DIG DEEPER QUESTIONS

1 Timothy 3:16—4:10 - Discipleship Questions

THE PURSUIT OF GODLINESS

1. Godliness begins with Jesus (3:16)

How does beginning with who Jesus is and what he has done change our understanding of godliness? Where are you tempted to measure your Christian life by your performance rather than build it upon Christ?

2. Looking genuine is not the same as being genuine (4:1–2)

The sermon illustrated how a counterfeit can carry all the right markings. In what ways can we appear spiritually healthy while our hearts are drifting from Jesus? How can we help one another recognise that drift and respond honestly?

3. False teaching can sound impressively spiritual (4:3–5)

The false teachers forbade things God had declared good. Where might we turn personal preferences or convictions into rules by which we judge other Christians? How can we distinguish between obeying God’s Word and adding requirements of our own?

4. God’s gifts are to be received with thanksgiving (4:4–5)

How does thankfulness help us enjoy God’s gifts without either rejecting them or making too much of them? Identify one ordinary gift you tend to take for granted, and consider how receiving it gratefully could change your daily life.

5. We need to be nourished by the truth (4:6–7)

Which voices most shape your thinking, desires and decisions during the week? What would it look like to test their messages against Scripture and give God’s Word a more formative place in your life?

6. Godliness requires deliberate training (4:7–8)

Compare the effort you invest in physical health, work or hobbies with the attention you give to growing like Jesus. What specific practice could you develop this week, and how could someone in the church family help you persevere in that?

7. Our effort rests upon our hope in the living God (4:9–10)

What is the difference between working hard because Christ has saved us and working hard to earn acceptance with God? Where do you need that distinction to encourage or correct you, and how can we pray for one another as we pursue godliness together?

DIG DEEPER QUESTIONS

A Well-Ordered Household

1. Character Before Competence (v8–10)
   Paul places much greater emphasis on godly character than practical ability when describing the qualifications for deacons. Why do you think this is? In what ways might we be tempted to value someone's abilities, experience or personality more highly than their godliness?

2. Integrity in Every Area of Life (v8)
   Paul identifies three characteristics that must not be present in a deacon: being double-tongued, addicted to much wine or greedy for dishonest gain. What do these three characteristics reveal about the importance of self-control and integrity? Are there areas of your own life where what you profess to believe isn't consistently reflected in how you behave?

3. Holding the Faith with a Clear Conscience (v9)
   What does Paul mean by holding "the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience"? Why is it possible to have an excellent understanding of Christian doctrine yet fail to live consistently with it? How can we help one another ensure that our beliefs genuinely shape our behaviour?

4. Character That Has Been Tested (v10)
   Paul insists that deacons must be tested before being appointed. Why is godly character something that needs to be demonstrated over time rather than simply claimed? What does this teach us about the importance of sharing our lives with one another beyond our Sunday gatherings?

5. Trustworthiness in Our Relationships (v11–12)
   Paul emphasises the importance of being trustworthy in our speech, faithful in all things and managing our households well. Why are these characteristics particularly important for those serving God's people? How might the way we speak about others, especially when they are absent, reveal something about our character?

6. The Rewards of Faithful Service (v13)
   Paul says that those who serve well gain "a good standing" and "great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus." What do you think he means by these two rewards? How might faithfully serving others strengthen our own faith? What opportunities do you have to serve others, particularly in ways that might go unnoticed?

7. God's Household — A Pillar and Buttress of Truth (v14–15)
   Paul describes the church as "the household of God" and "a pillar and buttress of the truth." What do these descriptions teach us about the identity and responsibility of the local church? How should they shape our relationships, our commitment to God's Word and the way we conduct ourselves, both when gathered together and throughout the week?

DIG DEEPER QUESTIONS

A Noble Desire, A Demanding Standard

1. God's Standards or the World's Standards? (v1–2)

   When we think about what makes someone a good leader, we can easily be impressed by their abilities, achievements, confidence or personality. But Paul places far greater emphasis on godly character.

   Why do you think God prioritises character over ability? Are there ways in which you've been measuring yourself or others by the world's standards rather than God's?

2. A Willingness to Take Responsibility (v1)

   Paul describes the desire to serve as an overseer as a noble desire. But genuine Christian leadership is about serving others rather than seeking status or recognition.

   How willing are you to take responsibility for the spiritual wellbeing of others? Are there opportunities to serve, encourage or care for someone that you've been overlooking or avoiding?

3. Living Above Reproach (v2)

   Paul's overarching qualification for an elder is that he must be above reproach—a person whose life demonstrates consistent Christian integrity. Although this is a requirement for elders, it is something every Christian should aspire to.

   If those who know you best examined your life, would they see consistency between what you believe and how you behave? Where might there be areas of inconsistency that need addressing?

4. A Character Shaped by the Holy Spirit (v2–3)

   Paul identifies qualities such as self-control, gentleness, hospitality, moderation and freedom from the love of money. These are characteristics that should increasingly be evident in every Christian's life.

   Which of these qualities do you find most challenging, and why? Can you think of a recent situation when your response revealed an area of your character that needs to become more Christlike?

5. Faithfulness Begins at Home (v4–5)

   Paul connects a man's suitability to care for God's church with how he cares for his own household. Our closest relationships often reveal our true character.

   How well do you demonstrate patience, kindness, responsibility and godly leadership within your home and family? Are those closest to you experiencing the best of your Christian character, or do they sometimes get what's left over?

6. Humility, Maturity and Reputation (v6–7)

   Paul warns about the danger of pride and the importance of having a good reputation among those outside the church. Spiritual maturity is not simply about how much we know, but about how we live.

   How do you respond when someone corrects you, challenges your opinions or points out a fault? And if your non-Christian friends, neighbours or colleagues were asked about your character, what would they honestly say?

7. Following the Good Shepherd (John 10:11–15)

   We finished by remembering that no human leader perfectly meets God's standards. Only Jesus, the Good Shepherd, does so—and He willingly laid down His life for His sheep.

   How should Christ's example shape both our expectations of church leaders and our own desire to grow in godliness? As you reflect on these questions, what is one particular area in which you need the Good Shepherd's help to become more like Him?

   Why don’t you pray about that each day this week, with God’s help

Priority to Practise

1. Prayer and Holiness (v8)
   Paul calls men to pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarrelling. How might unresolved anger, conflict or a lack of holiness affect our prayers and relationships with others?

2. Outward Appearance and Good Works (vv9–10)
   Paul emphasises good works rather than outward appearance. What are some ways we can become more concerned with how others perceive us than with living lives that honour God?

3. An Outward Life That Reflects an Inward Faith (vv8–10)
   Both men and women are called to demonstrate godliness in how they live. How can we ensure that our outward behaviour genuinely reflects our profession of faith in Christ?

4. A Willingness to Learn (v11)
   Paul speaks about learning quietly and with submissiveness. What does it mean to have a teachable spirit, and how do we respond when God's Word challenges our assumptions or preferences?

5. God's Design or the World's Expectations? (vv11–14)
   How can we allow God's Word, rather than the expectations and values of our surrounding culture, to shape our understanding of what is good and right?

6. Whose Voice Are We Listening To? (vv13–14)
   Paul points back to creation and the events in Eden. What competing voices might tempt us to question or disregard God's Word, and how can we guard against them?

7. Truth That Becomes Truth Lived (v15; whole passage)
   What evidence should there be in our everyday lives that we belong to Christ? Thinking about this passage, what is one specific area where God's truth needs to become more evident in how you live?

The Priority of Prayer

1. Making Prayer a Priority (v1)

Paul urges Timothy that prayers should be made for all people, describing this as something of first importance. How much of a priority is prayer in our own lives, both individually and as a church? What might need to change?

2. Praying for Difficult People (vv1–2)

Paul calls us to pray for all people, including those in authority. Are there individuals or groups of people we find particularly difficult to pray for? What does this reveal about our hearts?

3. What Are We Praying For? (v2)

Paul encourages us to pray that we might lead peaceful and quiet lives. How is this different from simply praying for an easy or comfortable life?

4. Living Godly Lives (vv2–3)

Paul connects our prayers for those in authority with living godly and dignified lives. How might our conduct as Christians influence the way others view the gospel?

5. Looking Beyond Ourselves (vv1–4)

Our prayers can easily become focused on our own circumstances, families and immediate concerns. How can we become more outward-looking in our prayers, particularly towards those who don't yet know Christ?

6. God's Heart for the Lost (v4)

Paul tells us that God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. How should this shape both our prayers and our attitudes towards those who don't yet believe?

7. The Only Mediator (vv5–6)

Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and humanity, who gave himself as a ransom for all. How should this truth encourage us to pray confidently for the salvation of others, even those who seem far from God?