Training For Godliness
Background Story: Timothy was a young man who trained under Paul to be a leader of the church. Paul sent Timothy letters to help him grow and mature in his faith and as a leader.
Read 1 Timothy 4:7-13
Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.
11 Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. 12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
Big Idea: We have opportunities each day to train in godliness.
Godliness is defined as “conforming to the character of God in your thoughts, feelings, desires, and actions.” Throughout life, we are giving ample “opportunities” for such training. When a coworker or schoolmate is difficult and hard to deal with. When we face sorrow at the loss of a loved one. When anxieties and fears fill our mind. In all times and all things, God invites us to Himself. In His presence, we see that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts, not ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). And as we submit our frustrations, sorrows, fears, temptations, and situations to Him, we are repetitively training for godliness, conforming our thoughts, feelings, desires and actions to the character of God.
In Our Frustrations: “Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:13-14
In Our Sorrows: “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.” Psalm 34:17-19
In Our Fears: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
In Our Decisions: “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5
In Our Temptations: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
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