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Assignments
for this course take the form of written summaries, research, and
analysis. They are designed to help us work through the course
objectives, while keeping a focus on our spiritual growth through
conceptual learning. For
each assignment, please develop a document and submit it to me in
either Microsoft Word or HTML format (your word processing software
should permit you to do a "save as" and choose either of those formats).
Assignment
Guidelines: Please read 1 Timothy and respond to the analytical
questions. Your responses may be as long or short as necessary to be
complete. Please compile all of your responses in a single file to
submit by email.
Assignment 1
1 Timothy, Chapter 1
1.) Why was it important in this section for Paul to remind Timothy of his apostolic authority?
2.) Paul's letter indicates that he is unafraid to delve into
controversial subjects. Should Christians avoid teaching or dealing
with any subjects that are controversial (or promote controversy)?
3.) How do you determine whether a teaching promotes God's work?
4.) What is an example of a teaching that should be avoided?
5.) In verse 18, what does Paul mean by "fight"? Who are we fighting against?
Reading Assignment read chapters 1-2 in
Max Lucado book
Writing Assignment 2-3 page report on
what you read.
Assignment 2
1 Timothy, Chapter 2
1.) What does praying for those in authority have to do with living quiet and peaceful lives?
2.) Why should Christians seek to live "quiet and peaceful" lives?
3.) What right does Paul have to command women how to dress? What does dress have to do with Christianity?
4.) Are Paul's commands to women (v. 11) gender-specific? Are we not all equal in Christ?
Reading Assignment read chapters 3-4 in
Max Lucado book
Writing Assignment 2-3 page report on
what you read.
Assignment 3
1 Timothy, Chapter 3
1.) What qualifications and characteristics are required of God's "bishops" (overseers)?
2.) How are these different from the requirements for deacons?
3.) How could you use the characteristics mentioned in Chapter 3 to
pray for ministry leaders? 4.) What is "the devil's trap" that is
mentioned in this section?
Reading Assignment read chapters 5-6 in
Max Lucado book
Writing Assignment 2-3 page report on
what you read.
Assignment 4
1 Timothy, Chapter 4
1.) In early Christianity, false teaching was a constant problem. Waves
of doctrine swept through the church from various false teachers. Does
this still happen today?
2.) How do we know if something is a "false" teaching, or if it is merely a "different view" of biblical truth than we hold?
3.) What do think attracts people to such false teachers and false ideas?
4.) How does one "train himself" to be godly (verses 7 & 8)
5.) What did Paul mean (verse 15) when he instructed Timothy to "give yourself wholly to these things?"
6.) Paul instructed Timothy to refute criticism based on Timothy's age.
What qualifications of a young minister permit him to transcend
age-related bias?
Reading Assignment read chapters 7-8 in
Max Lucado book
Writing Assignment 2-3 page report on
what you read.
Assignment 5
1 Timothy, Chapter 5
1.) Should we treat Christians differently based on their age and gender?
2.) What is the problem with "living for pleasure" as Paul describes it? (verse 6)
3.) Paul makes a stinging generalization about young women (verse 13). What do you suppose motivated him to such a comment?
4.) Paul strongly urges Timothy to avoid certain practices (verses
21-25) that are often associated with ministry leadership. What kinds
of problems was Paul seeking to avoid?
5.) Paul's exhortation to Timothy to drink wine (verse 23) has been
used by both sides in the debate about Christians and drinking. What do
you think Paul was saying to Timothy in this verse?
Reading Assignment read chapters 9-10
in Max Lucado book
Writing Assignment 2-3 page report on
what you read.
Assignment 6
1 Timothy, Chapter 6
1.) If slavery existed today, how do you suppose this issue (verses 1 & 2) would be addressed?
2.) Paul discusses "believing owners" without directly addressing
slavery as sin. Is slavery sin, based on a biblical interpretation?
3.) What attitude should Christians have towards legitimate authority figures?
4.) In what ways should we show respect for the structures God has set up in human society?
5.) Paul discusses false teachers in direct context of financial gain.
What is the connection between false teaching and financial gain?
6.) How can "contentment" make one rich?
Reading Assignment read chapters 11-12
in Max Lucado book
Writing Assignment 2-3 page report on
what you read.
Final Assignment: "Battle
Manual." You have recently begun a new position in the Youth Ministries
department of a large suburban church. The department is beginning
"Operation Timothy," in which it is training a group of young men (late
teens, early 20's) for a future in the ministry. Your pastor is deeply
committed to biblical teaching and wants these young men trained
exclusively from the word. He has asked you to develop a training
manual for the program and to base it strictly on solidly biblical
principles.
Please create a "Battle Manual for Young Men in Ministry" based on the
teachings of 1 and 2 Timothy. Your "Battle Manual" should be entirely
practical, while grounded in scripture. It must address the range of
issues young men in the ministry face today. It should be positive and
encouraging, full of "do's" and short of negativity. It should be
concerned with the big picture, yet provide concrete, practical advice
and guidance.
Your manual may be organized any way you choose. It may rely as heavily
on quoting scripture as you wish. It should be short enough (25-30
pages, max) to be manageable and should have a priority on remaining
readable for young men.
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