Instructions for Slaves (1 Timothy 6:1-2a)
Does the Bible condone slavery? How could the Creator of all ever condone one man owning another? Why did Paul write instructions for slaves to obey their masters? Why not tell them to seek their freedom?
How could slaves regard their own masters with “all honor?” What if a slave had an evil master? Should that evil master still be considered worthy of all honor? Do you think it might have been easier to honor some masters than others? Why or why not?
What are some things slaves might have done to show that they regarded their own masters as worthy of all honor?
How was slavery a “yoke?”
In what way(s) would a slave’s refusing to honor his master cause the name of God and the teaching to be reviled? Are there things you and I can do to cause the name of God and the teaching to be reviled? What might some of those things be? How can we keep the name of God and the teaching to be reviled?
Why might a slave be disrespectful to a believing master?
In what way(s) would a believing slave show that he worked harder for a believing brother?
How could a slave consider his believing master “beloved?”