Archive for category: GAMEtime Sharing

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 1 Timothy 5:9-16.  Let’s go!

1 Timothy 5:9-10 (NIV) 
9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 
10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. 

On verses 9-10:  It appears that Timothy’s church in Ephesus gave widows a special opportunity to get on “a list of widows” where they would receive financial or material support from the church, possibly in exchange for a pledge not to remarry but to serve in the church full time (this pledge may be alluded to in verses 11-12).  Here Paul outlines the requirements that a widow must meet in order to be on this list.  Since the widows chosen were leaders in the church in some way, it is no surprise that most of the requirements a widow must meet to be on the list have to do with the widow’s character.  Thus Paul says that to qualify a widow must have been faithful to her late husband (v9) and be well known for her good deeds, having the attitude of a humble servant and host (v10).

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 1 Timothy 4:11-16.  Let’s go!

1 Timothy 4:11-12 (NIV)
11  Command and teach these things.
12  Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

On verses 11-12:  Some commentators speculate that Timothy had a shy and not so aggressive personality and because of that Paul is encouraging Timothy to step into his role as a pastor with confidence.  Whether or not that’s true, verses 11-12 show us that for Paul being an effective pastor and spiritual leader is not just about what you say (v11) but also how you live (v12). Godly leaders don’t just message people about how to follow Christ; they model it for them too.  For those around you, may you set an example of what a Christian should be in the way you speak (speech), the way you live (life), the way you treat others (love), the way you trust and believe God’s Word (faith), and the way you seek to please God with your life (purity).

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 1 Timothy 3:8-16.  Let’s go!

1 Timothy 3:8-9 (NIV) 
8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 
9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

On verses 8-9:  In these verses Paul describes the qualifications that deacons must meet.  Deacons were special helpers to the overseer/pastor.  They would assist the overseer/pastor in caring for the flock and possibly also leading certain ministries in the church.

The qualifications of a deacon are similar to those expected of overseers:

– “worthy of respect”:   This is a general term that means carrying yourself in a way that others can admire and look up to.

– “sincere”: To be more specific, it means don’t be a person of “double talk”; that is, don’t be someone who cares for people to their face but then gossips about them behind their back.

– “not indulging in much wine”: This means being someone who is in control of his passions and appetites.

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 1 Timothy 2:8-15.  Let’s go!
 
1 Timothy 2:8 (NIV)
8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

On verse 8:  Some people stereotypically think, “It’s the man’s job to work/watch football and the woman’s job to pray”.  But here Paul affirms that one of the most important things a man can do is to devote himself to prayer.  When a man devotes himself to prayer, he is much better able to lead in his home, to see things from God’s perspective, to bring God’s wisdom to situations and to model Christ to those in his care (especially his own family).

So men, don’t neglect your prayer life.  Prayer is actually one of the most important types of work we can do, and one of the highest callings we have to fulfill.

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 1 Timothy 1:12-20.  Let’s go!

1 Timothy 1:12-15 (NIV)
12  I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.
13  Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
14  The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15  Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.

On verses 12-15:  No matter how far Paul advanced as a leader in God’s kingdom, Paul never forgot where he came from, how he once was a persecutor of God’s church, “the worst of sinners” he calls himself.  Likewise, may you never forget the depths from which God saved you, so that you will never take for granted His forgiveness, His acceptance, and the opportunities He has given you to serve Him since.