The following a suggestions for the Message Based Discussion Questions. These are found after a copy of the insert which was provided for the message given on October 13, 2013. The answers are designed to stimulate thinking, not to be a quick answer so thinking is absent. Enjoy.

John 17:1-4; Matt. 4:19

How do you stay on track with your disciples?

1)    Accept Jesus’ urgency 1 Tim. 1:1-2

• God our Savior (Luke 1:47; 1 Tim. 2:3; 4:10; Titus 1:3; 2:10; 3:4; Jude 25).
• Timothy – to __________ God
• “true” is _______________
• “son” is ________________________

2)    Charge followers to press forward in Truth  1 Tim. 1:3-4

• I urged you – Acts 20:28-30
• Remain –
• Charge – command as from a superior officer 1 Tim. 1:18
• Some will teach other doctrines. heterodidaskalos Knowingly, unknowingly. 1 Tim. 4:1-3; Gal. 1:6-8
• Titus 1:14; 3:9

3)    Purpose to live Jesus’ love in Truth 1 Tim. 1:5

• Purpose of the mandate is love described in three ways:
  • ____________  heart –
  • ____________  conscience – Rom.2:14-15
  • ____________  faith –

Stay on track with Jesus

by your purpose to disciple others.

• -Invite people to join you in the journey. “Follow Me.”
• -Press forward in God’s priorities. “I will make.”
• -God’s love overwhelms every challenge in life. “I will make you fishers of men.”

 

Message Based Discussion Questions

1)    When you were young, what did you learn about God and from whom did you learn it?

• God was big and holy, far different from anything on earth, from my parents and church.
• God was Someone to be respected in church.
• God was concerned that we had to live a certain way.

Digging deeper:

2)    Who were Timothy’s parents (Acts 16:1)? _A Jewish mother and Greek father_ What else do we know about Timothy (cf. Acts 17:14-15; 19:22; 1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10; Phil. 2:19-23)?

• Acts 17:14-15 Timothy remained on in Thessalonica with Silas, when Paul was driven out. He was getting a great opportunity for OJT. Timothy was then directed by Paul to join him in Athens.
• Acts 19:22 Paul sent Timothy into Macedonia with Erastus to do evangelism and mission work, while Paul stayed in Asia Minor for a time.
• 1 Cor. 4:17 Timothy was Paul’s beloved and faithful son, disciple under authority, who would be able to teach others.  Timothy had learned well and was in the spiritual young adult phase.
• 1 Cor. 16:10 Timothy struggled with inadequacy and was hesitant at times, but Paul saw the potential in Timothy.
• Phil. 2:19-23 Paul trusted Timothy and knew his condition as a humble servant. Timothy was like-minded with Paul and would be with the Philippians very concerned about the Philippians. Timothy was like a humble son who has served well alongside of Paul.

3)    Which direction was Paul looking in life (Phil. 3:7-14)? _forward and up_ How would you describe Paul’s sense of urgency in the Christian life (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24-27)?

• He was pressing forward. He was not looking back.  He did not want to spend time back there. He wanted to experience the power of Jesus Christ in the fellowship of His sufferings.
• He knew he had not arrived, but he was pressing forward.
• His pursuit was one of urgency and energy. The word “pursuit” is a high-energy word.
• He realized he was not going for an earthly prize, but a heavenly one.
• He knew he ought not box the air, but press forward, even beating his own body, so that he not be disqualified from the prizes He should have that God had designed for him (Eph. 1:3)

4)    What characteristic did Jesus emphasize how the world would know we are His disciples? __love_ How do you maintain a Biblical definition of that, rather than fall into wishy-washy emotionalism or passivity when discipling others?

• Sometimes you have to set your face toward Jerusalem to do what is right, no matter how you feel (Luke 9:51-53)
• Sometimes you have to exercise compassion and patience toward people (1 Thes. 5:14)
• God’s love is an action, not an emotion (1 John 4:10)
• Love will involve the expression of emotions in the compassion of caring for people, but the emotions are a result, not the motivation (2 Cor. 6:12)
• Do what God’s word says, rather than just hear what is right (Jam. 1:22)
• Those who do right will show their love to Jesus (John 14:15)

Making application from the message to life:

5)    What passages do you cling to in order to guard the truth?

• Guard your heart Proverbs 4:23; Deut. 3:9
• Ask God to search your heart Ps. 139:23-24
• Recognize your heart is deceitful Jer. 17:9-10; Matt. 14:38; Heb. 12:15; Jam. 1:14-15
• Seek after wisdom Pro. 2:4-5; 3:13-14, 21; 4:7; 16:16
• Be willing to “purchase” wisdom Pro. 23:23; Ps. 119:72
• Watch what your heart produces Matt. 12:35; 15:19; Mar 7:21-23

6)    What are many things a person needs to do in order to prepare a “Timothy” for following and leading others?

• Be a disciple myself
• Gain the experience of watching another disciple-maker
• Be willing to practice discipleship by coming alongside another
• Be willing to lead in a discipleship community or home group
• Lead a short Bible study for a group of people
• Lead others in discipleship

7)    How can Grace be a more effective place to establish and launch Timothy’s into ministry?

• Continue to cast the vision for spiritual growth to becoming a spiritual parent
• Provide the model for home groups so people can see the model of discipleship and multiplication
• See the potential in people rather than expect them to do everything just right.
• Continue to provide home group leadership training and updates.
• Let people know we believe in them and that they can disciple other people!