Thanks always for all you do!
Use any of the suggestions below to supplement your Discover Guide plans or ETB Leader Guide teaching plans. Don't forget to check Extra! for additional helps!
The Target
Focus on what adults should leave knowing, understanding, and doing.
Adults will identify the actions and attitudes that are pleasing to God in worship and determine whether their lives reflect those actions and attitudes.
Adults will identify the actions and attitudes that are pleasing to God in worship and determine whether their lives reflect those actions and attitudes.
Look Up
Use "Soft Methods" to draw attention to the study as adults are visiting and gathering for Bible study.
Display the following statement: I Love My Church. . . I Worship With It
As adult begin to gather, ask the group to discuss how worship is a way of expressing our love for the church. Solicit or share a personal testimony of a meaningful worship service you have experienced. Explain how there have also been times when worship was not as meaningful. Ask the group to identify things that prevent or distract us from truly worshiping. (Caution: Be careful not to allow this to turn in to a critique of music or other elements that might be based upon personal preference versus truly distracting worship issues.)
Refer to Bro Ken's sermon for Sunday and his focus or how he will be focusing on the element of corporate worship.
Display the following statement: I Love My Church. . . I Worship With It
As adult begin to gather, ask the group to discuss how worship is a way of expressing our love for the church. Solicit or share a personal testimony of a meaningful worship service you have experienced. Explain how there have also been times when worship was not as meaningful. Ask the group to identify things that prevent or distract us from truly worshiping. (Caution: Be careful not to allow this to turn in to a critique of music or other elements that might be based upon personal preference versus truly distracting worship issues.)
Refer to Bro Ken's sermon for Sunday and his focus or how he will be focusing on the element of corporate worship.
Look In
Ideas for communicating and studying the Word:
Context
Paul used the first chapter to remind Timothy of his assignment -- to resist error, advocate truth, and proclaim salvation. Remind the group of the culture in Ephesus. Explain how chapter 2 consists of instructions for public worship in the church. Paul was concerned that corporate worship would be carried on effectively and helpfully. He focuses on reminding Timothy about the nature of corporate worship.
Pray for Others When we Worship Together (Timothy 2:1-4)
Discussion Option One (verse 1)
Direct the group to circle the phrase, "first of all." Explain: Paul meant prayer was of primary importance. Ask: Why is prayer of primary importance as we come together to worship? Is it prayer that takes place during worship only? Explain: Paul went on to explain how we should be praying.
In Advance, write the following verses on index cards or list them on the board. Ask volunteers to read each verse as you call it out: Romans 10:1; 2 Corinthians 9:14; Ephesians 1:16-17; Colossians 4:2; 1 Timothy 4:5; Philippians 4:6. Direct the group to underline the following in their Bibles: petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings. Identify the meaning of these using the following:
- Petitions: Requests made to God based on awareness of a specific need. Urgent requests based on a sense of deep spiritual need. Ask volunteers to read Romans 10:1; 2 Corinthians 9:14.
- Prayers: Most general and frequently used term for prayer. Signifies praying to God as a form of worship. Ask volunteers to read Ephesians 1:16-17; Colossians 4:2.
- Intercessions: Used here and in 1 Timothy 4:5. Implies confidence that God will answer such prayers. Ask a volunteer to read 1 Timothy 4:5.
- Thanksgivings: When should we pray with thanksgiving, before or after a prayer has been answered? Before and after. Why? (act of faith) Ask volunteers to read Philippians 4:6.
Point out that Paul stated we should pray for everyone. Direct the group to list in the margin of their study guides who their "everyone" includes. Point out that verse 2 references praying for kings and rulers.
Remind the group that the Roman Emperor Nero was one they were to pray for. He is associated with tyranny and the persecution of Christians. Yet, they were to pray for him and other leaders in authority. Ask the group to review their list. Who else should be added related to those in authority over us?
Point out the prayers for rulers have at least one specific objective: a tranquil and quiet life or a stable and benevolent government. Prayers should not only be for salvation but for the government not to intrude upon or inhibit the life and work of the church.
If you were the Ephesus church, how would you pray for Nero? How can we pray for leaders today who might be anti-Christian? How should this be applied to leaders we don't agree with today?
Ask the group to evaluate how many times during private and corporate worship that they have paused to lift up people on their list. Who is the most difficult person on the list to pray for?
"When believers worship, they are to pray for everyone, including government authorities. We are to do so because God loves everyone, wants all to be saved, and has tasked us to share that good news as broadly and as often as possible. We please God in our worship when we pray from a holy heart for everyone." (ETB Commentary, p23)Celebrating the Truth When We Worship Together (1 Timothy 2:5-7)
Discussion Option:
Identify the three parts of coming to the knowledge of the truth (Direct the group to one of the following pages to answer the question: If using the the Discovery Study Guide see page 24. If using the Personal Study Guide see page 24.
- There is one God: (note: the Discovery Study Guide does not begin with this truth.) One God is actually correct. There are not multiple deities-one for Jews and one for Gentiles, one for rich and one for poor. All persons must therefore come to this God.
- There is one Mediator: A go-between, someone who brings together two parties that are separated.
- The man, Christ Jesus: Christ emphasizes Jesus' role as the long-promised Messiah. The name Jesus means "the Lord is salvation." The term "human" points to His connection with all humanity. (See ETB Leader Guide for more information, p26)
- Gave Himself, a ransom for all: The all includes the "everyone" previously mentioned. That is why prayer is so important! Ransom refers to the cost of purchasing a slave out of slavery or of securing the release of a prisoner of war. Jesus willingly did this for everyone!
To be of any use, a bridge across a chasm or river must be anchored on both sides. Christ has closed the gap between deity and humanity. He has crossed the grand canon, so deep and wide, between heaven and earth. He has bridged the chasm that separated man from God. With one foot planted in eternity, he planted the other in time. He who was the eternal Son of God became the Son of Man. And across this bridge, the man Christ Jesus, we can come into the very presence of God, knowing that we are accepted because we have a Mediator." (The Expositors Bible Commentary, Volume 11, p358)Proper Behavior When We Worship Together (1 Timothy 2:8-15)
Caution: As you approach these verses be sure to remain focused on the context of corporate worship and the culture of Ephesus. To understand the heart of Paul, I suggest you review the information in the following resources:
- ETB Commentary, pages 25-29
- QuickSource, Dig Deeper on page 13
Explain how the "therefore" is pointing back to the discussion on corporate worship. These passages should be read in this context. In this context, individuals, both men and women, were to conduct themselves properly during corporate worship. Godly character was more important than external appearance. Both men and women were to grow as followers of Jesus and submit to the teaching of the gospel.
With that said, how were men supposed to act?
- Pray (as previously described).
- Lifting up holy hands (Reflects the person's holy character).
- Without anger or argument (They were to check their attitudes at the door).
- Verses 9-10 emphasize a picture of a person who has focused an inordinate amount of time, energy, and money on an appearance designed to impress.
- The text does not mandate that a godly woman be unattractive or shabbily dressed.
- Paul was not forbidding women to give normal attention to neatness and good taste.
- Paul was prohibiting dressing ostentatiously or provocatively.
- In verse 10 Paul emphasizes that a genuine woman of God should understand that inner character is more important than outer appearance and should not consider the blessing of wealth or beauty an acceptable substitute for excellence of character. (See ETB Commentary for more information, p 26)
Does this seem biased or are women elevated in these passages? Is Paul stating that a woman can only be saved through childbirth? (no, that would be salvation by works). Use the following to guide the discussion: (NOTE: Please be sensitive to women in your group who might not be able to have children)
- Women in this culture were not viewed very highly.
- Paul is actually elevating women because they were now included in worship and were able to learn.
- Because of women's new found opportunities there needed to be some guidelines as well as a proper perspective.
- Not allowing women to teach or have authority is in the context of public assemblies but is also emphasized in other passages as it relates to the roles of men and women in the home.
- Paul uses the context of the creation of humanity to explain. This does not say that a woman can only be saved through childbirth. The emphasis is on the role of a woman in the home as a wife and a mother.
- In keeping with Paul's emphasis on Christlike character and its relation to corporate worship, childbearing, raising children, and serving as a good mother and wife call for continuing in these virtues.
- Motherhood is a role appointed by God and is therefore a high and holy calling.
- KEY: Most likely Paul meant that married women prove the reality of their salvation by becoming model wives and mothers.
Hitting the target and applying it to daily living.
We worship God best, not when we seek to elevate ourselves and impress others, but when we worship with humility, seeking to serve Him, praying for everyone, and exalting the message of salvation in our worship.
Review the three areas discussed: (1) Praying for Others (2) Celebrating the Truth of the Gospel; (3) Behaving properly in worship. Ask the group to identify one action they will take in one of these areas in order to be better focused on worship.
