Next: First Things First Study #8

David Staff   -   May 30, 2021

The Guidance of the Trustworthy Sayings

1 & 2 Timothy, Titus

INTRODUCTION:  In our final consideration of the Apostle Paul’s instructions to pastoral leaders (Titus and Timothy) who were making disciples, we take up his “trustworthy sayings.”  They provide a helpful set of personal and disciple-making guidelines.

GETTING STARTED – Talk about the advice or wisdom you received growing up (perhaps from grandparents, parents, or wise friends)

  • What are some of the words of advice imbedded in you? (They don’t have to be “biblical” ones…one generation often passes all kinds of advice to the next one.  Example – “Always hold the door for a woman.”  Or  “Buy Chevy, not Ford!” 😊
  • Were there any that truly shaped your character?
  • Where there any that arose from Scripture?

IN THE WORD –   Let’s take a closer look at the 5 “trustworthy sayings” –

1st – how do you understand the word “trustworthy?”   Define it, clarify it.

2nd – Discuss the meaning of each one below, and talk about how each can give guidance to our walk with and service for Christ —

1 Timothy 1:15   The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

1 Timothy 3:1    The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.

1 Timothy 4:8-9    Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.

2 Timothy 2:11-13        The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.

Titus 3:4-8     But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.

 

EVAL, DISCUSS AND APPLY – Which of these 5 has the most meaning for you in this stage of your walk with Jesus?  How might you use it in your living in the days to come?   With whom might you share it?

THANK YOU for engaging in these “NEXT” Connect Group Studies.  Remember: To know the Word and not obey the Word is to not know the Word at all, from a Biblical perspective.  (cf. James 1:22-25).