Caring for the Needy

Caring for the Needy

1 Timothy 5:3-16

Instructions to 1st century church in Ephesus:

1. Families should provide for family members in need – vv4,7-8,16.

Contemporary application = _________________

2. The church should provide for godly, older widows who have no family – v5,9-10.

3. The church should not commit to ongoing provision for:

-younger widows – vv11-15 (v6)

-widows with family – v16

Contemporary application = A church's benevolence ministry entails ______________________ __________________________________.

-In what way has the plight of widows changed in our contemporary context compared to 1st century Ephesus? How does this affect our application of this text, if at all?

-When and how should "honor" of parents involve material and practical help?

-What does it look like to fix your hope on God?

-Who in your life would fall under your "own household" and therefore be your responsibility? In what ways can you plan now for their future welfare and support?

-How can the church help guard those in need in their vulnerability to life's pressures and temptations?

-How does having too much time on your hands lead to various kinds of temptations? What remedies are available to idleness?

-What criteria should a church employ when providing benevolence? How can benevolence be a vehicle for the Gospel? How can benevolence be harmful?

For further study: Dt 10:18; 14:29; 24:17-21; Ps 68:5; Lk 2:36-38; Jn 19:26-27; Acts 6:1-6; 2 Cor 8:9; Eph 6:2-3; 1 Tim 4:6; 2 Tim 3:6; Jam 1:27.