1Ti 1:18: What command had Paul entrusted to Timothy? See 1Ti 1:3,5. How did Paul view his relationship to Timothy? See also 1Ti 1:2. Did he view others in the same way? See 1 Cor 4:14-15, 2 Cor 6:11-13, 12:14-15, 1 Thess 2:11-12, Phlm 1:10. Was Paul’s role in the church as a father to those whom he had brought the gospel one of title and honor, or one of affection, care and concern? See Mat 23:8-9; 1 Cor 1:10, 2:1, 3:1, 2 Cor 1:1, Col 1:1, 4:9. What does the example of Paul’s relationship to Timothy teach us about how we should view our relationships to others in the Church? See 1Ti 5:1-2. Consider the exclusive nature of a family—the only way to be a part of a family is to be born into it, or in rare instances adopted into it; how is one born into God’s family? See John 1:12-13, 1 Pet 1:23. The members of a physical family have a common blood; what is the common blood of God’s family? See Rom 8:14, 8:29, Heb 2:11, Mat 12:50, Lk 8:21. What is the importance of the family at home for teaching us about the family of God? See 1Ti 3:4-5. What impact has the breakdown of the family at home had upon the family of God? What do the “prophecies previously made concerning [Timothy]” teach us about the paths God has ordained for our lives? See also Prov 16:9, 20:24, Jer 10:23, Acts 13:1-3. When might these have been given to Timothy? See 1Ti 4:14. In light of Paul’s words to Timothy here, how is it that we are to “fight the good fight”? See Ps 25:4-5.
1Ti 1:19: What does this verse teach us about the importance of having a sincere faith and a good conscience (1Ti 1:5)? Is it possible for us to fight the good fight without keeping faith and a good conscience? Is it possible for us to keep faith and a good conscience without being obedient to walk in the paths God has ordained for our lives? See 1 Jn 3:21-22. What is the inevitable result of pushing away from ourselves faith and a good conscience? How is “shipwrecked” a fitting description of the faith of those who reject a sincere faith and a good conscience? See Eph 4:14, James 1:6, Jude 1:12-13. Does the fact that someone has suffered shipwreck necessarily mean they are completely lost? See 2 Cor 11:25. What does it mean? See also Acts 27:18-20.
1Ti 1:20: What was the relationship of Hymenaeus and Alexander to the Christian faith? See also 2 Tim 2:17. What does Paul mean that he delivered them over to Satan? Is it significant that the Greek word for “delivered” is that frequently used in the context of putting someone in prison? See Mat 5:25, 18:34, Acts 8:3, 12:4, 28:17, 2 Pet 2:4. Was the purpose of Paul’s actions remedial or punitive? Note: the Greek word translated as “taught” (KJV = “learn”) is paideuo which means to teach as one would a child, i.e., with discipline and chastisement; see 1 Cor 5:5, 11:32, Heb 12:6-7,10, Rev 3:19. What is the importance of discipline both in our physical families and in the family of God? See Deut 8:5, Prov 13:24, 23:13-14, James 5:19-20. How did God use the king of Babylon as the rod of His chastisement? See Jer 25:8-11,15-16, 51:20-23. How was he a type of Satan? See Is 14:13-14. Will God ultimately judge the rod of His chastisement? See Is 14:3-8, 15, 33:1, Jer 25:12-13, 51:7-8, 24-26, Rev 14:8, 18:2-3, 6. In what sense is Satan God’s rod of chastisement? See Mat 3:10, 7:19, Lk 13:6-9, Jn 15:1-2,6, and again Is 14:8; see also Mat 5:25-26, 18:23-35 (esp. Mat 18:34). What does God’s rod of chastisement become for those who will not receive His discipline? See Heb 12:8, Is 30:8-14. In our present context, what do we understand happened practically by Paul delivering Hymenaeus and Alexander over to Satan? See 1 Cor 5. What do we understand happened spiritually? Do you think God’s ministers have the same authority today to deliver men over to Satan?