• Devotions

    More Qualification For Leaders

    He must also have a good reputation with outsiders so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.  1 Timothy 3:7           Today read Titus 1:5-9.  Are there any new insights from this passage? A church leader must not be quick-tempered, not violent.  How can anger hinder great leaders such as Moses?  Those who are quick to become angry cause great harm to those nearby.  Most people are afraid of a poisonous snake bite; the tongue can strike as fast as the hand or the fist.  The poison of a striking tongue has hurt many.  Jesus warned the anyone who holds onto…

  • Devotions

    Qualifications of A Godly Leader

    “…. set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and purity” 1 Timothy 4:12             There are positives and negatives of qualifications for overseers and deacons.  There are 5 negatives that 1 Timothy 3 states.  They are: For the overseer:                                                                                                      For the Deacon: not given to drunkenness     …

  • Devotions

    Overseer And Deacons

    This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband to one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher,. . .  1 Timothy 3:1-2           Today we will read 1 Timothy 3.  When done reading this chapter, go back and read it slowly.  Pay attention to the words overseer and deacon.  Now go back and focus on verses 1-7.  Make a list of everything you learn about an overseer.  If you don’t understand any words, look them up in a dictionary.  How is the ministry of a deacon related to…

  • Devotions

    Reflection Time

    Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 Today is Reflection Day!  I love reflection day.  It’s a time for me to go back and reflect on what God has spoken to me about.  It gives me time to pray and seek God about what he wants to change in my life.  It gives me time to make a game plan of putting action to what God is telling me and asking of me.  Reflection Day gives me a slower pace to grasp what God is telling me.  It gives me more time to…

  • Devotions

    Prayer Time

    Our Father in heaven, Your name is honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.] Let’s take some time and focus on prayer.  Look up these verses and glean from them. Prayer!  It’s a conversation with God.  Do you struggle with praying?  Is it intimidating to you to pray to God?  Is there a right way to…

  • Devotions

    Conduct During Worship

              Today, read 1 Corinthians 14: 26-40.  This is a passage of Scripture that discusses order in public worship.  What are the restrictions  Paul places on the worship service? What does Paul say concerning the use of the tongue in the worship service, prophecy in the worship service, and women speaking in church?  Remember, we are focusing on the role of women in the church. Now reread 1 Timothy 2:8-15.  Is Paul saying that women cannot teach in the church building? Is He saying that women can’t teach at all? What about Sunday School? Is a woman never allowed to teach her husband? What about other…

  • Devotions

    Women And The Church: Part 2

                Reread 1 Timothy 2:8-15.  Also, keep in mind his purpose, as he stated in 1 Timothy 3: 14,15.  Now make a list of what a woman should do, what she is not allowed to do, and why.  Where is this pattern of behavior to be implemented?  Keep everything in context, don’t jump to conclusions or opinions. Was Paul against women being in ministry?  What are some biblical examples of women in ministry? In your culture, how do women show submission to their husbands? Who are some women in ministry that Paul commended? Why does Paul emphasize that sin came through Adam in Romans 5:12-20…

  • Devotions

    Women And The Church: Part 1

    Let’s review a little bit of what we know about 1 Timothy.  What is Paul’s purpose in writing? He wants you to know how to conduct yourself where? Read 1 Timothy 2: 8-15. How are women to adorn themselves, and how is she not to adorn herself? Now let’s cross-reference this passage with 1 Peter 3:1-6. What insights do you gain? Now read Song of Solomon 1:9-11 and Genesis 24:10-30, 53.  What do these passages say about jewelry, especially gold?  Is Paul forbidding a woman to wear jewelry? Or is God’s emphasis on the inward adornment versus the outward appearance? From these references, it seems that God is more concerned…

  • Devotions

    Prayer In Church

      I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing (1 Timothy 2:8).  What does Paul want to take place in the church?  Prayer.  Let’s read again 1 Timothy 2:1-8.  Are there any new insights that you see about Christ and God?  In your version of the bible, are there the words, “God our savior?”  Did you notice that? This is not a title we often think about for God.  It is used six times in the Old Testament and seven times in the New Testament.  It is used in 1 Timothy 1:1; 2:3; and 4:10. Let’s move along.  Today read 1 Timothy 2:8-15. …

  • Devotions

    Prayer

              I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone – 1 Timothy 2:1 In chapter one, Paul began his letter on the topic of false teachers.  In chapter 2, he is giving instructions on prayer and worship.  In verse one of chapter 2, he uses the word urge, which ties his thoughts from chapter one to chapter 2. What is the connection? Paul’s concern about the false teachers to his call for prayer and worship is God wants everyone to be saved, even false teachers. Praying for others helps us to discern teachers and even transform them.  God doesn’t…