Bible Study Guide for 1 Timothy 5:1-6:2 / Conduct in God's Household

Horton Road Church of Christ / Spring 2010

1. What instructions does Paul give to help us relate to each other (1-2)?

2. Paul provides extended instructions regarding widows and the church (5:3-16).
What do you find striking in these instructions?

3. Which widows should be properly recognized (3)?

4. What about widows with family (4)? Why should their children and families take
care of them?

5. What rules does Paul provide to guide the church's response to widows and to the
widows themselves (6-8)?

6. How does a widow gain admittance to the list (9-10)? What about widows who do
not attain these standards?

7. Why should younger widows not be added to the list? What does Paul advise for
them (11-15)?

8. What is the purpose of the list (16)?

9. What are two tasks elders should be responsible for (17)? How should they be
appreciated by the church for these (17-18)?

10. What does "double honor" mean? In the context of household conduct, what does
"direct[ing] the affairs of the church" (17) mean?

11. How does one go about accusing an elder of something (19)? Does this mean that
if you are the only witness to a sin by an elder that you should do nothing?

12. What should a minister or a church do with elders who are sinning (20)? For what
purpose? Does Paul teach that these elders should resign?

13. What principles should ministers and churches use when dealing with elders (21)?

14. What does the laying on of hands refer to (22)? How could appointing leaders lead
to a "share in the sins of others" (22)? How should Timothy, ministers, and churches
remain pure in this? How does 5:24-25 apply to 5:22?

15. Should we understand 6:1-2 literally? Why or why not? What is the end result Paul
desires from those who live out this teaching?

© Jeremy Hoover / www.jeremyhoover.com / jeremy@jeremyhoover.com