Training in Godliness: A Call to Spiritual Discipline
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the importance of training ourselves in godliness, as emphasized in Paul's letters to Timothy. Just as athletes train rigorously for their physical endeavors, we are called to exercise vigorously in our spiritual lives. This training in godliness holds value not only for our present life but also for the life to come. Paul’s instructions to Timothy serve as a guide for all believers, urging us to be examples in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
We began by acknowledging the significance of our connectional giving within the Global Methodist Church, which allows us to contribute to both local and global missions. This act of generosity is a reflection of our commitment to the broader body of Christ.
As we delved into 1 Timothy 4, we were reminded that our spiritual training involves consistent engagement with scripture, prayer, and the exercise of our faith. Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to not let anyone look down on him because of his youth is a powerful reminder that the truth of God transcends age. We are all called to be examples of Christ, regardless of our stage in life.
Paul’s five-part instruction to Timothy—to set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity—challenges us to reflect Christ in every aspect of our lives. Our words, actions, and beliefs must align with the teachings of Jesus, and we must be diligent in our spiritual practices.
We concluded with a call to persevere in our faith, recognizing that our steadfastness has eternal implications not only for ourselves but also for those who observe our lives. As we partake in the Holy Communion, we are reminded of Christ’s sacrifice and our call to live out our faith with integrity and devotion.
### Key Takeaways
1. Training in Godliness: Just as athletes train rigorously for their physical goals, we are called to exercise vigorously in our spiritual lives. This involves consistent engagement with scripture, prayer, and spiritual disciplines. Training in godliness holds value for both the present life and the life to come, making it essential for our eternal impact. [39:39]
2. Being an Example: Paul’s instruction to Timothy to set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity is a call for all believers. Our words and actions must reflect Christ, and we must be diligent in our spiritual practices. This example is crucial as it influences those around us, drawing them closer to Jesus. [46:47]
3. Consistent Engagement: There are no off days for Christians. We are called to be full-time followers of Christ, dedicating all our hours to knowing Him more and making Him known. This consistent engagement with our faith ensures that we do not neglect the gifts God has given us and that we continue to grow in godliness. [52:40]
4. Perseverance in Faith: Our steadfastness in life and doctrine is vital because it affects not only our salvation but also the salvation of those who observe our lives. We must remain committed to our faith, knowing that our perseverance has eternal implications for ourselves and those we love. [55:47]
5. Community and Accountability: We all have blind spots in our spiritual lives that others can help us see. Surrounding ourselves with mentors, accountability groups, and a supportive church community allows us to receive constructive feedback and grow in our faith. This communal aspect of our faith journey is essential for our spiritual development. [54:13]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[07:20] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[09:34] - Centering Prayer
[11:46] - Nicene Creed
[16:50] - Connectional Giving Explained
[18:17] - Prayer of Generosity
[30:30] - Prayer for Healing and Presence
[33:37] - Olympic Athletes and Spiritual Training
[37:11] - Reading from 1 Timothy 4
[39:24] - Training in Godliness
[46:47] - Being an Example in Speech and Conduct
[50:13] - Devotion to Scripture and Teaching
[52:40] - Consistent Engagement in Faith
[55:47] - Perseverance and Accountability
[59:00] - Call to Break a Sweat for Jesus
[01:00:31] - Communion Liturgy
[01:17:33] - Bulgaria Covenant and Upcoming Events
[01:18:56] - Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1 Timothy 4:6-16 (NIV)
### Observation Questions
1. What are the five areas in which Paul instructs Timothy to set an example for believers? ([38:03])
2. According to the sermon, what does Paul mean by "training in godliness"? ([39:39])
3. How does Paul describe the value of physical training compared to godliness? ([37:45])
4. What does Paul advise Timothy to do with the gift given to him through prophecy? ([38:33])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of setting an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity? How might this influence the believers around Timothy? ([46:47])
2. What does it mean to "train yourself to be godly," and how can this be compared to physical training? ([39:39])
3. How does consistent engagement with scripture and prayer contribute to our spiritual growth and godliness? ([52:40])
4. Why is perseverance in faith crucial for both personal salvation and the salvation of others who observe our lives? ([55:47])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate more consistent engagement with scripture and prayer into your life? ([52:40])
2. Think about your speech and conduct. Are there specific areas where you need to be more mindful of setting a Christ-like example? ([46:47])
3. Identify a spiritual discipline (e.g., fasting, meditation, service) that you can "train" in more vigorously. What steps will you take to start this week? ([39:39])
4. Who in your life can serve as an accountability partner to help you see your spiritual blind spots? How will you approach them for this purpose? ([54:13])
5. Consider a recent challenge to your faith. How did you persevere, and what can you learn from that experience to apply in future challenges? ([55:47])
6. How can you be an example of love and faith in your community, especially to those who may not know Christ? ([46:47])
7. Reflect on the concept of "breaking a sweat for Jesus." What specific actions can you take this week to exercise your faith more vigorously? ([59:00])
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Training for Eternal Impact
Training in godliness is essential for both present and eternal life. Just as athletes train rigorously for their physical goals, we are called to exercise vigorously in our spiritual lives. This involves consistent engagement with scripture, prayer, and spiritual disciplines. Training in godliness holds value for both the present life and the life to come, making it essential for our eternal impact. [39:39]
1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV): "For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
Reflection: What specific spiritual discipline can you commit to practicing daily this week to enhance your spiritual training?
Day 2: Reflecting Christ in Every Aspect
Paul’s instruction to Timothy to set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity is a call for all believers. Our words and actions must reflect Christ, and we must be diligent in our spiritual practices. This example is crucial as it influences those around us, drawing them closer to Jesus. [46:47]
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: In what ways can you be more intentional about reflecting Christ in your speech and actions today?
Day 3: Full-Time Followers of Christ
There are no off days for Christians. We are called to be full-time followers of Christ, dedicating all our hours to knowing Him more and making Him known. This consistent engagement with our faith ensures that we do not neglect the gifts God has given us and that we continue to grow in godliness. [52:40]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: How can you incorporate your faith into your daily routine, ensuring that every action and decision reflects your commitment to Christ?
Day 4: Steadfastness with Eternal Implications
Our steadfastness in life and doctrine is vital because it affects not only our salvation but also the salvation of those who observe our lives. We must remain committed to our faith, knowing that our perseverance has eternal implications for ourselves and those we love. [55:47]
Hebrews 10:23-24 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works."
Reflection: Who in your life is observing your faith journey, and how can your steadfastness positively impact their walk with Christ?
Day 5: Growing Together in Community
We all have blind spots in our spiritual lives that others can help us see. Surrounding ourselves with mentors, accountability groups, and a supportive church community allows us to receive constructive feedback and grow in our faith. This communal aspect of our faith journey is essential for our spiritual development. [54:13]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Who can you invite into your life to help you grow spiritually, and how can you be a source of support and accountability for them?
Quotes
1. "Because if we lose our focus on the things that are truly of eternal value we will divert our attention to things that have no value whatsoever and ultimately are fleeting. Because as Paul will tell us that we train in godliness for an eternal, eternal impact." [36:36] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul says to exercise vigorously to be godly by spending time in prayer and filling the spirit of God inside of you. Reading scripture meditating on God's truths realizing that God is continuously pouring out his truth to us." [40:13] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Training our bodies to do what we need it to do is a tool for a long physical life. We really do need to keep our bodies as in good a shape as we possibly can but he says training in godliness is the key to our life having an eternal impact which lasts far longer than any of our physical bodies will." [41:36] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We trust Christ with all that we have and our hope is in eternal life. Our hope in eternal life is in Jesus. It's in Christ because the Lord is the savior of all people. Paul says to those who believe they already know it and good news is is that to those who don't know it yet they still can know that good news." [42:09] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We have the responsibility as followers of Christ to know who Jesus is and what that means for us and then spend time that exercise thing in proclaiming that through our testimony through our conversations and the way that we live our life." [43:33] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Our words matter the way that we speak to one another the way that we speak in the community the way that we speak as as believers into a world that needs to know Jesus matters are our words building people up are they drawing people closer to Christ our words matter." [47:02] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "How we love others matters are we stingy with our love are we like nope I don't know you so I can't love you just yet or I don't know you well enough or you know maybe as long as you know you fit a mold that I like or whatever or are we extravagant in our love are we willing to extend love first see the good in people and then take an opportunity to extend grace to them our love matters how we love matters." [48:11] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Our beliefs matter what we profess with our mouths needs to be how we what we actually believe and they need to be the truth of scripture and the truth of the church because when our beliefs our core beliefs and our and our words don't match up there's a disconnect there when our beliefs are one thing and our actions are another thing there's a disconnect there." [48:59] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We need people around us who will speak truth to us, who will say, that was wrong. You shouldn't have done that. We need people around us who will say, that's not going to be helpful for you in the long run, if you keep doing that. We need people like that in our life, because we are training in godliness for an eternal impact." [55:47] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Parents, your children are watching. They really are. I know this to be true. Because things that I've done, and things that I've said, have come back at me. And I'm like, you learned that from me. Grandparents, your grandkids are watching. They see you. They see what you do. They see how you live. What do they see?" [57:27] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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