Pastor's Sunday School Blog
Sunday School Lesson
“Toward Obedience to His Word”
April 15, 2018
1 Timothy 4:11-16, 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Titus 2:11-14
Pastor’s Notes (Some additional thoughts for your Sunday school lesson):
Pastors are leaders; leaders require followers. A leader is not a leaders absent followers. Pastor’s lead by the exhortation of the Word and the example of their lives.
Consider and discuss the implications of Hebrews 13:17, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable to you.”
Like it or not, pastors are on public display. They live in glass houses … often subject to rocks thrown by both the world and the church.
A verse to live by, for both the pastor and church member: “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” You must know the Word and live the Word before you can teach the Word.
Shepherds serve God’s people by embodying the truth they proclaim (1 Timothy 4:1-16).
The Word of God is not to be presented as an option to be considered, but as the “command” of God.
The pastor is not a dictator imposing his will, but a declarer of God’s word.
The proof of your ministry is not what you say, but what you do. Believers often find their example for Christian living by observing their pastors/church leaders.
Pastors/church leaders are to set the example of godly communication, Christian conduct, love in action, faithfulness to the things of God, and holy living. Pastors are to pastor the teachings of Scripture.
The gifts and callings of the pastor should be confirmed by those who witness their lives and ministry.
We are to continue to grow by practicing our faith …. Spiritual growth should be evident to those who view your life on a regular basis. What do those closest to you think about your walk with God?
It is important to audit your spiritual life, do a spiritual inventory, to understand where you are, and where you need to be.
Guard your life (others are watching).
“… that you will save both yourself and your hearers” is not a reference to salvation, but rather a warning against failure.
Shepherds serve God’s people by preaching truth, even when it is costly (2 Timothy 4:1-8).
Paul, shortly before his death, writes to Timothy, his son in the ministry, to encourage him to remain faithful to God, fulfilling his calling no matter what.
Remember, the day of the Lord is coming, and judgment follows…
His Final Instructions to Timothy: (1) Preach/proclaim the Word whether convenient or not (2) Rebuke. Confront those who oppose the truths of God (3) Correct them, show them the error of their ways (4) Encourage them (move from the negative to the positive).
Warning (then and now) People will not want to hear the TRUTH, but would rather hear what makes them[M1] feel better about themselves
The pastor cannot be swayed by what people think or what people want but it to hold fast to his calling, fulfilling the will of the Lord.
Paul reminds Timothy from the example of his own life: It is not how you start that matters but how you finish.
Why do you think that only 1 of 10 who start in the ministry remain?
Paul was able to finish well because he kept his eye on the prize (the crown of righteousness).
Make ministry about anything other than the Lord and you will fail. The motivation in ministry cannot be how much you make or what people think (See Galatians 1:10).
God’s people follow the shepherd by submitting to God’s Word (Titus 2:11-14).
Paul shares with Titus why we should want to live according to the Word of God:
“grace” – we don’t deserve what God has done for us
“for all people” – Salvation is freely offered to all people.
The Word of God teaches us to abstain from godless and immoral living, and live a life marked by purity, holiness, and righteousness motivated by the glorious return of Christ.
Christ’s ministry of salvation was to redeem us from lawlessness, and cleanse us from sin creating for Himself a people committed to do good works resulting in His glory.
Theological Theme: God calls and gifts men chosen by Him to lead the Church in obedience to His Word.
Christological/Christ Connection: The model for pastors/shepherds is the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ Who led by exhortation and example.
Missional Application: Pray for and encourage the pastors/church leaders who serve God by serving the church. Remember a leader only exist where there are those who follow.