Since Paul knows Timothy so well, why do you think he opens both of these letters affirming so strongly that he is an apostle called by God?
Paul often refers to his story, before and after he came to Christ. If you were to share your faith story, what details would you include?
Why do you think false teaching was so prevalent in Timothy’s day? Do you think false teachers are present today?
How is Paul’s list of qualifications for elders and deacons similar to or different from the kinds of things we naturally look for in church leaders today?
How would you define “godliness” from your reading of 1-2 Timothy? How is it different than a set of legalistic rules?
How does the church today handle problems with sinful leaders? What can we learn from this biblical text about addressing problems in the church?
Timothy looked up to Paul as a spiritual mentor. Who has been a spiritual mentor in your own life? How did they pass on truth to you?
How can we guard the truths of our faith without becoming too rigid or narrow? Is it possible to defend the truth, while also being loving, gentle, winsome, and patient?