Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Travis’s Message, November 6, 2022 1 Timothy 4:6-16
Train Yourself in Godliness

Introduction: In 1 Timothy 4:6-16, Paul tells Timothy how to live his life to set an example for the church, and these instructions help us, too.

1.

Be a Good Servant. (4:6-7a)

In pointing out these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have been following. But stay away from worthless stories that are typical of old women.

Timothy is to lay before the church the instructions Paul has given. To do this, Timothy needed to: • Be nourished by the words of the faith and of sound doctrine;
• Stay away from false and frivolous teaching.

Timothy’s ministry needed to be founded upon and fueled by the truth of the gospel, and so does ours.

Father, please cause our ministries always to be founded upon and fueled by the truth. Help us to be good servants of Christ Jesus!

Focus on Godliness. (4:7b-9)

Rather train yourself for godliness; 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. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.

Godliness is the true knowledge of God lived out in observable ways, allowing our beliefs to dictate our behavior. Paul speaks of training yourself for godliness because it is a long-term process of effort.

Father, please help us focus on godliness – on knowing You and living for You day by day.

Give It Your All. (4:10)

For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

What we do: we labor, putting all our energy into becoming godly.
Why we do it: because we have put our hope in the living God, the Savior of those who believe.

Lord, You gave Your life to give us hope; please help us to give our all for You!

Fulfill Your Ministry. (4:11-16)

Command and teach these things... set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity... devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have... Practice these things, immerse yourself in them... Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

The way we conduct ourselves matters, individually and as a church. We need to keep on keeping on, seeking God and seeking godliness.

Father, please make us an example for others to follow. Use us to help accomplish Your mission!