Men Bible Study - 1 Timothy 4: 11-12

Hi guys, It is truly great to see you here again and studying these verses. It encourages me to continu doing these videos. May God bless you with this study. Here you can find the text I'm reading. ------------------- 1 Timothy 4:11-12, “Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” Interesting points: 1. In these verses, Paul instructs Timothy to preach and teach God’s Word. Building on what we have read in the preceding four verses, Timothy can take courage to effectively fulfill his God-appointed role by demonstrating the very thing he is exhorting the church to do: live righteously. 2. The Greek word for “command” is also translated as “declare” or “charge”, which implies preaching. Preaching publicly communicates God’s Word in an inspired way that declares God’s will, both convincing unbelievers even while challenging and comforting believers. Teaching educates God’s people by clearly explaining and applying the Bible in a way that causes them to learn, thus equipping and training them for God’s work in life. 3. Timothy, relatively young, was called to do both and would minister to young and old alike. Understanding the tendency for older generations to dismiss him for his youth, Paul’s words buy Timothy’s confidence by reminding him to set “an example” to all believers: in his words, by taking righteous decisions and action, by demonstrating God’s love at work through him, by stepping forward in faith and by living a spiritually pure life, both in commitment to God and pure relationships with others. Application. Brothers, as we will see in Verse 14, Timothy counted both preaching and teaching among his God-given spiritual gifts. Rather than remain cowed because of his youthfulness, Paul charged him with fulfilling what God created him to do. Let’s take a moment to consider the spiritual gift(s) He has provided each of us. Are we using them, or what is holding us back? Let’s pray that He will guide us as we learn to use our gifts (better) and for His glory. The other key piece to this verse, whether we are young or old, is to set the example for other believers. So often we think about our testimony to the unbelieving world but we forget that our personal example can both inspire confidence and spur others forward in their faith OR it can become a stumbling block to them if we look exactly like the world when we step outside the Church doors. As we have said time and time again, we cannot hope to do this on our own – it is only by the choice to stay committed to study God’s Word and decision to let Him have primacy over our decisions. May we choose to pick up our cross and walk with our Father every day of our lives!