I Timothy Chapter 5
The wisdom Paul writes about in this chapter will help Timothy, a young Pastor, lead his church well. Paul said that he should not rebuke the elders in his church. The term rebuke has the idea of “slapping” someone with harsh words. If Timothy were to find that the elders of his church were in need of correction, his best approach would be to correct them in sincerity with the authority of the Word of God, and to correct them in love. Throughout Paul’s teaching we see that he wants the church to respond to each other as a loving family would respond to each other. We believers are, after all, the family of God.
Let's Reflect
1. As there would be widows in a church, the church was admonished to take care of them. What group of people should take care of the widow before the church?
2. Who does the widow need to learn to put her trust in?
3. How are the family members viewed, who refuse to take care of their own family members who are in need?
4. There will always be people who come asking a pastor of a church to help them with financial needs. The pastor must be careful not to just give anyone who knocks on the door assistance. This takes great discernment, and it is often difficult to know who is deceiving to obtain money for (alcohol and drugs). Paul advised that the monies of the church be used very wisely to help those who are sincere about their faith in God. The widow who is living life for her own pleasure (and not for God) is considered as one who is what?
5. Paul advised the church to use the marker of the age of 60 in consideration of what widows should be put on the budget of the church to be helped. If they were under 60 it would be most likely that they were still young enough to take care of themselves or to re-marry. What are the godly characteristics of a widow that the church should help?
6. What are the dangers of a church helping a younger widow? [Please know that these are not hard and fast rules, but Paul is providing guidelines for the church.]
7. What is the underlying thought that Paul has regarding a young widow? What will she most likely do?
8. He ends the chapter with the responsibility the church has to take care of the leadership of the church. Paul wants the church to understand its obligation to financially support their pastor. He also wants the church to be very careful about how they bring an accusation of sin against the pastor. If the church finds that the pastor (or any leader of the church) has sinned, they must bring witnesses. How many witnesses are required?
9. If the leader still persists in his sin how is the church to handle the situation?
10. The best thing for a leader of a church is to follow those things set forth earlier in the letter. He is to be a man above reproach. People can try to hide their sins, but what always happens?
