The following are suggestions for the Message Based Discussion Questions for the message presented on May 4, 2014 as part of the 1 Timothy series. These are provided to stimulate your thinking, not replace it. Please consider looking up the Scriptures to verify the answers provided and as aides to find other Scriptures.

1 Sam. 17:14-15; 26; 28-29a; 31-33; 37-39

How do you prepare leadership?

1) Train them to know who they are in Jesus 4:11-12

• Be who you are in Jesus
• Why do people look down on you?
• Let God grow you spiritually by pursuing Him
• Speech; Conduct; Love; Spirit; Faith; Purity

2) Train them to know God’s Word by God’s Spirit 4:13-14

• What are three things Paul directed Timothy to focus on?
  • Reading_ Luke 4:13-17
  • Exhortation_ 2 Tim. 4:1-4
  • Doctrine_ 2 Tim. 3:16-17
• Stop _neglecting_ 1 Tim. 1:3, 18-20; 2:11-12; 5:23; 6:20
• Use your gift of the Holy Spirit
  • Baptism ____________ 1 Cor. 12:13
  • Regeneration________ Titus 3:5
  • Indwelling__________ Rom. 8:9
  • Gift­­_______________ 1 Cor. 12:11
  • Sealing____________ Eph. 4:30
• 2 Tim. 1:6-7

3) Train them to absorb God’s Word for transformation 4:15

• Meditate___

4) Train them by training yourself 4:16

Jesus is our King of Kings! Live like He is King rather than just a pawn!

• You must depend on God’s Spirit, and then you will lead
• Dependent on the Holy Spirit, you will consume His Word and be transformed.

1 Sam. 17:41-47

Message Based Discussion Questions

1) Have you ever read a book more than once?

• Only theology books, commentaries and the Bible.
• There have been other resources like the Self-Confrontation Manual and manuals that I’ve explored and used many times.

Digging Deeper:

2) What are the three things Paul emphasizes to Timothy that he needs to focus on until he arrived? _reading_ _exhortation_ __teaching__ What are ministries that Paul left out? What is included in what Paul directs? What does that say about what is important in church? Does society maintain an attitude that they want to follow what Paul is saying? How so?

• Paul leaves out visitation, pitch-ins, and sports.
• Paul includes what is directly related to God’s Word.
• The important ministries are related to God’s Word, because they lead people to the power source.
• Society would rather have its ears tickled 2 Tim. 4:1-4 or watch entertainment or pay high prices for sports events and entertainment than ensure God’s ministry is resourced.

3) Is there a difference between knowing Scripture and knowing Scripture by God’s Spirit? _yes__ What are influences the Holy Spirit has on your understanding of Scripture? (Consider John 16:12-15; Rom. 8:14, 16, 26-27; 1 Cor. 2:9-16; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:17-18; 1 John 2:20-27)

• John 16:12-15 The HS guides us into His Word
• Rom. 8:14 The HS leads God’s children
• Rom. 8:16 The HS bears witness with our spirit we are His
• Rom. 8:26-27 The HS intercedes for us
• 1 Cor. 2:9-16 The HS enables us to discern spiritual truths
• 2 Cor. 1:21-22 The HS is our seal and given as a guarantee
• Eph. 1:17-18 The HS enlightens and empowers for knowing and living the Word
• 1 John 2:20-27 The HS anoints so that we could

4) Was Timothy the right man for pastoring the church of Ephesus? _yes_ (Consider 1 Tim. 1:18; 4:14; 6:20) Why was Timothy seemingly having so many problems? What were the specific problems?

• 1 Tim. 1:18 It was spoken that Timothy would lead
• 1 Tim. 4:14 It was spoken and hands of identification were laid on him.
• 1 Tim. 6:20 Paul had committed to Timothy’s trust, therefore he had a mission
• Timothy was having problems, because they exist in almost every church.
• Check the verses under 2)c in the message outline above

Making application from the message:

5) How do you develop a hunger for learning the Scriptures?

• Know who you are in Jesus and you’ll hunger Col. 3:1
• Realize you want to increase in knowledge and be ready to give an answer to those who ask 1 Pet. 3:15
• It is the way to know Jesus 1 Cor. 2:16
• Scripture is living and powerful Heb. 4:12
• Recognize the world is empty Ecc. 2:22-23
• Seek first His righteousness Matt. 6:33
• Recognize anything you touch will all burn up 2 Pet 3:10-11
• I want to enjoy what will last to eternity

6) How do you disciple someone to want to understand how the Spirit leads him on an adventure in understanding Scripture?

• Be excited about understanding Scripture Jer. 15:16
• Talk about the transforming work of Scripture in your life 2 Tim. 3:16-17
• Tell about how you find Scripture sufficient in all things 2 Cor. 3:5-6
• Help him understand Scripture is what sets him apart to God’s work John 17:17
• Help him understand Scripture teaches about subjects and how to live them out 1 Cor. 13:4-7
• Walk him through the Scripture passages of #3 above
• Walk him through Acts and how the Holy Spirit led the apostles

7) What can you do to strengthen Grace to be better equipped to prepare leaders for Jesus?

• Submit to the vision and leadership Heb. 13:7,17
• Be willing to serve where there are needs
• Encourage one another to love and good works Heb. 10:24-25
• Let love cover a multitude of sins 1 Pet. 4:8
• Join a home group and prepare to lead one
• Ask the leadership how you can better serve

Myron Rush identifies tough issues facing every Christian leader in The New Leader.

• – You must be willing to stand alone.
• – You must be willing to go against public opinion in order to promote what you believe.
• – You must be willing to risk failure.
• – You must become master of your emotions.
• – You must strive to remain above reproach.
• – You must be willing to make decisions others don’t want to make.
• – You must be willing to say no at times, even when you’d like to say yes.
• – You must sometimes be willing to sacrifice personal interests for the good of the group.
• – You must never be content with the average; you must always strive for the best.
• – People must be more important to you than possessions.
• – You will have to work harder to keep your life in balance than people do who are not leaders.

Paul Borthwick, Leading the Way, Navpress, 1989, pp. 177-178.