June 11, 2010 Lesson 4 of 1 Timothy 3:14-4:5

What truths about the Christian church are signified by the descriptive phrases of 3:15? Consider each in turn. Cf. Eph 2:19-22; 2 Cor 6:16-18. (See note below) What demands ought these truths to make on us? Answer: The church is the foundation of the Truth in this world. God is the corner stone of the church, there is no other. Christ was sent to make atonement for our sins, and the Holy Spirit is left to guide us and grow us in God’s will.


Note from where the false teaching described in 4:1-5 would arise; and by what kind of people it would be propagated. What, according to Paul’s teaching here, is the true Christian position with regard to: a)marriage and b) foods that may be eaten? Cf Heb 13:4; Rom 14:2, 3, 6b. Answer: Paul says that we are to continue to marry and eat the foods of the earth that God has provided. It says in verse 1 “in later times.” I can see ours and other’s countries moving to a marriage free culture. In fact someone was saying telling me that some in our government’s current administration favor civil unions for all couples, then those who want to can get married in a church can later. I will say when looking at the conferring passages, and what limited knowledge I have about the rest of the Bible, there is one difference here. The “rules” on marriage (one man married to one woman for the rest of their life with very very limited exemptions) don’t change, but with the new covenant the rules did change on what we could eat. I have to say thank you Lord for that!


3:16 may quote part of an early Christian hymn. What do these statements declare concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ? What are the sphere and the extent of his Lordship? Answer: First off these statements declare what we already know of Him and show how he has fulfilled scripture by coming to this earth, dying for our sins, and then rising again to heaven.


Note; 3:15. ‘The pillar and foundation of the truth’: i.e., displaying and upholding in the world the revelation of the gospel: and so providing a public and enduring witness for God. Cf. Rev 2:5

June 10, 2010 Lesson 3 of 1 Timothy 3:1-13

V 1-7. What are the qualities required in those who exercise leadership in the church? Note what Paul says about their; a) personal character, b) Christian experience, c) general reputation, and d) abilities. Why does Paul put such stress on the personal life of a Christian leader? Answer: The Christian leader must be “above reproach.” He must be of the highest character in all areas of his life. He must be able to manage his family, receiving respect from all members. They must be well founded in their faith, so they do not fall into the traps (pride, arrogance, etc.) of the devil.


What qualities are necessary for deacons (v 8-10, 12, 13) and deconesses (v11)? Compare your answer with the answer to Q1. Note how largely the element of self-discipline enters into these qualifications. In the light of this passage, how do I measure up to the standard God requires? Answer: I think Paul is saying pretty much the same about deacons as he is about the “overseer.” The one difference I do see is the deacon’s qualifications actually talks a bit about the wife’s qualities. Not sure why that is not the same for the “overseer” or if it is why is it not mentioned when talking about the elder. I will say that I have a long way to go with all of it!!


Notes:
V 1. ‘Overseer’ or ‘Bishop’ in some translations: the bishop here must not be identified with a present day bishop. The Greek word means ‘one who exercises oversight’. There were a number of such men in each congregation (see Phiil 1:1); and they were also called ‘elders’ or ‘prebyters’. See Titus 1:5, 7; Acts 20:17, 28, AV and RV.
V2. ‘the husband of but one wife’: Cf. 3:12; 5:9. Opinion is divided as to whether this means married only once, or having only one wife, i.e. not a polygamist. The latter is more probable in the light of 1 Cor 7:8-9; Rom 7:1-3.
V 6. ‘The same judgment as the devil’: this probably means to fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil for his sin of pride.

June 9, 2010 Lesson 2 of 1Timothy 2

Verse 1-7. What theological truths form the basis for confidence in prayer? Answer: The theological truth that Christ died for our sins, giving us the ability to stand before a holy and righteous God, making Jesus the one true way to God, and that God does not wish for any to die in their sins. We are born into sin and must accept Christ to cleanse us of those sins.


For whom, and for what, should we pray (v1-4)? What kind of people ought we to be in personal behavior if we wish to be effective in prayer and pleasing to God when we meet to pray? With verses 8-10, cf. Ps 66:18; Is 59:1-3; Mark 11:25. Answer: We pray for all including those next to us and those in authority over so that we may live in peace. I am not sure I understand the second part of the question. The sentence makes no sense to me at all.


V 9-15. Paul is not deprecating the role of women in the service of Christ (cf. Rom 16:1ff; Phil 4:2-3), but does here forbid women ‘to teach or to have authority’ over men in the local church. Is it conceivable that today change may be permitted in women’s part, or is Paul appealing here to the permanent consequences of the difference made by the Creator between male and female? What is the significance of verses 13 and 14? Answer: I do believe that God has created men and women for a purpose. If the Bible teaches that women are to be subordinate to men than that is as true today as it was when the words were written. I know this is very counter cultural today in our post feminist movement. The Bible is truths that are all eternal.


Notes:
Verse 8. ‘Life up holy hands’: it was customary to stand when praying, and to spread out one’s hands before God Cf. 1 Kings 8:22.
Verse 15. ‘Saved through bearing children’: a difficult expression. It must be understood here in its context, with reference to the place and function of women. Bearing children is a function to which women are unquestionably called. In it they will experience God’s saving grace provided they continue in faith, etc.

June 8, 2010 Lesson 1 of 1 Timothy 1

Timothy is reminded of the purpose for which he was left at Ephesus. Verses 12-17 are a digression in which Paul breaks out into thanksgiving for God’s grace towards him.


What is the nature of the false teaching which Paul attacks? From verses 3, 11, 12, 18, and Gal 1:8, 9, 12 consider why Paul would not allow any deviation from the gospel. Answer: I am not sure how to answer the first part of this question. Is the nature of the false teaching one of arrogance, pride, manipulation for personal gains, and “meaningless talk?” The second part of this question I think kind of goes back to the fact that there is only one way to God and that is through the holy blood of Christ to atone for our sins. The false teachings encouraged worship of the law not Christ.


The spurious doctrine evidently exaggerated the law as a means of righteousness. How does Paul indicate in verses 8-15 the limitations of the law and the superiority of the gospel? Answer: Paul points out that the law is there to show sinners that their deeds are evil in the eyes of the Lord. Only the blood of Christ can satisfy our sins to a Holy and Righteous God, making it truly superior to any other teaching.


Compare your own experience of the gospel with that described in verses 12-17. What outstanding features does Paul emphasize? Answer: I may not have been a murderer as Paul was, but I was far from Christ before I was saved. I can totally sympathize with Paul on the whole not being truly worthy of God’s Grace.


Notes
V4. ‘Myths and endless genealogies’: rabbinical fables (cf Titus 1:14), and attempts to find hidden meaning in the names of the genealogies of the Old Testament.
V20. ‘Hymenaeus and Alexander’: cf. 2 Tim 2;17; 4:14. Nothing else is known of these men. ‘Whom I have handed over to satan’: a form of apostolic discipline with a view to spiritual benefit. Cf. 1 Cor 5:5; 2 Cor 12:7.

June 3, 2010 Lesson 1 of Micah 1 and 2

Judgment falls on Samaria and almost on Jerusalem. The Lord God is witness for the prosecution (1:2); the result is Samaria (1:6-7), consternation in Judah (1:10-16) and grief in the prophet (1:8-9). What was the basic reason for the catastrophe (1:5,13)? Answer: Israel’s inter-marriage with Gentile people??


What classes of the community and what sins are rebuked in chapter 2? What is the penalty? Answer: Those who plot evil. Those who plan to covet, steal, and defraud. The penalty is that God will punish them.


Promise (2:12-13) follows banishment (2:10). How are God’s gracious acts described? Do we, too, know the Shepherd’s love (John 10:14-15) and the King’s might (2 Cor 2:14)? Cf also Is 40:11; 2 Sam 5:20. Answer: God’s grace is described as a protector and defender. I think that yes we today still know today God’s love and grace.


Notes:
1:5. The prophet sees the capital cities of the kingdoms of both Israel and Judah as the main sources of the corruption of the whole country, although they were the centers of worship.
1:10-12. There is some word play on the names of the towns mentioned ans what they will endure. ‘Grovel in the dust as dust town’ (Beth Ophrah), ect. (see moffatt).
1:13. ‘the beginning of sin’:Lachish was the border town at which chariots and horses purchased in Egypt would be received in Judah. See 5:10 and cf. Is 31:1; 36:9.
1:14-15. The calamities coming in Judah will include separation from loved ones, deception, conquest and ignominious flight.
Chapter 2. Micah preached in verses 1-5; he is interrupted by the by the rich in verse 6 and retorts, verse 7. God speaks in verses 8-10 and 12-13; the prophet soliloquizes in verse 11.
2:4-5. The avaricious landowners will lament because they themselves have been dispossessed; their portion in the Lord’s inheritance (v5) will be no more.
2:6. Micah’s preaching is not well received and he is told, ‘Do not drivel….!’ V11 and 3:11 describe the sort of preachers the rich wanted – and got.

June 2, 2010 Lesson 14 of 2 Corinthians 13

What effect has Paul’s love for the Corinthians on his attitude to their sin? In answering consider the evidence of both verses 1-6 and verses 7-10. See also 12:20-21. Answer: I think in V6-10 Paul is saying no matter what we have done, no matter how depraved we may be, God still loves and forgives us. It is through Christ that we are made strong. God is a righteous and holy judge.


Consider how closely related the exhortations and promises of verse 11 are to teaching of the whole letter. Answer:


Consider how the prayer of verse 14 sums up our Christian heritage, and gives the complete solution to our threefold need – our sin, sorrow, and weakness. Answer:


Notes
V 1. When Paul comes he will hold a judicial inquiry. Cf. Matt 18:16; 1 Tim 5:19
V2-4. Christ ‘crucified in weakness’ is not the whole gospel. He also lives by the power of God, and that power will be manifested also in his servant Paul.
V7-10. Paul would rather that the Corinthians should act rightly, and so make it needless for him to rebuke them, than that he should gain prestige by the demonstration of his apostolic authority.

June 1, 2010 Study 13 of 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Paul again summarizes his past ministry in Corinth and his attitude towards the Christians there. What accusations is he meeting in this passage and how does he answers them? What impresses you most as showing the measure of his Christ-likeness? In answering this question bear in mind how deeply he has been wronged by the ingratitude and suspicion of the church. Answer: I appears to me that some in the church are saying that Paul has been a financial burden on the church. That some of them feel that he is wanting to charge others to hear the Word, or at the very least support him while he preaches.


In verse 20-21 what anxieties does Paul have over the church in Corinth? What can we learn from this about our responsibility for younger Christians? Answer: Paul fears that the new Christians in Corinth have gone back to their evil ways. We must support the new Christian by encouraging them to get into the Word to study and soak it up.


Notes
V13. ‘Forgive me this wrong’!: spoken in irony.
V14. ‘What I want is not your possessions but you’: Cf 4:5, 15; 5:13; 13:9