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Opening

What stood out to you from Sunday’s message?  

 

Summary

Read 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Paul encourages Timothy to be faithful in the hard tasks that God has called him to. Timothy must protect the church and steward the gospel well, as a faithful soldier of Jesus. This is urgent because leaders in the Ephesus church have rejected the faith and godly behaviour. Christians in every generation are called to wage the good warfare, passing on right doctrine and living faithfully even when that is really hard.  

 

Discussion Questions

  1. Timothy was called to wage “the good warfare.” What are some things worth standing up for, and what are somethings that are needless controversies? How do you decide?
  2. The warfare imagery is a common one for the Christian life (see 2 Cor 10:3-6; 2 Tim 4:6-8). What are some hard things that God is calling you to do? How can we support each other in these?
  3. Hymenaeus & Alexander shipwrecked by rejecting “faith and a good conscience.” What does that mean and what should we look for in similar shipwreck today?
  4. Paul encourages Timothy in his hard tasks by affirming what he has witnessed God do in his life already. Who can you affirm and encourage? Spend some time in your CG affirming God’s work in each other.
  5. How can church discipline be redemptive and positive? What are the risks of a person not belonging to a church that is willing to care for its members in this way?