The Goal of Our Instruction (Part 1)

The Goal of Our Instruction (Part 1)

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: The Goal of Our Instruction (Part 1)-------------- Date: 2/11/2000
Keywords: "conscience" "faith" "heart" "love" "pure"

Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation.

Passage: 1 Timothy 1:5*

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Questions

1. Read the first 5 verses of 1 Timothy (written below) to get the context of what Paul is saying.

2. How does Paul describe himself?

3. Who was Timothy?

4. Where is Timothy and where is Paul as he writes this letter?

5. What was Timothy directed to do?

1 Timothy 1:1-5*

1. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope;

2. to Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3. As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus, in order that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines,

4. nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering God’s provison which is by faith.

5. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Practical help

This is how the letter of one older man to a younger man begins. Timothy is like a son to Paul and Paul has placed him in a situation where he must work and grow. As he does so, the apostle gives him encouragement and advice. If you have never had an older and wiser friend like Paul was to Timothy, read these verses as if Paul has placed you on assignment. You can also read it as a love letter from your Heavenly Father whose heart for you is like that of Paul’s for Timothy, only greater.

Note the three-word blessing in verse 2, "Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." As you read these words, how do they apply to you? Just as Paul is not with Timothy, I am not with you at this moment. What can I give you that will help you with your struggles with pornography and the shame that it produces in you? Nothing, but this – may you experience the grace of God today. He loves you. You are important to Him. May you experience the mercy of God today. Jesus died for you to show you God’s mercy. And may you experience the peace of God today. May he allow you to rest in Him. No where else will you find what you are truly looking for – it will not be found on porno web sites and you know this.

If you want to know more about God’s love for you, click here.

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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLEŽ, Š Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."