Bible Study Questions

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Bible Study Questions David H. Horner, Senior Pastor Sermon for the week of February 17, 2013… “Models of Mercy” 1 Timothy 5:1-16

Models of Mercy 1 Timothy 5:1-6 INTRODUCTION Today/tonight we will be discussing what it means to care for others as followers of Jesus Christ. Our key text is 1 Timothy 5:1-16, which was the focus of Pastor David Horner’s sermon, “Models of Mercy,” presented on February 17, 2013. ENGAGE THE GROUP Let’s begin with a question—what stirs your spiritual appetite? DISCUSS/SHARE Looking back, what stimulated your interest and stirred your hunger to know God? DISCUSS/SHARE In his sermon, Pastor Horner stated: “One of the greatest attractions in a life transformed by Jesus Christy is the presence of a genuine model of mercy…an example of what it means to care for others in a way that cannot be explained apart from Christ.” Can anyone share how you came to know Jesus Christ as the result of someone who was an example of true Christ-like behavior, both in action and in word? DISCUSS/SHARE As Pastor Horner stated in his sermon, “in order to give validity to the verbal message of the gospel, we have to learn how to speak appropriately to everyone and provide proportionately for everyone.” In essence, this is the heart of Paul’s message to Timothy, as we shall read in 1 Timothy 5:1-16. As you will see, there are specific kinds of people that Paul cites, to help prepare Timothy for his pastoral work with the church at Ephesus. We will be discussing these examples as we work our way through the text. Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as 2 brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. (1Timothy 5:1-2)

Who is Paul citing in these two verses, and what is he telling Timothy to do when it comes to relating to these people? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP RECOGNIZE: PAUL WANTS TIMOTHY TO BE AWARE OF HOW TO ADDRESS (1) OLDER MEN, (2) YOUNGER MEN, (3) OLDER WOMEN, AND (4) YOUNGER WOMEN IN HIS CONGREGATION, WHEN IT IS IMPERATIVE TO ADDRESS THEM ABOUT SPIRITUAL MATTERS. Why do you think it’s important for Timothy to understand the importance of being able to say the right thing in the right way? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP UNDERSTAND: • YOU MIGHT HAVE THE RIGHT MESSAGE, BUT YOU CAN SAY IT THE WRONG WAY • YOU CAN INFLICT HURT AND ACCOMPLISH LITTLE GOOD IF WHAT YOU SAY IS DONE IN A HARSH OR INSENSITIVE MANNER What kind of challenges might you or I have when addressing someone who is older than we are? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR: • RESPECT AND HONOR • AVOIDANCE OF CARELESS, RUDE OR DISRESPECTFUL SPEECH • GREATER SENSITIVITY IN ORDER TO AVOID OVERSHADOWING THE TRUTH BY UNKIND, DEMEANING OR SARCASTIC SPEECH AND TONE • KEEPING IN MIND—HOW YOU RESPECT SOMEONE IS SHOWN IN HOW YOU COMMUNICATE! What might be a good way to ensure that we address someone older in the proper way? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP RECOGNIZE: • NEED TO TREAT OLDER MEN LIKE FATHERS, AND OLDER WOMEN LIKE MOTHERS What about a peer or someone younger? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP RECOGNIZE • NEED TO TREAT THEM LIKE A BROTHER OR SISTER • RESPECT THEM AS PEERS OR EQUALS What do think Paul is saying when he tells Timothy to address the people “in all purity?” DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP RECOGNIZE:

• • • •

NEED TO TREAT OLDER WOMEN WITH TENDERNESS AND CARE NEED TO TREAT YOUNGER WOMEN WITH PURITY AND PRUDENCE NEED TO COMMUNICATE WITH EXCEPTIONAL SENSITIVITY NEED TO AVOID INAPPROPIATE WORDS OR ACTIONS—NOT EVEN HINT!

Paul counsels us regarding how we speak to others in two other epistles. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:6) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29) As Pastor Horner proclaimed, “Never back away when correction is needed, but pray, and pray and pray some more that you would do so in the manner most suited for the individual to whom you must speak. This is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ assignment.” Remember people are watching, and where appropriate, it may be better to allow someone of the same sex address the person, in order to maintain prudence and purity and a proper model of mercy. As believers would should endeavor to provide for real needs in all faithfulness. Let’s continue reading our 1 Timothy passage, as Paul addresses the subject of widows. 4

Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, 5 for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her 6 hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self7 indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things as well, so that they may be 8 without reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for 9 members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one 10 husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has 11 devoted herself to every good work. But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their 12 passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for 13 having abandoned their former faith. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they 14 should not. So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their 15 households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. For some have already 16 strayed after Satan. If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows. (1Timothy 5:3-16) How would you explain what Paul is saying in this passage in one short sentence? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP UNDERSTAND THAT THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE PAUL IS MAKING IS FOUND IN VERSE 5:8. AS PASTOR HORNER EXPLAINED, “THE FAMILY OF FAITH CONSISTS OF INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES THAT MUST TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN AS LOING AS THERE IS FAMILY TO DO SO.” But what if there is no “household” or family to step up and help? Let’s see how Paul addresses this, as we break down 1 Timothy 5:3-15.

Let’s return to the passage and identify the three distinct categories that Paul identifies in addressing the subject of widows. First, widows living with relatives, 1 Timothy 5:6-8, what does Paul seek to tell us in these verses? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP SEE THAT PAUL SAYS IF YOU HAVE RELATIVES IN YOUR OWN FAMILY WHO ARE WIDOWED, YOU ARE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. Next, Paul addresses widows indeed and truly in need, 1 Timothy 5:9-10 and 16. What are the qualifications that Paul gives for a widow to be considered a “widow indeed?” DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP IDENTIFY: 1. NOT LESS THAN 60 YEARS OLD (5:9) 2. A WIFE OF ONE HUSBAND (5:9) 3. A REPUTATION FOR GOOD WORKS (5:10) What kind of good works would be associated with a “widow indeed?” DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP IDENTIFY: • HAS BROUGHT UP CHILDREN • HAS SHOWN HOSPITALITY • HAS SERVED THE SAINTS (“SYMBOLIZED BY WASHING THEIR FEET) • HAS ASSISTED THOSE IN DISTRESS • HAS DEVOTED HERSELF, ALWAYS LOOKS FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO DO WHAT IS GOOD Third, Paul addresses widows likely to remarry, 1 Timothy 5:11-15. What does Paul say is the church’s response to these widows? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP RECOGNIZE • CHURCH IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR WELFARE • CHURCH SHOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE, CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY AND THE CHURCH • WHEN POSSIBLE, THEY SHOULD REMARY AND DEVOTE THEMSELVES TO THEIR NEW FAMILIES As Pastor Horner summarized these verses, “the principle involved is that those who have the health and strength of younger years to be productive, they should do so and not expect the church to take over their welfare.” In his concluding remarks, Pastor Horner also stated: “Not every widow needs financial help, and not every elderly person needs physical care, but everyone longs to matter to someone else.”

Please keep in that mind as I read from James 1:27: Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:27) So, what can you or I offer to these special populations that would allow us to live out what Paul and James tell us? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP INDENTIFY: • GIVE THEM YOUR TIME • GIVE THEM YOUR LISTENING EAR • GIVE THEM YOUR RESPECT (TREASURE THEIR IDEAS AND MEMORIES) What might you receive in return by seeking to do this? DISCUSS/SHARE HAVE GROUP RECOGNIZE: • A LOVING FRIENDSHIP (GREAT ANTIDOTE TO LONELINESS!) • A LIFE-TIME OF WISDOM • A FAITHFUL PRAYER PARTNER CLOSING As Pastor Horner reminded us, our words should always build up (edify) others, not tear them down. We are representatives (“ambassadors”) of Jesus Christ and must learn to speak with sensitivity and care, even when it is necessary to address a problem in the body of Christ. We should always remember that the world is seeking “authentic love,” practical demonstrations of affection that go beyond the human heart and tap into the eternal love of Jesus Christ. When we strive to do this, we can love our widows and lonely ones, letting them know they are valued contributors to godly community. All this is made possible through the gospel, which: • Creates harmony among followers of Jesus Christ • Demonstrates honor within His family • Cultivates holiness in His followers. Any final comments? CLOSE WITH PRAYER