Understanding the Pastoral Epistles

Why are I and 2 Timothy, and Titus often called the "pastoral epistles"

• because they were written TO pastors: Timothy in Ephesus, and Titus in Crete, encouraging them and guiding them for continuing on in the work

• because Paul was their pastor, and he was writing to his church

Who was Timothy?

• a young traveling companion of Paul who had become a pastor in Ephesus

• an apostle in Jerusalem

How did Timothy first learn about Jesus?

• He converted to Jesus after seeing a vision of Jesus while on the road to Damascus.

• "from infancy" he was trained in the Scriptures by his Grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, who were believers

• He was first taught about Jesus by Paul

Where is Paul when he writes 2 Timothy?

• in Corinth, at the house church of Aquila and Priscilla

• in the mamertine prison in Rome, soon to be executed

• on the island of Crete

• in Ephesus

In 1 and 2 Timothy, what does Paul warn about in the last days?

• there will be terrible times: people will be lovers of themselves, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God

• people will not put up with sound doctrine, but will surround themselves with teachers who will tell them what their itching ears want to hear

• people will abandon the faith

• all of the above

In 2 Timothy 3 Paul says "15... from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you ​ (a)   for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-​ (b)   and is useful for teaching, ​ (c)   , correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly ​ (d)   for every good work."

• breathed
• rebuking
• wise
• equipped

In 2 Timothy 4:1-2 Paul gives quite an emphatic introduction (!) : "1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: _____________"

• run the course, finish the race

• preach the Word...correct, rebuke, and encourage

• appoint elders in every town, and continue this work that I started

Get a Bible and read Titus chapter 1. Which sums up the content of that chapter?

• Paul left Titus on the island of Crete and told him to appoint church leaders. He then gives qualifications that a church leader must have.

• Paul defends the Gospel, and affirms that He who began a good work in Titus would carry it on to completion

• Paul reminds Titus of his calling, and urges him to fan into flame the gift that is in him through the laying on of hands

Paul tells Timothy to reflect on a farmer, an athlete, and a soldier. What do they have in common?

• they were all professions that Paul had done before becoming a missionary

• the need for focus, discipline, goals, rules, patient endurance. They are all difficult, but bring a later reward that makes it all worth it