NT Fire Starters – Day 291: 1 Timothy 1:1-20

READ: 1 Timothy 1:1-20

THINK: Christians often pray that God would give them a deeper understanding of His Word. But knowledge isn’t God’s primary aim. You can know the Word without letting it into you heart and allowing it to change your life. The fact is that most Christians know more of the Word than they put into practice. So why should God show us more when we have yet to enact much of what He’s already shown us? God’s Word reveals His character, and putting it into action leads to deeper love and purity. This keeps your conscience clear, which will allows you to exercise greater faith and accomplish God’s purposes. As you spend time in the Word, make it your goal to practice its principles and live what you learn.

RESPOND: Why had Paul told Timothy to stay in Ephesus, and why was this task so important? (See 1:3 note.) What were the “myths and endless genealogies” that the false teachers were obsessed with? (See 1:4 note and 4:3 note.) While not all tension and disagreement are bad, how can controversies hinder and distract people from God’s work (v. 4)? In general, what’s the ultimate goal of all instruction from God’s Word? (See 1:5 note.) How does genuine spiritual change based on God’s Word lead to love and purity? How do love and purity lead to a clear conscience and sincere faith? (See 1:5 note.) Why is it important for those who teach God’s Word to model the truth in their own lives? Why is it good and necessary that God’s law confronts and exposes everything that defies and contradicts the standards, commands, principles and guidelines in God’s Word? (See Matthew 5:17 note.) In what way was Paul’s life a prime example of God’s grace and mercy? (See 1:13 note.) Why did Jesus come into the world? (See 1:15 note.) What can happen if we don’t hold on to our faith and a good conscience? (See 1:19 note.) What does it mean that those mentioned in verse 20 were “handed over to Satan,” and what was the reason and desired result of this? (See 1:20 note.)

PRAY: Pray that you never get caught up in arguments and controversies that could distract you or others from God’s purposes. Pray that you always take God’s Word to heart by applying it to your life. Give God thanks for His law that exposed your sin and for His grace and mercy that rescued you from your sin.

ACT: Think of something (or ask God to remind you of something) that you know from His Word but have not fully put into practice. Ask God to show you a specific way today that you can live what you have learned. Then take action.