1 Timothy 1:3-7

We live in a land where truth is subjective, individualized, and culturally conditioned. That same troubling thinking had invaded the churches led by Timothy and Titus, so Paul's pastoral letters to them focus on the objective and universal truth revealed in Jesus.

The first of Paul’s three “pastoral epistles,” 1 Timothy focuses on the church as a “pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). In the letter, Paul commands Timothy to “guard the deposit” (1 Timothy 6:20) by combatting false teachers, protecting the flock of Christ, and structuring the church well. 1 Timothy shows us the incredible privilege of being in God’s church and the high calling of leading it.

When you do anything long enough, you might find that you've forgotten the reason you started in the first place. Unfortunately, we're susceptible to taking even the most important things in our lives for granted. Your Christian community shouldn't become one of those things. Here's why...

These readings from Scripture Union Peninsular Malaysia are written from the thoughts and insights of Asian writers. Paul lays down the priorities and principles of leadership in the church, and for dealing with practical matters in church life. He emphasises the personal life and example of the leader, not methods or techniques, with himself as the role-model.