The following are suggested answers for the Message Based Discussion Questions from the introductory message in the new series on 1 Timothy. The questions and answers follow the insert outline of the message. These answers are not designed to be the only answers, but to provide a stimulus to promote thinking.

 What does it mean “Train Your Replacements”?

1)    God has you on a spiritual adventure (a joy journey)

• Past:
• Present:
• Future:
  • Biblical foundation:  1 Tim. 1:3, 4, 9-10
  • Relational environment: 1 Tim. 2:8-14
  • Intentional discipleship:  1 Tim. 4:12-16
  • Reproducible process: 2 Tim. 2:2

2)    God’s adventure for you involves other people

• Connecting: Missionary Journeys
  • 2 Tim. 1:4; 4:9, 21
  • Equipping:       1 Tim. 1:3

Fight through ________________ 1 Tim. 1:18

Lead in your _________________ 1 Tim. 3:14-15

• Multiplying
  • Instruct truth faithfully  1 Tim. 4:6
  • Do not be hasty to appoint elders 1 Tim. 5:22
  • Multiply yourself 2 Tim. 2:2

Your spiritual adventure in Jesus needs replacements in your exit strategy.

Your replacement strategy requires:

• a plan for discipleship 2 Tim. 2:2
• a multiplication focus 2 Tim. 3:7
• faith living out of your comfort zone Phil. 4:13

Message Based Discussion Questions

1)    What were/are some of the awkward moments of your spiritual adventure?

• When I came home from a church camp, I didn’t know how to talk to my family about my decision to trust Jesus Christ.
• When I walked an aisle of commitment as a teen, I didn’t have any followup.
• When I led on a beach project, I was uneasy when the organizational leadership left for their training and I was in charge.
• When I didn’t have any pants to wear for the Sunday pm service in Minneapolis, except for the work shorts I was working in at my starter home.
• Too many to mention!

Digging Deeper:

2)    What were some of the events in Joseph’s spiritual adventure (Genesis 38-50)?  What were some of the peaks and valleys? Did the Lord lose control at certain points? What Scripture would you point to for that answer?

• Joseph’s events:
  • He told his family his dreams.
  • Sent by Jacob to check on his brothers.
  • Thrown into the pit by his brothers.
  • Sold into slavery by his brothers and taken to Egypt.
  • Ruled in Potiphar’s household.
  • Thrown in jail by Potiphar.
  • Interpreted the dreams of the butler and baker.
  • Forgotten in jail by the butler.
  • Promoted to Prime Minister after interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams.
  • Helped brothers who were in need of food.
  • Brought family to safety and blessing of Egypt.
  • Gave God the glory for his adventure.
• The Lord never lost control Gen. 50:20.

3)    What were some of Paul’s “great” achievements (Phil. 3:1-6)? __Pharisee of Pharisees_; _Hebrew of Hebrews_; _Persecutor of the Church__  How did Jesus use Paul’s background to prepare him for his present and future (Phil. 3:7-14)?

• He helped Paul see that none of his successes or achievements mattered.
• He used the background to show the dramatic contrast of the human success versus divine sharing of Christ’s suffering.
• He showed through Paul that only growing and serving in Christ mattered at all.
• He was a good student as a Pharisee and he was a good student of Jesus.
• He denied his own wants as a Pharisee and he denied his own wants as a servant of Jesus.

4)    When Paul left Titus in Crete, did he leave him without a purpose (Titus 1:5)? _No, he was to appoint elders_  What were some of his purposes ( of Titus)? How do you suppose Paul discipled Titus?

• Appoint elders 1:5-9
• Be faithful to the Word and rebuke idle talkers 1:10
• Stand up to the lazy Cretans 1:12
• Speak sound doctrine 2:1f
• Disciple all people in the church  2:2-10
• Exhort to good works 2:11-14
• Admonish the church to be subject to governing authorities 3:1

Making application from the message to life:

5)    Who are some of the people that have positively influenced you in your spiritual journey?  How will you pass on what they did for you?

• Pastor Johnson as pastor of my church when I was a new Christian.
• Woody Johnson, who was my Action Group Leader, while involved in Campus Crusade for Christ.
• John Hosler, who was a pastor friend I met with when first moving to Indianapolis
• George Meisinger, who was a pastor in Minneapolis and then long distance over the last 20 years.

6)    Some people don’t respond like you might hope?  How do you remain positive (godly) to keep discipling? What kinds of things should you keep in mind?

• Keep my eyes on Jesus and serve Him, leaving the results to Him Heb. 12:2
• Be willing to be poured out as a drink offering on the service and sacrifice of their faith Phil. 2:17
• Know that people are my hope, joy and crown of rejoicing 1 Thes. 2:19-20
• Love God and love others Matt. 22:37-39
• Obedience to His command to make disciples Matt. 28:19-20

7)    Do you see people you are involved with as part of your spiritual adventure?  How can you be a source of encouragement and even discipleship to help them in their spiritual adventure?

• Yes, for blessing and for growth.
• Get to know them as a person by listening.
• Be more concerned about their story than trying to tell my story.
• Consider what will spur them on to love and good works.