Athey Creek | Audio Podcast

As Paul continues to share his ministry model with young Timothy in 1 Timothy 3, he outlines the responsibilities of those leading the church and the qualifications they must meet to serve in those positions. As we look at God’s design for church leadership, we discover the distinctions between these roles, how leaders are appointed, and why their qualifications are so important.

Many have opinions about how we should conduct ourselves in church, but when it comes right down to it, God's Word, not church traditions, culture, or personal opinions, has the final authority. As Paul addresses how we ought to behave in the church in 1 Timothy 3:14-15, we learn about some of the bizarre traditions in church history, what questions we should ask to evaluate the practices of the church, and how we should personally conduct ourselves when we come into the house of the Lord.

In what is perhaps one of the most misinterpreted and controversial sections of Scripture, Paul talks about how women should behave in church and serve in ministry. As we seek to interpret 1 Timothy 2:9-13 accurately, we learn how to rightly divide God’s Word to understand what Paul is really saying in light of culture, context, and the original meaning.

As Paul addresses the challenges Timothy faces in pastoring his church, he encourages him to keep fighting the good fight and persevere in his calling. In 1 Timothy 1:17-2:8, we too find encouragement to embrace our God-given gifts and continue walking in faith, while also gaining a deeper understanding of God’s heart for all people to come to salvation through Jesus Christ.

Paul tells Timothy what the top priority within the church should be in 1 Timothy 2:1-3, and his instruction is just as applicable to us today as it was in their day. As we consider what Paul teaches about prayer, we learn about the different types of prayer we should engage in and discover an Old Testament example in Daniel that offers a practical model for our own prayer lives.

We begin our study of 1 Timothy by examining the “God to me” mindset threatening the church in Ephesus and how this same departure from God’s truth was seen during the period of the Judges. As we explore 1 Timothy 1:1-17, we see Paul’s opening words to his son in the faith, Timothy, in which he encourages the young pastor and urges him to uphold sound doctrine amid false teaching, idle talk, and legalism that threaten to lead the church astray.

Paul summarizes his testimony in 1 Timothy 1:12-16, presenting his life as a pattern that demonstrates Christ’s power to save sinners. As we reflect on our own sinful nature in light of his example, we’re challenged to consider what God has saved us from, properly recognize our present condition as sinners saved by grace, and understand what Jesus did to secure our salvation.

After teaching the church at Thessalonica about the Rapture, the Antichrist, and Jesus’ Second Coming, Paul switches gears in 2 Thessalonians 2–3 to offer practical encouragement. As we study these chapters, we see him urge them to stand fast in faith, pray for the Gospel to spread rapidly, and avoid those who are idle and disruptive.

As we wrap up our series on “The End,” we come to the climax and the entire point of everything we’ve studied: Jesus is coming back. In 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, we see what will happen when He returns, and as we consider what it means to be ready for this, we learn what we should be busy doing and why it is essential to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Paul has some very important matters to address in his second letter to the church at Thessalonica, but he begins by offering them solid encouragement in several areas. As we look at the praise he gives them, the promises he reminds them of, and the prayer he offers on their behalf in 2 Thessalonians 1, we learn how to endure trials patiently, are reminded of God’s plan for humanity, and see why we should strive to be worthy of our calling.