1 Timothy 5
August 19, 2022
“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” (v1-2)
The Apostle Paul calls Pastor Timothy to see everyone in the church as a member of his family. Older men who need to be rebuked are to be treated with the honor that would be given to one’s dad. This will guard Timothy from the abuse of power that so often trips up pastors. Interacting with younger women is to mirror the way a young man would interact with one’s sister - so that Timothy doesn’t slip into the kind of sexual sin and scandal that so often trips up pastors. Treating everyone in the church as family is not only a gift to the church; it’s a safeguard for the pastor’s own soul.
Father, I praise You for the gift of a family I’ve received in the church. It was one of the first gifts I recognized You giving me upon coming to faith in Christ. I pray You would help me to pastor everyone in Your church like they are my mother, father, brother and sister. In fact, may everyone at Trinity feel like they’re part of a family and treat each other like family, so that Your church is built up and You are glorified.
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
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Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
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Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
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➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
