1 Timothy – Week 1 – Day 2

READ 

1 Timothy 1:3-4 

3 When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. 4 Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God. 

Timothy had traveled with Paul and had been left at Ephesus to put an end to false teaching. Some were wasting their time in unproductive, valueless debates. That which can build up believers in the faith is only the teaching of the apostles’ doctrine, that is now recorded in the Bible. Speculation about myths does not build up anyone’s faith. 

REFLECT 

Do you try to keep spiritual discussions on what is known for sure? This is only found in the Bible not in notions people may have about God and spirituality. 

RESPOND 

With your friend, read Acts 2:41-42 to see what the early church focused on. The word “doctrine” is the basic word for “teaching.” As you study the New Testament and see what it says you are reading the apostles’ doctrine, or teaching.