The Coming Apostasy1 Timothy 4:1-10

Apolo Ohno

Do you know someone who has been very active in our class and church but has

seemed to be slipping away over the last few days,

weeks or months?

What could we do to encourage them to

make a fresh commitment to Christ?

Are you willing to make a new

commitment to “train yourself in

godliness?”

How will you do that?

DISCUSSION GUIDE

1. What does the Spirit say will happen to some in the latter times? (1 Timothy 4:1)

They will abandon their faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by

demons.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

2. How did Paul describe the troublemakers in the church at Ephesus? (1 Timothy 4:2)

He called them “hypocritical liars.”

DISCUSSION GUIDE

3. What did he mean when he said that their “consciences have been seared as with a hot iron”? (1 Timothy 4:2)

DISCUSSION GUIDE

4. What did the hypocritical liars counsel people to do? (1 Timothy 4:3)

The hypocritical liars forbid people to marry and insist that they abstain from

certain foods.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

5. Why are these teachings false and hypocritical? (1 Timothy 4:3-4)

These things are good because God created them.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

6. According to Paul, how should Timothy combat these teachings? (1 Timothy 4:6)

Bring these things to the attention of the brothers because you will be following

the truths of the faith that you have been taught.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

7. What did Paul instruct Timothy to avoid? (1 Timothy 4:7)

He should avoid “godless myths and old wives tales”.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

8. What should Timothy do instead? (1 Timothy 4:7)

He should train himself to be godly.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

9. The Greek word translated “train yourself” in verse 7 is “gumnazo.” This is where we get our word “gymnasium.” How is “training yourself to be godly” like working out in a gym?

DISCUSSION GUIDE

10. How does training in godliness differ from the asceticism

promoted by the hypocritical liars?

DISCUSSION GUIDE

11. How does physical training differ from training in godliness? (1 Timothy 4:8)

Physical training has some value (related to this life); training in godliness has value both in this life and in the life to

come.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

12. Why do some people spend so much time and effort in physical training (like training to run a

marathon) and neglect “training in godliness?”

DISCUSSION GUIDE

13. According to Paul, what is a trustworthy saying? (1 Timothy 4:9-10)

Put your hope in the living God.