1 & 2 Timothy and Titus
Discipleship and Leadership Lessons from the Pastoral Epistles
A Free 13-week E-Mail Bible Study

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Free E-mail Bible Study Bible study Humility: Disciple's Guide to a Humble Life


"St. Timothy" (5th Century), fresco, Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Rome. Photo by Richard Stracke. Larger image.

I've always loved the Pastoral Epistles -- 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus.. Paul's warmth encourages me, his exhortations to his protégés Timothy and Titus challenge me, his example of sacrificing all for the gospel humbles me. These thee epistles include:

  • A powerful doxology ("Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible ...")
  • Assurance of God's saving love ("who wants all men to be saved...")
  • Christ as the one Mediator
  • Guidelines for selecting church leaders
  • Strong exhortations to flee ungodliness and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace
  • A glance at the Blessed Hope of Christ's Return
  • Rebirth or regeneration by the Holy Spirit -- all by grace!
  • A declaration of faith in God's keeping power
  • A call to endure hardship
  • A warning to handle God's word as careful workmen
  • Advice in gently instructing opponents
  • A revelation of all Scripture as "God-breathed"
  • ... and much more
    •

    My mind keeps returning to Paul's last words:

    "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness ...." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

    You and I want to live our lives strongly and finish well! These letters teach us how and urge us towards godly living. Here is the outline of our 13-week study:

    • Preface
    • Introduction

    1 Timothy

    1. God's Grace and Calling (1 Timothy 1:1-20)
    2. Men and Women in God's Household (1 Timothy 2:1-15)
    3. Selecting Leaders in God's Household (1 Timothy 3:1-16; Titus 1:6-9)
    4. Setting a Godly Example (1 Timothy 4:1-16)
    5. Advice about Widows, Elders, and Slaves (1 Timothy 5:1-25; 6:1-2)
    6. Reject Greed, Pursue Godliness  (1 Timothy 6:3-21)

    Titus

    1. Teaching Christians the Godly Life (Titus 1:1-2:12)

    2. Christ's Return and Redemption (Titus 2:13-3:15)

    2 Timothy

    1. Be Neither Intimidated nor Ashamed (2 Timothy 1:1-17)
    2. Endure Hardship for Christ (2 Timothy 2:1-19)
    3. Fit for the Master's Use (2 Timothy 2:20-3:14a)
    4. Preachers, Teachers, and Holy Scripture (2 Timothy 3:14-4:5)
    5. I Have Fought the Good Fight (2 Timothy 4:6-22)

    Here's what people have said who have completed the study:

    "This study is so rich and deep to the extent that you don't want it to end ... a personal spiritual uplifting." -- O.M. Toriola

    "It is evident that plenty of research and critical thought goes into each lesson, but the lessons are written so that everyone can grasp the meaning." -- Jeff Hawley

    "Dr. Wilson does not tell the student what to believe. You don't have to agree, but you will find it thought provoking and it will lead you to better figure out what you do believe. A true teacher." -- E. M.

    "Renewed and refreshed me during a very difficult time." -- Janice Mozley

    "Enables me to benefit from the fruits without the vast amount of time required to research such a study." -- Rev. Paul Nash

     

    1&2 Timothy and Titus: Leadership and Discipleship Lessons from the Pastoral Epistles, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
    Available in paperback, PDF, and Kindle formats.

    I invite you to journey with me and thousands of brothers and sisters world-wide through a study of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. Here's how we'll study together.

    • Each Saturday I'll e-mail you the lesson for the week. Then you'll read the Bible passage and use my notes to help you understand it better.
    • You can respond to discussion questions using the Joyful Heart Bible Study Forum -- and read others' answers to reinforce your own understanding.
    • With each lesson you'll receive a link to this material in audio form. Some who learn better from hearing than from reading really appreciate this.
    • Then on Saturday, I'll send you the next week's lesson.

    Why don't you sign up right now -- and then encourage some of your friends to sign up and study along with you.

    Sign up now!

    To sign up, start by clicking on your e-mail frequency preference:

    You'll receive your first lesson the Friday after you sign up. There is no cost to participate in the study, though donations are encouraged so we can create more studies and reach more people.

    We respect your privacy and never sell, rent, or loan our lists. Please don't subscribe your friends; let them decide for themselves.

    Please don't sign up for more than one of my Bible studies at one time. There's no penalty, but each of them is pretty intensive. If you try to do too many studies at the same time without adequate reflection, you'll miss out on God speaking to you.

    1 & 2 Timothy and Titus: Discipleship and Leadership Lessons from the Pastoral Epistles

     

    Copyright © 2024, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.