership is rooted in loving and serving others, not controlling them, (2) the greatest leader is the one who serves the best, and (3) He Himself is the pattern for leadership in in laying down His life for others. When we truly seek to apply those principles in choosing leaders, the field of candidates can quickly shrink!  Matt. 18:1-4; Luke 22:24-27; John 13
  • Feb 17, 2019“Pray God’s Salvation, Reflect God’s Creation.”
    Feb 17, 2019
    “Pray God’s Salvation, Reflect God’s Creation.”
    By: (All)
    Series: Nurturing God’s Family
    How do we apply these principles?  
    1. Jew and Gentile? God’s promise to Abraham (Gen. 12) was to bless all nations. But false teachers (1:6-11) misinterpreted the law, and at the same time were continuing the traditions of the law that separated Jews from the “unclean” Gentiles (4:1-4). So Paul encourages all kinds of prayers for all kinds of people at all times and places. Do you pray daily for the nations? Acts 17:24-28
     
    1. Prayer and Anger? Apparently the public worship services had become divisive, and men indifferent, so Paul calls for the men to lead spiritually with unifying prayer. Jesus warned, also relating worship and anger, that before we offer a sacrifice, we should go and first be reconciled to our brother (Matthew 5:21-26). Do you have an unreconciled relationship with a brother or sister in Christ?
     
    1. Equal and Submissive? Paul challenges alternative gender narratives, making some connections which were obvious to his culture but not our own. He is not addressing a woman’s native abilities, but her classic responsibilities, which, like the man’s, can’t be outsourced or ignored. He is not saying a woman can’t be a queen, president, or CEO, or work outside the home. He is opposing the heresy that with the coming of the Kingdom, gender differences disappeared, so marriage and motherhood no longer matter. Jesus did not come to upend Creation, but restore it.
      Just as the Son submits to the Father within the equality of the Trinity, man and woman fulfill complementary functions as equals before God. Ephesians 5; 1 Corinthians 7, 11, 14
  • Feb 10, 2019“God’s Grace: Admit Exhibit A”
    Feb 10, 2019
    “God’s Grace: Admit Exhibit A”
    By: (All)
    Series: Nurturing God’s Family
    How do we apply these principles?  
    1. Excuse or Explanation? Paul never excuses his sin. While God does not judge us for what we don’t know (Luke 12:47, 48), that is not Paul’s point here, since that would make no sense of his claim to be the greatest of sinners. And, the “reason” (v. 13) for God’s mercy is the same as that in verse 16: Paul was shown mercy as a pattern to all who would ever believe in Jesus. His was ignorance IN UNBELIEF, and is blameworthy (Romans 1:18-20; 2 Peter 3:5, 16). But just as grace moved him from unbelief to faith, it does so for any sinner on the way to forgiveness. This is good news to all who want to be saved, regardless of our past. Matthew 11:28-30
          
    1. Humility or Hyperbole? Why would Paul be the chief of sinners? First, he was the chief opponent of Jesus and the church, even consenting to Steven’s execution (Acts 7:57–8:3; 9:1, 2). His own testimony reveals his hatred for Jesus and His people (Acts 26:9-11). Second, that hatred was rooted in the self-righteousness of the Pharisees, who believed that they kept the Law, and there-fore were right with God (Philippians 3:2-6). So Paul’s “ignorance” was not innocence, but like that of those who had rejected Jesus and to whom Peter appealed to repent (Acts 2:22, 23; 3:11-23).
     
    1. Now what? The Gospel confronts us with decisions. Have you accepted or rejected God’s offer of forgiveness in Jesus? Do you share Paul’s passion for God’s love and grace?  Are you telling others about Him? Titus 3:3-7
  • Feb 3, 2019“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” 1 Timothy 1:1-11
    Feb 3, 2019
    “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” 1 Timothy 1:1-11
    By: (All)
    Series: Nurturing God’s Family
    How do we apply these principles?  
    1. Law or Love? The Pharisees hated Jesus, but loved the Law of Moses. He reminded them that they had not kept the Law (John 7:19). Steven also was killed for the same reason (Acts 7:53). The point is that if no one has or can keep the law perfectly, it is foolish to keep insisting on it as a way to be right with God, especially as the New Covenant was destined to replace it (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Love always was the goal, since love fulfills the Law (Romans 13:8-10). Without love, law becomes a path to self-righteousness.  
          
    1. Direction or Distraction? Satan does not care how we get distracted from the gospel, as long as we do. These teachers were distracted by myths and genealogies related to the Law of Moses, but what about us? We can be distracted by debates on the age of the earth, the date of The Flood, keeping the Sabbath, the extent of the atonement, Bible translations, or the abuses of prosperity theology and the spiritual gifts. Is anything distracting you from the God’s revelation of grace in Jesus? Philippians 2:1-4; 4:2, 3
     
    1. Nice Citizens or New Creatures? The New Covenant “works” because it provides, by faith, what the Law did not: a clear conscience (sins forgiven), a pure heart (God’s life), and power to change (God’s Spirit). Paul does not say our goal is politeness, but love, a joyful love produced by the New Covenant gifts, not a slavish fear of punishment. It is finished. Rest in Jesus. Hebrews 9:8-14; 10:11-18
  • Jan 27, 2019“Whose house is this?”
    Jan 27, 2019
    “Whose house is this?”
    By: (All)
    Series: Nurturing God’s Family
    How do we apply these principles?  
    1. Ownership or Stewardship? Church leaders must lead as shepherds of God’s flock, not cattle drivers on their own ranch. So when we talk about “household rules,” we must be sure we are not imposing our own ideas, but implementing God’s will. Peter is clear about this (1 Peter 5:1-4) as is Paul in Acts 20. There is no place for self-assured dictators or manipulators or those who would enslave others. On the other hand, there should be a quiet confidence in the authority of Scripture and the presence of the Spirit.
     
    1. Methods or Principles? While principles do not change, methods are quite variable. This is why no two churches are alike, nor should they be expected to be. There always are attempts to clone churches in the likeness of the “Mother Church,” leading to cult-like adherence to manmade rules. So Paul constantly warns against both the abuse of the Law AND lawlessness! A church is a living organism, pulsating with the very life of God, and our task is more like tending and pruning a vine than manufacturing a product. Jesus, who has died for the churches, watches over them, gifts them, and blesses them. The job of leaders is to facilitate the church’s growth according to its own DNA. Revelation 2, 3
     
    1. Create or Proclaim? While creativity is welcome in methods, the central message should be defended against all innovation. God has acted and spoken into human history, culminating in the one theme, JESUS! Hebrews 1:1-3
  • Jan 13, 2019“New Church Curriculum: Sound Doctrine Applied” Titus 2:1-15
    Jan 13, 2019
    “New Church Curriculum: Sound Doctrine Applied” Titus 2:1-15
    By: (All)
    Series: Nurturing God’s Family
    What are Paul’s key points?  Titus 2:1-15 “Sound doctrine implies. . .”   ✓ Elders, act your age! vv. 1, 2 ✓ Ladies, be good role models, mentor the next generation. vv. 3-5 ✓ Young men, model self-control, watch your tongue, grow up! vv. 6-8 ✓ Employees, do your best work. vv. 9, 10 ✓ The principle: Let grace rule us in deed and destiny. vv. 11-14 ✓ Let God’s Word be the guide and the teacher’s authority. v. 15
  • Jan 6, 2019Practical Principles from The Pastoral Letters
    Jan 6, 2019
    Practical Principles from The Pastoral Letters
    By: (All)
    Series: Nurturing God’s Family
    “Just how is a church planted?”   What are Paul’s key points?  Titus 1:1-16   ✓ Authority: Ministry is rooted in God’s revelation (word). vv. 1-4 ✓ Leadership: Church elders/teachers must be carefully appointed based upon simple, but crucial           character qualities. vv. 5-9 ✓ Battleground: Leaders face false teachers, errant culture. vv. 10-16   What is the Big Idea?    A church is planted by following God’s command to appoint godly elders/pastors who will confront false teachers and counter the ungodliness of the culture by instructing others in His Word.
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