HTBH Youth Notes: Bible Study 1: 1 + 2 Timothy

1 & 2 Timothy Bible Study

Monday, 6 December 2010

6:00 PM

What is relevant to us as young adults in our church? How can we function?

Some background…

Paul writes in both of these books instructions directed at a younger minister, whose name is Timothy. (Although he is suspected to be in his 30's, that is still a pretty young age to be leading a church!)
Paul was in charge of this particular church - the congregation at Ephesus - who were "one of a kind" - and because he was travelling/in goal, he needed someone to head up the local church.
They are explicit instructions on how to be living life- and how to organise the church and have it function correctly, and how to act appropriately in life/in relation to others in the church.
Although two short books, I think they offer insight into our situation and we can learn a lot from what Paul has to say!

Highlights

1 Timothy 1:3-7 - Something that stands out here is Paul writes to Timothy (the mild, quiet Timothy!) to stand up and correct the members in the church who are teaching false beliefs- "myths and endless genealogies". I am not suggesting that we have been called to do such a thing, but Paul continues to write that engaging in this type of talk "Promotes controversies, not God's work of faith". With our church situation, how can we promote and support God's work- not gossip? What else do you think? 2 Timothy 2:16
1 Timothy 2:1-4 - Prayer and worship together, for everyone! " [God] wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." ALL MEN - all ages, genders, walks of life- everyone.
1 Timothy 4:4, 7. Thank God and focus on what is important- GOD, and what He has done! Rather than focusing or worrying about all the different things people do or can't do or shouldn't do and whether you should do them- trust and believe in God! "For everything God created was good… Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather, train yourself to be godly."

1 Timothy 4:12, 14 ** REALLY IMPORTANT!!!!!** Timothy's gift was given to him by the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands by the elders. Paul writes not to neglect this gift- which means its something that we need to work on. 2 Timothy 1:6-7 reinforcing the link between the elders and the young adults. It is a transference and a link from them to us.

Bringing it together

God is for everyone- young and old!
Timothy was young with all this responsibility - but he didn't do it alone, God worked through him.

How can we foster a link between the young adults and the elders? How can we overcome the generation gap?

How can we take responsibility and learn? (No one is going to do it for us!) How can we get involved?

It is important to receive the gift of God from our elders, and use it ! We are the future elders!

Can we identify what we feel we need as young adults in the church? How can we implement that? How can we serve God and work together in the church body?

HTBH Youth Notes