Warning Against False Teachers (1 Timothy 1:3-7)

What would cause Paul to trust Timothy with the church in Ephesus?

Why should Timothy charge men not to teach a different doctrine?

• From where did Timothy get his authority to “charge” men not to teach a different gospel?
• These men should not teach “any different doctrine.” Is there really a “different doctrine?”
• Paul didn’t want these men teaching a doctrine different from the one he had proclaimed. Might jealousy have played a role in Paul’s statement? Why or why not? How do we know that Paul was preaching the correct doctrine?

These false teachers spent their time in matters which made no eternal difference.

• Is there a danger in men spending their time today debating inconsequential matters?
• What might be some examples of such inconsequential matters?

When are speculations evil? How might speculations lead someone away from the truth of the gospel?

What is the stewardship which comes from God by faith? How does this stewardship come by faith?

In what way(s) does love come from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith?

• What are some of the characteristics of such love?
• Is it possible to have love which comes from an impure heart and an evil conscience and an insincere faith? Why or why not? What might such a love look like?
• How can a person have a pure heart? Why is it difficult to have a pure heart in the modern world? Once our hearts have been made pure, how can we keep them pure?
• How can a person have a good conscience? What steps can you take to have a good conscience?
• Is it always safe to let conscience be your guide? Why or why not? Support your answer with examples.
• How can a person have a sincere faith? From where does a sincere faith come? What steps are you taking to develop a sincere faith?

How can swerving from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith lead people to wander away into vain discussion?

Why would people who do not understand the things about which they make assertions desire to be teachers of the law?

• If we’re under grace instead of law, why would anyone be teaching law anyway?
• How come people would not understand the law?