Read through the whole book of 1 Timothy in one sitting.

1. Why is Paul writing to Timothy?
2. What theme(s) do you notice?
3. What key words are repeated?
4. How is this relevant to us?
5. What questions do you have about this book?

Please take time once again to read through the whole book of 1 Timothy in one sitting.  Then compare the beginning and the end of the book.

1. What ideas are reiterated at both the beginning and the end?
2. Where do you see some of the keywords of the book?
3. What stands out as surprising?
4. How does this connect with the daily lives of all believers?

1. Why does Paul emphasize that his apostleship is by command (1:1)?
2. If you wrote a letter of exhortation to your son/child (1:2), what would you say?
3. Why is Timothy in Ephesus (1:3)?  Whose charge is this?
4. What is the problem with myths and genealogies (1:4)?
5. How does the aim of this charge inform and shape the approach (1:5)?
6. How are those who miss this aim characterized (1:6-7)?

1. What does Paul mean by using the law "lawfully" (1:8-10)?
2. What is the opposite of sound doctrine (1:10)?
3. What has Paul been entrusted with (1:11)?
4. Why did Paul receive mercy (1:13, 16)?
5. What else did Jesus give to Paul and why (1:12-14)?
6. Why does Paul call himself the chief/foremost of sinners, and why does that matter (1:15)?

1. How has some of this false teaching (unhealthy doctrine) crept into many churches today (1:9-10)?
2. Do Christians have any relationship to the law (1:8-9)?

1. Which "saying" is Paul referring to (1:15)?
2. Is this another charge (1:18)?
3. What are these prophecies concerning Timothy (1:18)?
4. How should Timothy wage warfare in good conscience (1:18-19)?
5. What have those who shipwrecked the faith rejected (1:19-20)?

1. Why are faith and good conscience linked together (1:19, see also 1:5, 3:9, Titus 1:15)?
2. What was the trouble with Hymenaeus and Alexander (1:20)?
3. What does it mean that Paul handed Hymenaeus and Alexander over to Satan (1:20, see also 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 John 5:19)?

1. Why does Paul use four different words for prayer (2:1)?
2. What is the setting for these prayers to take place (2:1-2)?
3. What are two purposes for these prayers (2:2-4)?
4. What enables us to lead a peaceful and quiet life (2:1-2)?

1. If God desires all people to be saved, why hasn't that happened (2:3-4)?
2. Why is "the knowledge of the truth" included here with God's desire for salvation (2:4)?
3. What does it mean that Jesus is our "mediator" (2:5)?

1. Is it possible that Mary is a mediator, as Catholics call her the "Mediatrix" (2:5)?
2. Since Jesus is our mediator, can we also pray to Him (2:5)?
3. What standard of giving did Jesus demonstrate for us (2:6)?

1. How do these verses shape our prayer (2:3-6)?
2. What place has God given us in response to the salvation he offers (2:7)?
3. Why does Paul give shorter attention to men, but a longer focus on women (2:8-15)?
4. How should men "lift holy hands" (2:8)?  Is this a physical prayer posture?
5. What quarreling is taking place in the church (2:8)?
6. Does Paul look down on women (2:9-15)?

1. We have a difficult passage here (2:9-15).  What tools will help us properly interpret and apply this passage?
2. Why are braids, gold, and pearls described as “immodest” (2:9)?
3. What is the standard of modesty (2:10)?

1. Why is there an emphasis on quietness (2:11-12)?
2. Can women pray in the church (2:8, 11-12)?
3. Can women teach in the church (2:11-12)?  What does "teaching" encompass?

1. Can women teach in the church (2:11-12)?  What does "teaching" encompass?
2. What indications do we have that these are timeless principles, and not merely relevant in Ephesus in the first century (2:13-14)?

1. Why is the creative order relevant (2:13)?
2. What is the context and extent of a woman’s submission (2:11)?

1. Why the distinction in who was deceived (2:14)?
2. In what way was Eve “deceived” (2:14)?
3. What does “she will be saved through childbearing” mean (2:15)?

1. What expectations might some people have of pastors that surpass the Lord’s expectations?
2. Are these qualifications focused on ability or character (3:2-7)?  What does that tell you?
3. Do any of these qualifications set a pastor apart from a mature Christian (3:1-7)?  If so, how?

1. Should a pastor be concerned about what people think of him (3:2-7)?  Why or why not?
2. What wrong pursuits that could distract a pastor are portrayed in these qualifications (3:1-7)?
3. What role/place does the congregation have in accountability for the pastor and his character?  (Back up with biblical support)
4. What is the meaning of “the husband of one wife” (3:2)?

1. Discuss together the meaning and scope of these character qualities (3:1-7).
2. What is the standard for a pastor “managing his own household well” (3:4-5)?

1. What are the two traps of the devil for the pastor to avoid (3:6-7)?
2. What is the danger of putting someone into pastoral ministry too quickly (3:6)?
3. When is a pastor permanently disqualified, and when and how can a pastor be restored (3:1-7)?
4. What expectations might some people have of deacons that surpass the Lord’s expectations?

1. Compare and contrast qualifications for a pastor and a deacon (3:1-13).
2. What is “the mystery of the faith” (3:9)?  How does a deacon hold it with a clear conscience?
3. In what way should deacons be tested first (3:10)?

1. Are these deaconesses or deacons' wives (3:11)?  What is their impact on the ministry?
2. Why does the Bible give qualifications for deacons' wives (3:11), but not pastors' wives?
3. What conclusions can we make about leadership training from this passage (3:1-13)?

1. What is Paul’s purpose in writing to Timothy (3:14-15)?
2. Why is the church called “the household of God” (3:15)?
3. How is the church “a pillar and buttress of the truth” (3:15)?
4. So, how should one behave in the church (3:15)?
5. Why does Paul summarize “the mystery of godliness” in this way (3:16)?

1. How does Paul describe false teaching, and why (4:1-3)?
2. Does abstinence from food or marriage make us more godly (4:3-4)?
3. Are there still teachings like this today (4:3)?

1. What is Paul’s response to this false teaching (4:4-5)?
2. Does this mean that we can live without restraint (4:3-5)?
3. Why does Paul transition from chapter 3 to chapter 4 in this way?

1. How does Paul characterize a “good servant” (4:6)?
2. How do irreverent, silly myths contrast with godliness (4:7)?
3. How does bodily exercise give us a picture of training in godliness (4:8)?
4. What is the promise of godliness in our present and future (4:8)?
5. What motivates us to godliness (4:10)

1. How should Timothy overcome the disrespect of others (4:12)?
2. What should be the focus of the church (4:13)?
3. What is this gift that Timothy should not neglect (4:14)?
4. Why is it important that all men see Timothy’s progress (4:15)?

1. How will Timothy "save" himself and his hearers (4:16)? What does this mean?
2. Should a pastor rebuke anyone (5:1-2)?
3. What does this familial encouragement look like (5:1-2)?
4. Why is so much attention devoted to the care of widows (5:3-16)?

1. What is the "list" that widows are enrolled to (5:9, 11)?
2. Who is responsible for the care of widows (5:3-16)?

1. Who is responsible for the care of widows (5:3-16)?
2. What makes a widow eligible to be cared for by the church (5:3-16)?

1. What is God's expectation for younger widows (5:11-15)?

1. How are elders given “double honor” (5:17)?
2. Who are the elders who rule well (5:17)?
3. What is God’s plan for discipline of pastors (5:19-21)?
4. Why the warning not to be hasty in laying on hands (5:22-25)?

1. Why does Paul command slaves to honor and respect their masters (6:1-2)?
2. What are some examples of “different doctrine” that face the church today (6:3)?  Can you name some preachers to avoid?
3. What wrong motives can derail a ministry from godliness (6:3-5)?
4. What helps to guard against these wrong motives (6:6-8)?

1. What are the results of these wrong motives (6:9-10)?
2. In what ways can we “fight the good fight” and “take hold of eternal life” (6:11-12)?
3. How does the confession and character of Jesus motivate and enable us to uphold the truth (6:13-16)?
4. Who are these exhortations for (6:17-19)?  What is their emphasis?
5. What devastating effects of false teaching have you witnessed (6:20-21)?  How do we guard the deposit as a church?