What Are You Desiring, Craving, Fleeing, Pursuing?
A study guide · June 24, 2018 · 1 Timothy
In one paragraph
The pastor opened First Timothy 6 with a bear wandering through a Jackson neighborhood on video, using it to frame a single word Paul gives Timothy: flee. The sermon traced what Christians are called to run from and what they are called to pursue, with a recurring detour through the Old Testament prophet Amos to show that the problem is not new. The prosperity gospel came up first. The claim that...
Read together
- 1 Timothy 6:5 imagining that godliness is a means of gain
- 1 Timothy 6:6 godliness with contentment is great gain
- 1 Timothy 6:7 we brought nothing into this world and can take nothing out
- 1 Timothy 6:9 those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare
- 1 Timothy 6:10 the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil
- 1 Timothy 6:10 through this craving some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs
- 1 Timothy 6:11 but as for you, oh man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness
- 1 Timothy 6:12 fight the good fight of the faith, take hold of eternal life
- 1 Timothy 6:13 Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate made the good confession
- 1 Timothy 6:14 keep the commandment unstained until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ
- 1 Timothy 6:15-16 God the blessed and only sovereign, king of kings, lord of lords, who dwells in unapproachable light
- 1 Timothy 6:17 charge the rich not to be haughty nor set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches
- 1 Timothy 6:18-19 be rich in good works, generous and ready to share, storing up treasure as a good foundation
- 1 Corinthians 6:18 flee from sexual immorality, every other sin is outside the body
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man, God provides a way of escape
- 1 Corinthians 10:14 therefore my beloved, flee from idolatry
- Amos 2 referenced for the principle of can two walk together unless they be agreed
- Amos 5:18 warning to those looking forward to the great and mighty day of the Lord, it will be darkness not light
- Amos 5:24 let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream
- Amos 7 Amaziah told Amos to stop preaching; Amos said he was neither a prophet nor son of a prophet
- Jeremiah 29:11 cited in the poem as showing God's plans and how to find Him
- Jeremiah 29:13 cited in the poem as telling how to seek and find God
- John 3:18 cited in the poem on judgment for those who do not believe
- Micah 6:8 act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord your God
- Genesis 39 Joseph fled from Potiphar's wife as an example of fleeing sexual immorality
- Titus 2:11-12 benediction: the grace of God has appeared offering salvation and teaching us to say no to ungodliness
Talk about it
- Marion's poem described a time when she thought she was a believer but was not truly following God. Have you ever had a moment where you realized your faith was more surface-level than you thought? What changed?
- Pastor Nathan used the image of a man texting on his phone who suddenly looks up and sees a bear, then runs. What are the 'bears' in your own life that you know you should flee from but sometimes walk toward without paying attention?
- Paul tells Timothy that 'godliness with contentment is great gain.' What is the difference, in practical day-to-day terms, between being content with what God has provided and simply settling for less than you should pursue?
- Pastor Nathan pointed out that Paul does not just say flee, he says pursue, listing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. Which of those feels most countercultural to you right now, and why?
- Oswald Chambers asked, 'Am I exhibiting the life that men take knowledge of as having been with Jesus?' When people spend time around you this week, what evidence would they have that you have been with Jesus?