Train for godliness

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1 Timothy 4:1-10

1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Questions

  1. What effort or steps does it take to train your body with weights or a diet? How could that compare to spiritual training?

  2. Read Acts 10:9-16. How does the Lord align Peter’s vision with Paul’s words in verses 1 Timothy 4:4-5? How do we change our thinking?

  3. What irreverent, silly things (4:7) are we tempted to waste our time on instead of training for godliness?

  4. Focus on 1 Timothy 4:10. Why do we “toil and strive”? How can our training in godliness prepare us for this tension?

  5. List some practical ways we can all be better trained in godliness and good doctrine.

Spend time in prayer

• Pray for our church to grow spiritually that homes would be strengthened by the gospel, the word of God and prayer.

• Pray for VBS coming up on July 14-17!