1 Timothy 4:11-14

B3 More pastoral advice.

C1 Paul is speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so all these words are not suggestions, they are required.

C2 Pass along and teach these things.

D1 The Greek word commanding is παραγγέλλω paraggellō. It means to transmit as pass on/pass along a message. Mainly, it is the message of this letter and/or specifically verses 1-10.

D2 A very important message indeed. It is the message of salvation. It is the message of God’s kingdom teachings as God’s rules, worldview, lifestyle, etc.

D3 Whatever we teach and emphasize MUST be believed and lived by us. We cannot be someone who teaches one thing but lives differently. God will judge the hypocrite.

D4 God’s method: 2 Timothy 2:25 NLT Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth.

C3 All Christians need to be an example.

D1 Jesus is our example. He is also the one we are to imitate.

D2 John 13:14-15 GNB  I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you.

D3 1 Peter 2:21 GNB It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps.

D4 We are to be examples to the unsaved in these things: in word, behavior, love, attitude, faith, and purity.

C4 Let no one despise your young age. It is not age that matters but maturity. See Pickering in his notes: As a professor of mine once said, "Your youth is not the problem; it's the immaturity that goes with it."

C5 Consistently apply yourself in reading [of Scripture], exhortation, and to teaching.

D1 Publicly and privately.

E1 We need spiritual food (Scripture), encouragement and motivation (exhortation), and to teach others.

E2 We need to read, think about what we read (the Bible term of meditate, that is, thinking through and deeply), teach what we read, and live what we read.

F1 Joshua 1:8 GW Never stop reciting these teachings. You must think about them night and day so that you will faithfully do everything written in them. Only then will you prosper and succeed.

F2 Psalms 1:2 ESV but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

F3 See also Psalm 19, Psalm 119, and Proverbs 1:1-7.

D2 We are to encourage and motivate others to do the same.

D3 We teach by speaking, doing, correcting, etc.

C6 We receive gifts from the Holy Spirit.

D1 All believers have a gift.

E1 The gift is given so we can serve God faithfully and be successful at it.

E2 The gift is given so we can be joyful and content in exercising that gift.

D2 We must develop this gift by the exercises from verse 13.

D3 God has delegated this to us.

D4 Let us be faithful.

D5 It is possible to neglect our gift. God knows.

C7 Questions

D1 Just based on this Scripture, what are some ways to attain spiritual maturity?

D2 What is the importance of being an example (pleasing to God) in everything we do?

D3 We all have a gift to serve God. Serve God when you see a need and can fulfill it. Why do some not serve God, use the gift God has given, and meet a need if we are able?