Bible Study: 1 Timothy 2

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Discuss

What can prevent you from praying for your sports friends?

For example, we don’t know what to pray for, we’re too busy, we don’t see the benefit, we don’t know where to start, it feels empty...the list can be endless. However, the root of these reasons can be a misunderstanding or failure to grasp who God is and His call on us to pray.

Read 1 Timothy 2:1-6

¹ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

What you need to know

Paul is giving Timothy, a young leader, instruction for how to lead the church in Ephesus. His first instruction is to pray.

In v. 3 what name does Paul use for God?
In v.5 how does Paul describe God and what does this mean?
What do you think it means to be made in the image of God?

Sum up

Why should we pray for sportspeople? Because God is both powerful and intimate. The names of God in this passage reflect the power of God to save us and the intimacy of God as He sends Jesus Christ as our mediator.

Re-read 1 Timothy 2:1-6

¹ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleasesGod our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

What you need to know

Paul is keen for Timothy to pray for ALL people, even those who are in authority over them who may persecute them. God can save ANYONE!

What does verse 1 teach us about how we should pray for our sports friends?
Describe in your own words the four things mentioned.
What is it that God wants us to pray for from verses 2 & 4?
Look at the repeated phrase ‘all people’; what is it emphasising?

Sum up

How should we pray? Verse 1 tells us with all kinds of prayers, petitions (requests), intercessions (on behalf of others) and thanksgiving. Is this how you pray for your sports friends? Pray that we would live godly lives among them and that they would be saved.

What does this mean for us?

It is often easier to talk about praying rather than actually doing it! Pray now for:

the wider sports world - that the Lord would raise up more Christians indifferent sports
your sport - thank Him for your sport
your club/team - ‘intercede’ on behalf of your team that God would
save each of them
your sports friends – name them before God

Go Deeper

All Bible quotations are taken with permission from the NIV:
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Discuss

What can prevent you from praying for your sports friends?

Read 1 Timothy 2:1-6

What you need to know

Sum up

Re-read 1 Timothy 2:1-6

What you need to know

Sum up

What does this mean for us?

Go Deeper

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