Timothy- Meaningless Debates

Every study I try to write a weekly letter to my girls in the notes portion of our #LoveGodGreatly journals. For me, it’s a way of going back over what God taught me in His Word the previous week, as well as an exercise in summarizing what I learned and what I want to pass on to my girls. Reading through 1st & 2nd Timothy – letters written by Paul to his younger spiritual son, Timothy – reminds me of the type of letters I write to my girls. Like Paul, I first try to share words of love and encouragement with them as I reflect on the verses from the previous week. I share some of the wisdom I’ve learned over the years and remind them that they are never alone on their journeys of faith.

My heart of love and my desire to pass on wisdom and instruction to my girls is the same as the love and desire Paul had for Timothy when he wrote these letters thousands of years ago.

As we begin our study on the books of 1st & 2nd Timothy, pay attention to the purpose and audience of these letters. Written by Paul, a spiritual father to the young Timothy, these letters were written to encourage him, build him up, teach him, instruct him, and give him hope. 1st & 2nd Timothy are books filled with powerful insight on how to live in the light of the gospel. In these letters, you will witness the tenderness of Paul’s words to the younger man. You’ll see the warnings, advice, and encouragement Paul gives to Timothy… the same advice that he gives us today.

It’s important to see the culture in which Timothy found himself leading his struggling church. Ephesus was one of the major cities in the Roman empire. Like New York, San Francisco, or Washington DC, Ephesus was a center for commerce, politics, and various pagan religions.

It was also a city plagued with false teachers.

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work- which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.- 1 Timothy 1:3-6

One of the first warnings Paul gives Timothy is to keep the main thing the main thing. In other words, focus on the Good News of salvation which can only be found in Jesus Christ. How many times have we found ourselves in debates or pointiness theological arguments which don’t have any purpose and are more opinion or speculation than truth? These types of debates cause division and strife rather than faith and love in God. Paul warns Timothy to not get involved in these meaningless debates that lead people astray instead of bringing them to Jesus. Rather, Paul directs Timothy back to Truth; back to the purpose and light of the gospel. He directs Timothy back to love that comes from a pure heart and sincere faith.

And thousands of years later, he directs us back as well.

Stay focused on what truly matters in this life. Don’t get sidetracked in divisive conversations that Satan can use to get us off track. We have a mission here: people are hurting and need to know the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must make the most of each day.

Sweet friends, let’s heed the words of Paul and be women so focused on the gospel and Jesus’ saving grace that the temptation to indulge in pointless, fruitless debates no longer distracts us. May we be women on a mission, laser focused on one goal: to live our lives for God’s glory. Lives that are characterized by Christ’s love. Lives intentionally seeking only one thing… to make Him known.

My prayer for us is this: that we will love well from pure hearts, good consciences, and sincere faith.

There is a world dying to know more about the hope we carry in our hearts. Let’s choose to be a light in a dark world and not be tempted to indulge in meaningless debates that waste our time and don’t glorify God. Sometimes instead of engaging in meaningless debates, we need to let our lives speak louder than our words. People can’t argue with changed lives.

Remember: you are loved, you are treasured, and you have a mission. Let’s do this!

 

Love God Greatly!

Angela

Let’s study God’s Word together!

This blog post is part of 1 & 2 Timothy series. Learn more about this study and join us!
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Angela Perritt

Angela Perritt is the founder and director of LoveGodGreatly.com, a nonprofit online Bible study ministry reaching thousands of women in over two hundred countries around the world with God’s Word through their translated Bible studies. She and her husband live in Dallas, Texas with their three daughters. Angela is passionate about God’s Word and believes one woman in God’s Word can change a family, community and ultimately a nation. Her greatest joy is to encourage her children and others to love God greatly with their lives one day at a time. You can connect with her on Instagram.
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0 Responses

  1. I am joining you in this study from Windhoek, Namibia.
    Thank you so much for this! My prayer is that He magnified His glory in your ministry.

    3. I am joining in from Newton, NC
      Spending time in His Word gives me peace and helps me grow closer to Him each day. My desire is to have more of Him and less of me.

    1. Nigeria!!! Am a Nigerian too darling. And I also stay in Nigeria. Am so so excited. We should meet up dear. This is my facebook name Ebos Aifuobhokhan. I would love to see a request from you. Welcome honey.

    2. Nigeria!!! Am a Nigerian and I stay in Nigeria too dear. Great meeting you here. We should meet up. This is my facebook name Ebos Aifuobhokhan. It would be lovely to meet you. Much love.

  4. Joining from England, just waiting for my journal to arrive from Amazon, so glad that they are available from Amazon uk!

    1. Welcome dear sister. We are praying for all of you in Houston. God is in control. Delighted to have you.

  6. There s a group of us joining you from the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Looking forward to the study, and great to know we re studying alongside ladies from across the globe x

    2. Oh dear Lucy. Great to have you with us and your ladies too. It’s so lovely. God bless you.

    1. Louise so glad you decided to join us! I love these studies and the community of great women. I absolutely fell in love with England when I visited between my junior and senior years of high school and want to go back! You will absolutely love this study! Welcome and we are so glad you are with us!

    1. Erin, thank you for joining us! You will love this study. It’s day one and I can’t wait to see what I am going to learn.

    1. Michelle, welcome and thank you for joining us! We are so glad you have!

    1. MaryAnne, welcome and we are so glad you are joining us! I live in Texas about 15 minutes from me is a town named Shelbyville. Have a great day!

    2. MaryAnn we are so glad you are joining us! Welcome! I live in Texas and we have a Shelbyville here, it is about 15 minutes north of where I live. Have a blessed day.

    1. Welcome! We are so glad you are joining us! I went to college with a girl from Gilmer. Have a blessed day!

      1. Hiya Diane. 🙂

        I am from Lawrence, Ks. too. 🙂 Welcome! Glad to see a friend here. I just started Soaping again. Did a couple of other bible studies a while back with these ladies. Awesome!!

        Joy Chiasson

    1. Sherry thank you for joining us. I am not sure about the video, but I’ll ask. We are so glad you are here sharing with us.

    2. Sherry, just received word that they are taking a break from the videos for this study.

  16. Upstate NY, Binghamton area is sending prayers to our sisters/brothers in Christ who are in the midst of Harvey. May God watch over you and keep you safe and dry.

    1. Candy welcome and we thank you!! From this Texan who is getting the rain aftermaths from Harvey all prayers are appreciated. They just called for no school for us today. WE are so glad that you are joining us for this study.

  18. Hello I’m joining you from southern California. This is my umpteenth time facilitating a group and the studies just get better and better. I love Angela’s idea of writing to her girls in the notes section of the journal.

    1. Oh dear! Am excited how God is using you to reach women all over the world. It is such a great testimony. Enjoy this study.

    2. Hi I’m joining from Las Vegas, NV. When you say that Angela puts notes to her girls in the journal. Does “her girls” refer to US girls joining in the studies or some other girls? I hope thats not a dumb question. I’m brand new and am just getting a feel for the site. So far LOVING IT!

  19. Blessed to be doing another study with LGG from the lovely lowcountry of South Carolina, Bluffton! Prayers for all in Texas who are going through the hurricane…we did last year but were spared any devastating damage. Those on Hilton Head Island and other shore areas near us were not. Heartbreaking! The best thing is that no lives were lost! Praise the Lord!

    1. Dear Pat, I say a big Amen to your prayers. We know God is in control. Blessings dear.

  20. I believe Satan is having a great time right now confusing the very meaning of “gospel”, so that people, who are confused, don’t even share the gospel because they don’t even know what it is exactly. So many think that works somehow ties into salvation, either works to get saved OR works to prove that one is saved. Salvation is found in Christ alone through faith alone apart from works so that no one may boast. Christ did all the “work” on the cross. All we must “do” is believe in Him (Christ) to be saved. It’s so simple even a child can understand it. Yet Satan comes and muddles it all up and brings confusion and doubt.

    1. Darling, it is sad but we thank God He has given us the ability and knowledge like Timothy to defend the Gospel. God help us dears.

    1. Welcome Kim. Delighted to have you with us. I know you will enjoy the study

  22. I am joining for a small town in the Southern Tier of NY Sate, Deposit. This is timely as I return to school next week. I am a K-12 school librarian. It is so very easy to get “caught up” in meaningless talk and gossip and this will give me focus to stay clear and focus of truth.

    1. God be praised for the timing. Glad you are studying with us. Enjoy the study dear.

  24. I am joining from Henderson Nevada. I look forward to each study as they have become the guide for my morning prayer and meditation. In fact during times in between sessions, I go back and redo previous studies.

    2. Hi Glenda! I live in Las Vegas! So nice to see someone from my neighborhood on here as well. This is my first study. I’m super excited about! 🙂

  25. Good morning sweet sisters. I am joining you from Alabama.. Excited to see all that God has for us through the course of this study..

    1. Welcome darling. I read a novel once about Alabama and I love it. Enjoy the study dear.

  28. I’m joining from Minneapolis, MN! I love the global sisterhood on this site!! God bless you all as you study and dig into God’s word these next couple of weeks. I will be praying for us all. 🙂

    1. Hi Jonna! One thing I have always loved about these studies is how we all come together to pray for and lift each other up! God is good!
      Mondee~LGG Encourager

    1. Welcome Anne! Australia is on my bucket list to visit someday! So glad to have you joining us!
      Mondee~LGG Encourager

    1. So glad to have you join us Angie! I love how God pulled you here to get “more”! His timing is perfect?
      Mondee ~LGG Encourager

  31. As Jonna said above, “I love the global sisterhood on this site!” I’m joining from Iowa, sometimes Arizona, and this session Denmark where my first grandbaby will be born in a few weeks. Yay! PTL!

    1. Welcome Deb! How exciting on your grand baby! So glad to have you join us!
      Mondee ~LGG Encourager

  32. I’m in Chandler, Arizona. Looking forward to another wonderful study with LGG!!! have a blessed day!

    1. Hello Pattie dear. Yes it will be. Just type Love God Greatly in You Version and a lost of all our studies would come up. I hope this helps. Bless you dear.

  34. Joining y’all from Wyoming. Just a small town with a little over 500 people. So thankful for a larger community of sisters in Christ online. <3

    1. Hello Karri. How I would love a small town like that. Welcome to another study. Receive the fullness of His grace as you study.

  35. I am joining you from Houston. Even in the midst of the storm and floods we know who is in control! Praying for everyone’s safety during this time.

    1. Hello Jennifer, God is keeping all of you safe. We are praying for all of you. Much love dear.

  36. I am joining from Oakland MD.
    We have a group of 10 studying this time! Love these studies!
    Prayers for Texas!
    Love the new guide format as well!

    1. Hello dear. And welcome. The journal yeah? It’s a beauty. Enjoy the study

    1. Welcome Bethany! I always think there can’t be a better study than whichever one I’m doing I’m always wrong! Each one touches our lives in different ways! So glad to have you with us!
      Mondee~LGG Encourager

    1. Hi Tina! So glad to have you join us for the study! I’m loving how we are all from every corner of the world but all coming together to dig into Gods word!
      Mondee~LGG Encourager

  39. I’m joining you all from a very small town in Oklahoma! ? I am beyond excited for this study and I’m even more excited to see what God is going to reveal to me (and all of us) through this study! I pray that you all have a great week of studying!?

  40. I am joining from Elgin, Texas – just east of Austin. This is my first Love God greatly study.

  41. Hi ladies, I’m joining you from hot Sacramento, CA. It’s going to be 108° here today. Today’s blog was POWERFUL! Thanks LGG for helping me be a woman on mission ?

    1. Oh dear Bree, your comment warms my heart. Glad to have you here. Enjoy the study

  43. Hi Ladies, Pray you had a fun and restorative Summer. Greetings from California’s central coast, Watsonville. Guess the rubber did not hit the road in Paul and Timothy’s time, but the sandals did and this should be a great study. PS Let us continue in prayer for Texas storm victims. ??????

  44. I’m joining from Somerville, New Jersey! Very excited to be on this journey!

  45. I am a part of this wonderful group from Gruver, Texas. So looking forward to hearing God’s voice through His Word and LGG!

  46. Joining you from Blouberg Cape Town South Africa . I am facilitating a group of ladies mainly from USA ,including Switzerland and Nigeria .?

  47. Joining from Columbus, Ohio. Love these studies, turned to them after a divorce and long for them when one is not in session.

  48. Renae from Vernon, BC, canada

    Really looking forward to getting into Timothy! Been waiting for today. ☺

  49. I am joining from Yukon, Oklahoma! Please, can you tell me what the letters SOAP stand for?

  50. Hi I’m Christine from Northern Ireland and I have been doing these studies for a few months now. I always look forward to then and find them a blessing. God bless you all at LGG x

  52. I am Patty joining from Lubbock, Texas. This is my first time. I am looking forward to learning together with my “sisters” from all over the world.

  53. Joining from Lake Lure, NC. This is my first time doing a study with you. I’m excited.

    1. Awesome glad you found love God greatly. I know you will enjoy it. Been hooked a long time . Love the peace and understanding that I get from studying his word.

  54. I am joining from Washington DC. It is a very timely discussion topic and I am eager to dive in!

  55. I am joining from Dubai! I’m doing this study through FB with a group of sisters in Christ from all over.

  56. I am joining this study from Selma, Alabama. Looking forward so much to this study, and hoping to gain so much insight into Paul and Timothy.

  57. Hi there! I’m joining from Northwest Arkansas & this is my very first bible study! I’m so very excited!!

    1. Hi Tammy! I’m down the road from you in the River Valley. You will love LGG! I have done many of these. The SOAP method and the way the verses are laid out are great. Very easy tools to use. I use some cute blank notebook/journals and you will have them full in no time! Diving into the word is the best time of the day.

  58. Hi! I’m Shelly and I am joining you from Las Vegas, NV! I’m still checking out the site and learning my way around. Also trying to figure out what a “SOAP” is. 🙂

    1. SOAP is explained in the study book. I highly recommend getting the book. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

      1. Thank you Janelle. After a little more poking around on the site I figured it out. When I am in a position to start buying the study guides, I will love to do it. For now I have my own notebook that I’m beginning to write my SOAP and personal thoughts in each day. Again, thank you for replying. God bless. 🙂

  60. Hi. I’m Marina and I’m thrilled to be joining you all the way from the Outer Hebrides in the North West of Scotland x

  61. I am so glad I found this ministry! I am loving everything about it so far and have recommended it to all that are in my Instagram community, hungry to know God more through His Word.
    This is my first time to join you and I am from a little bitty town just east of Memphis, TN! May God bless you all.

    Amy Hale

  62. Hi, I am Debbie and joining you from a small town in Bavaria, Germany. The LGG studys are a great blessing for me!!

  63. Joining from South Dakota!! I have been searching for a study like this for a couple years now. LGG is the perfect fit into my devotional life. Thank you all and keep up your good work!!!

  65. Thank you so much for this encouragement. I was involved in a discussion with church employees just 2 days ago. They were debating the theory of “election”. They all felt that the debate was healthy even though no consensus could be reached. We were advised by the pastor that some things were a mystery as our God is too great for us to understand. All true, but I was searching for exactly the words in your blog. Let’s keep the main thing the main thing. I want to be a woman so focused on Jesus’ love and saving grace that nothing can distract me from being a loving fervent follower. You have up lifted me. Thank you!

  67. I’m from Clayton, NC. And I’m so encouraged and excited to see ladies from all over the US and the world studying God’s word, trying to grow closer to Him and living their lives for His glory!

  69. I have a question. When I’m looking at the reading plan it says SOAP. What is SOAP?

    1. Hi Shelia! Look at the very top of this page. There is a box for you to click on that says “How to SOAP”. I found it extremely helpful. I too did not see it at first look. 🙂 I hope this helps.

  71. I am joining from Greenville, NC. So excited to be here and see sisters around the world studying together!

  72. Hi! I’m Katie joining in from Blanchester, Ohio! This is my third LGG study and I’m so thankful for your ministry. Each study has been such a blessing.

  74. Hi! I’m joining from Middlefield OH and so look forward to each and every study! And you have NO idea how well-timed your words of wisdom were from Monday’s blog post! We had a family debate that turned a little rough last week. I’m meeting with two of my family members to talk things thru tonight (please pray! My stomach is in knots!). One made a profession of faith at one point but isn’t following Christ right now, the other hasn’t ever come to Christ, so Monday’s post was a fantastic reminder to go in love, not get into meaningless debates but just show Christ in my responses! Thank you, ladies! If I could hug you all, I would 🙂

  76. Hey. I am Monica and I from a small town outside of Portland, Oregon.

    I am so grateful for this wonderful sweet community. I have been feeling pretty isolated and alone. I am so happy that God prompted my heart to find an app for devotions and here I have found something great.

  77. Joining from MD. So glad for this encouragement of truth each day. Thank you for all you do to keep this study running! I have been doing studies since this ministry went by a different name and the international growth is so humbling!

  78. Morning, I am from Beaverton Oregon. This is my first study with this group. Looking forward to it!

  80. Joining from Kyiv, Ukraine.

    Love these studies — I’ve done several. Keeps me accountable and in the Word.

    I also love the idea of writing letters to our children — or probably in my case to my grandchildren — each week summarizing what God has taught us!

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