Pastor's Bible Study

Between the two main sections of the book there are three verses that form a kind of pivot point where Paul pivots from one section to another. This link is very intriguing. It in essence teaches us that the church is to display the truth of God’s Word and bear witness to the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Between the two main sections of the book there are three verses that form a kind of pivot point where Paul pivots from one section to another. This link is very intriguing. It in essence teaches us that the church is to display the truth of God’s Word and bear witness to the person and work of Jesus Christ.

After Paul speaks about the qualities of a man necessary to fill the office of pastor, he turns his attention to the qualities of a man necessary to fill the office of deacon. Of the offices in the church, the most Christ-like is deacon. This is why the qualifications are stringent. Not everyone has what it takes to fill the office of deacon.

After Paul speaks about the qualities of a man necessary to fill the office of pastor, he turns his attention to the qualities of a man necessary to fill the office of deacon. Of the offices in the church, the most Christ-like is deacon. This is why the qualifications are stringent. Not everyone has what it takes to fill the office of deacon.

To say that the Bible teaches that all Christians must abstain from drinking wine would not be accurate. The Bible does not clearly teach against a Christian partaking of alcohol. There is no command in the Bible to not drink, but there is also no command to drink. There is liberty. However, just because you have liberty to do something doesn’t mean you have to. Exercising liberty (freedom) means...

To say that the Bible teaches that all Christians must abstain from drinking wine would not be accurate. The Bible does not clearly teach against a Christian partaking of alcohol. There is no command in the Bible to not drink, but there is also no command to drink. There is liberty. However, just because you have liberty to do something doesn’t mean you have to. Exercising liberty (freedom) means...

Church leaders holding the office of pastor (bishop, elder) should be drawn from men who are spiritually mature. Paul in this section of Scripture gives Timothy of list of characteristics that could help the church determine if a man was spiritually mature and qualified to lead in the office of pastor.

Church leaders holding the office of pastor (bishop, elder) should be drawn from men who are spiritually mature. Paul in this section of Scripture gives Timothy of list of characteristics that could help the church determine if a man was spiritually mature and qualified to lead in the office of pastor.

Paul wrote these words to a male-dominated culture. As we read them, we need to understand that he wrote them not to limit women, but reassure them of the liberty they have. When we look at this passage of scripture through the lens of our American culture we can the see word "limited" stamped on it. But if we look at this passage of scripture clearly with no cultural bias, we see the word "libert...

Paul wrote these words to a male-dominated culture. As we read them, we need to understand that he wrote them not to limit women, but reassure them of the liberty they have. When we look at this passage of scripture through the lens of our American culture we can the see word "limited" stamped on it. But if we look at this passage of scripture clearly with no cultural bias, we see the word "libert...

Paul exhorts Timothy and the church at Ephesus to keep first things first, i.e. focus on the top priority. The top priority in ministry and for ministry is prayer. We would do well to heed Paul's exhortation to pray first and to pray for all people and their salvation. That kind of praying can change the world, our world, and our lives too.

Paul exhorts Timothy and the church at Ephesus to keep first things first, i.e. focus on the top priority. The top priority in ministry and for ministry is prayer. We would do well to heed Paul's exhortation to pray first and to pray for all people and their salvation. That kind of praying can change the world, our world, and our lives too.

Paul encourages Timothy by reminding him the he is the recipient of God's mercy.

Paul encourages Timothy by reminding him the he is the recipient of God's mercy.

Paul writes a letter to young Timothy (Paul's protégé) and encourages him pastor to pastor. Paul knows that Timothy is in a hard place to lead a church. In the opening verses, Paul lays out four directives for Timothy to follow. These things are good for us today also. Timothy was to 1) stick to the task, 2) speak the truth, 3) set his sights on the goal of ministry, which is love, and 4) support...

Paul writes a letter to young Timothy (Paul's protégé) and encourages him pastor to pastor. Paul knows that Timothy is in a hard place to lead a church. In the opening verses, Paul lays out four directives for Timothy to follow. These things are good for us today also. Timothy was to 1) stick to the task, 2) speak the truth, 3) set his sights on the goal of ministry, which is love, and 4) support...

The letter Paul wrote to Philemon shares with us the beautiful and moving story of friendship and forgiveness, release and redemption. We really see to very applicable truths: 1) Jesus did for us what Paul did for Onesimus. We've been forgiven for the sake of Jesus just like Philemon forgave Onesimus for the sake of Paul. 2) We can forgive others because we've been forgiven.

The letter Paul wrote to Philemon shares with us the beautiful and moving story of friendship and forgiveness, release and redemption. We really see to very applicable truths: 1) Jesus did for us what Paul did for Onesimus. We've been forgiven for the sake of Jesus just like Philemon forgave Onesimus for the sake of Paul. 2) We can forgive others because we've been forgiven.

As Paul wraps up his letter to the Colossians, he takes time to mention and appreciate several friends in the ministry that have partnered with him and ministered to him during his imprisonment. A friend provides three things vital for a quality life. Friends provide companionship, without which we’d be lonely and isolated. They provide comfort – a pat on the back, a shoulder to cry on, and kind w...

As Paul wraps up his letter to the Colossians, he takes time to mention and appreciate several friends in the ministry that have partnered with him and ministered to him during his imprisonment. A friend provides three things vital for a quality life. Friends provide companionship, without which we’d be lonely and isolated. They provide comfort – a pat on the back, a shoulder to cry on, and kind w...

In the text, Paul addresses both dimensions of our speech, the vertical and horizontal planes. Our vertical speech is directed to God. Our horizontal speech is directed to other people. And Paul points out that one of the reasons what we say on the horizontal plane is so important is because we say it to those who are lost and don’t have a vertical relationship with God. Our horizontal speech can...

In the text, Paul addresses both dimensions of our speech, the vertical and horizontal planes. Our vertical speech is directed to God. Our horizontal speech is directed to other people. And Paul points out that one of the reasons what we say on the horizontal plane is so important is because we say it to those who are lost and don’t have a vertical relationship with God. Our horizontal speech can...

Although this passage refers to servants, or slaves, and masters, or slave owners, the principles taught here certainly apply to the employee/employer relationship. In this lesson we will look at the both the original context of this passage and how it applies in our modern day work life. What Paul has to say speaks directly to the dignity of work, our work ethic, and how we treat workers with fai...

Although this passage refers to servants, or slaves, and masters, or slave owners, the principles taught here certainly apply to the employee/employer relationship. In this lesson we will look at the both the original context of this passage and how it applies in our modern day work life. What Paul has to say speaks directly to the dignity of work, our work ethic, and how we treat workers with fai...

When Christ is our life, His peace will be the decisive factor in what we think and feel. And the truth of His Word will saturate everything we say and do. By default then Christ as our life will also impact our homes, marriages, families, etc. In this text, Paul will deal with the home, husbands, wives, parents, and children. As with all things that God created, God has a divine design for the Ho...