Study Guide for 1 Timothy 3:14-4:16

Horton Road Church of Christ / Spring 2010

1. How does this section balance the earlier teaching in 2:1-3:13? [It puts the
emphasis back on each believer and how they live, as well as Timothy's
charge to encourage this; away from the emphasis on other people (church
leaders).]

2. Why is Paul writing this letter (3:15)?

3. By which names does Paul call the church in 3:15?

4. What is the "mystery" of true godliness (3:16)? How does this mystery promote
or produce godliness?

5. Do all "believers" uphold this mystery and grow in godliness (4:1-2)? [No.]

6. What are the marks of false teaching (4:2-3)? [Hypocrisy; lies about scripture;
overbearing, restrictive and controlling teaching based on prohibitions not
found in the bible.]

7. How do we know false teaching (4:3-4)? [It limits and restricts God or the
created things of God that can be received with thanksgiving.] How is false
teaching discerned (4:5)? How is false teaching tested? [Are you able to
honestly and sincerely give thanks to God for what you are doing or
received?]

8. How is this different from how we typically understand false teaching?

9. How is Timothy to prove himself as a minister (4:6)? What does 3:6-7 say about
the work and role of ministers?

10.What does it mean to be "godly" (3:7)? Why is godliness valuable, and training
for godliness better than physical training (4:7-8)?

11.What is the trustworthy saying (4:9)?

12.Why should/do ministers labor and strive (4:10)? What is the laboring and
striving? [the training in godliness]

13.Since 4:6-16 is written directly to Timothy (4:16), how much general

application can we take from it?

14.Is 4:11-16 a good job description for ministers today? Why or why not?

© 2010 Jeremy Hoover / www.jeremyhoover.com / jeremyhoover@gmail.com

 Study Guide for 1 Timothy 3:14-4:16
Horton Road Church of Christ / Spring 2010

15.Why should no one look down on Timothy because of his youth (4:12)? Why does
this happen to young ministers today? Is it right? Should we make excuses for
people who do this?

16.How does a minister's personal life affect the church (4:12, 15-16)?

17.What is Timothy to "devote" himself to (4:13)? Should all ministers do this?

18.Many Christians want their minister to be "out and about" (the chief visit-er), or
to keep endless office hours (the secretary), or to be a planner of all church
events and activities (the administrator). Do these tasks fit with Paul's vision
for Timothy's ministry? How or how not? Why or why not?

19.What authority does Timothy have (4:11)?

20.How important are conduct of life and doctrine to being saved (4:16)? What is
the doctrine Paul refers to?

© 2010 Jeremy Hoover / www.jeremyhoover.com / jeremyhoover@gmail.com