Posted on Apr 7, 2019 in Growth Group Spring |
- Family or Foe? Paul’s instruction to Timothy about treating church members in age and gender-appropriate ways clearly is sage advice. What pitfalls can Timothy avoid by not rebuking an elder, but entreating him as a father (or grandfather)? Why should Timothy treat older women as he would his mother? Why treat younger women as sisters? This does not mean there are never conflicts, but that they are resolved in loving and helpful ways. Who is your family? Mark 3:20, 21, 31-35; Romans 2:28, 29
- Family or Church? The care of widows is primarily the responsibility of their own families (5:4, 8, 16), and only then, the church’s. What are the reasons Paul gives for this principle? In our culture of social programs and “senior living” centers, how should these principles be applied? If a family is not taking care of an elderly parent or grandparent, should the church intervene? If so, how should that be done? James 2:14-17; 1 John 3:16-18
- Faith and Works Paul’s words to Timothy are serious ones. What does he say is at stake (vv. 4, 8) if a family does not care for their widows? Why does he say this? And what is at stake if a widow (one who had been “enrolled” as a servant to the church in those days) abandons her promises? What does it mean to turn aside after Satan? Are there any parallels today of the “enrolled” widows of the first century church?