Lesson 41: Jesus Christ: “That Ye Might Believe That Jesus Is the Christ” - 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus
Watch the video: Olympic Runner - pulls hamstring
How is life like this type of race? How is life different than a race?
Today we get the opportunity to read and discuss the epistles of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus
These books are books of council given to leaders of the church - Pastors much like bishops or stake presidents in our day.
Many people call them the Pastoral Letters.
He talks to them about a few doctrinal principles that can keep us strong and not loosing our way to apostasy.
Attention Activity:
Watch the video: Olympic Runner - pulls hamstring
How is life like this type of race? How is life different than a race?
Who was the person who came out to help Derek during his race?
How many winners are there in most competitive races?
Today we get the opportunity to read and discuss the epistles of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus
These books are books of council given to leaders of the church - Pastors much like bishops or stake presidents in our day.
Many people call them the Pastoral Letters.
He talks to them about a few doctrinal principles that can keep us strong and not loosing our way to apostasy.
Basic Themes
- Teach Correct Doctrine - as from the scriptures
- Praying for our Leaders both in/out of the church
- Center ourselves in the simple truths of the Gospel - Atonement/Baptism/Repentance
- Warning about Perilous Times - that apply to us in our day and age.
#1 Teach Correct Doctrine:
1 Tim 1:3-6 - Jesus Christ is our hope, Neither give heed to fables, endless genealogies
Doctrine that cause questions rather than edifying in faith
Stick to Charity, Pure heart and faith unfeigned, some have swerved to vain jangling - desiring to be a teacher, but not understanding
1 Tim 4:6,13 - put the brethren in remembrance of the commandments of god - nourish them in the words of faith and good doctrine.
Titus 2:1-5 - Speak sound doctrine, that aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith
Titus 2:1-5 - Speak sound doctrine, that aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith
That the aged women also be in holiness, not false accusers, teachers of good things
1 Tim 6:20-21 - Keep that which is committed to thy trust avoiding van babbling and oppositions of science falsely so called.
2 Tim 2:16-18 - shun profane vain babbling - who say the resurrection is past - overthrowing the faith of some
2 Tim 2:16-18 - shun profane vain babbling - who say the resurrection is past - overthrowing the faith of some
How do we know we are teaching/hearing correct doctrine?
Mosiah 18:19-20 Teach nothing save what is taught in the scriptures - basics of Gospel
D&C 42:12-14 - What shall we teach? what is found in the scriptures.
D&C 52:9 - Teach nothing save that which is written - and received through Holy Ghost
True doctrine - Boyd K Packer - Ensign October 1986
“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. … That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 20; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 17).
What is an Endless Genealogy? March 1986 - Ensign - I have a question - endless genealogy
In 1 Tim 1:4, and Titus 3:9 we are exhorted to avoid foolish/endless genealogies what does this mean?
These passages, taken out of context, could cause misunderstanding. Paul was not condemning genealogy work itself. The importance of genealogy had been well established from the time of Adam down to Paul’s day. The respected Bible scholar Dr. Adam Clarke tells us that “the Jews had scrupulously preserved their genealogical tables till the advent of Christ; and the evangelists had recourse to them, and appealed to them in reference to our Lord’s descent from the house of David; Matthew taking this genealogy in the descending, Luke in the ascending, line. And whatever difficulties we may now find in these genealogies, they were certainly clear to the Jews; nor did the most determined enemies of the Gospel attempt to raise one objection to it from the appeal which the evangelists had made to their own public and accredited tables.”
Questionable or Sensational Gospel discussions - June 1987 Ensign
Guided by the Spirit, a discerning gospel teacher can become sensitive to topics that are inappropriate to discuss in a classroom setting, such as: Does the Holy Ghost have a body? If not, when will he get one? Was Jesus married? What is the full sequence of events before and after the Millennium? Who will a child belong to if the parents are divorced and they each remarry? Some subjects require quiet contemplation in an atmosphere of reverence such as the temple. Other subjects, because of their questionable and controversial nature, can detract from the Spirit. Each of us shares the responsibility for being careful about introducing discussion of the sacred or the controversial.
What should we teach?
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin counseled: “God has revealed everything necessary for our salvation. We should teach and dwell on the things that have been revealed and avoid delving into so-called mysteries. My counsel to teachers in the Church, whether they instruct in wards and stakes, Church institutions of higher learning, institutes of religion, seminaries, or even as parents in their homes, is to base their teachings on the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 101; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 77).
#2 Pray for all men - specifically our church/government leaders
1 Tim 2:1-4 pray and thanks for all men - specifically those in authority - leaders of governments/church
Why do you suppose that Paul gave this council?
Why did he say to pray for leaders of our nation as well as the church?
#3 Center ourselves in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
- 1 Tim 2:4-7 All men can be saved through atonement of Jesus Christ
- 1 Tim 2:8-9 All men lift up hands in prayer not wrath - nothing doubting women to adorn themselves with modesty
- 1 Tim 3:1-7 Qualifications of a Bishop
- 1 Tim 3:8-11 Qualifications of a Deacon
- 1 Tim 5:1-3 Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as father, honor widows
- 1 Tim 5:8 If any provide not for his own - he is a denier of the faith
- 1 Tim 5:19-21 Be careful in church disciple of elders
- 1 Tim 5:22 Lay not hands on a man suddenly - be pure
- 1 Tim 6:9-12
Love of Mone
y is the root of all evil - 1 Tim 6:17-19 Those that are rich should be not high minded nor trust in riches but God - distribute as needed
- 2 Tim 1:8-9 Be not ashamed of the
Testimony
of our lord - 2 Timothy 3:15-18 Stick to the scriptures as given by inspiration - they are to be used for reproof, correction and instruction
#4 Perilous times shall come
- 1 Tim 4:1-2 Giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils - conscience seared with hot iron
- 1 Tim 4:3-5 Forbidding to Mary - and abstaining from meats D&C 49:18-19
- 2 Tim 3:1-5,7-8 Lover's of self, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, traitors, high minded, lovers of pleasure, having form of godliness, ever learning and never coming to knowledge of truth
- 2 Tim 4:3-4 They will not endure sound doctrine, but look to teachers having itching ears, turn away from truth
Video - Perilous Times -
Gordon B Hinkley - Perilous Times
Boyd K. Packer - Perilous Times
Thomas S. Monson - Perilous Times
Compare the differences in their content over time... its interesting.
Conclusion
Although we may live in perilous times we should learn from these epistles how to strengthen ourselves through true doctrine, and centering ourselves in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to remember that it is by grace we are saved and that the promise of eternal life is to all them that obey him, he cannot lie and we can hold onto that promise as an anchor to our souls(Ether 12:4).