BIBLE STUDY 5 MARCH 2019
Focus: Spiritual leadership
Text: 1 Timothy 5:1 – 16

CULTIVATING A STRONG AND HEALTHY SPIRIT IN THE CHURCH

1. A spiritual family (1 Timothy 5:1 – 2)

a. Older men as fathers

b. Young men as brothers

c. Older women as mothers

d. Younger women as sisters

2. How we treat each other (1 Timothy 5:1 – 2)

a. With respect

b. With dignity

c. With all purity

3. A ministry of care

a. Those who are really widows (1 Timothy 5:3 – 5)

i. They are not to be despised

ii. They are doing their best to care for their family

iii. They are really struggling – left on their own

iv. They trust in God and continue to exercise their faith

b. But watch out for those who take advantage (1 Timothy 5:6)

i. She lives in pleasure

ii. She is spiritually dead

c. Family members must be there to support their widows (1 Timothy 5:7 – 8)

i. The family member must provide for his own rather than burden the church

ii. Those who profess faith and do not care for their own is worse than an unbeliever

d. Those who are worth supporting (1 Timothy 5:9 – 10)

i. They must not be under 60 years old (Younger ones can work!)

ii. They have been a faithful wife to one man

iii. They are well reported for good works

iv. She has brought up children

v. She has lodged strangers

vi. She has washed saints’ feet (A heart of a servant)

vii. She has relieved the afflicted

viii. She has diligently followed every good work

e. Those who are not to be supported (1 Timothy 5:11 – 13)

i. Those who have begun to grow wanton against Christ

ii. They have cast off their faith

iii. They have learnt to be idle

iv. They wander from house to house gossiping and being busy bodies

v. They have the intention to remarry but just taking advantage of the church

f. Wisdom and prudence must be exercised in the church to care for people
(1 Timothy 5:14 – 16)

i. That the name of the Lord and the church would not be spoken against

ii. The family members must be the first to relieve those who are in need

iii. The church must not be taken advantage of at anytime