Off the Shelf Sunday School--1 Timothy

Care for the Needy in the Church (5:1-16)

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. As for young widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

1.     Christian leaders must treat their fellow Christians with respect, regardless of their age or sex. Paul tells Timothy to not speak harshly to older men, but to encourage them and treat them like he would his father. Speak the truth but do it in love for the benefit of others. Speaking harshly may be truthful, and it may make you feel better. However, your anger generally speaks louder than what you are saying.

2.     Paul speaks extensively about the proper care of widows in the church. Widows frequently were left without the means to support themselves. The church should support widows, if they have no children, grandchildren or other family members that can do so.  

3.     The reference to widows who live for pleasure is not clear, but Paul may be referring to those widows who used prostitution to support themselves. These women should not have to engage in this evil in order to live.  It is a disgrace to the church if they do not help fellow Christians in distress. How does your church help believers in need?

4.     Widows who are supported by the church must have a good reputation for faithful service to their family and the church. They must not be lazy, gossips or busybodies. Widows supported by the church must not be idle and cause trouble. Widows who are supported by the church, must continue to do good works that bring honor to Jesus and the good reputation of the church.

5.     Paul advises young widows to remarry rather than be content to be supported by the church. The reference to breaking a pledge by remarrying is unclear, but it may be that widows supported by the church may have taken a vow to remain single.

6.     Hospitality and charity towards those in need have historically been ministries performed by the church. These acts of mercy show the love of Jesus and can draw people to become Christians. Christian disaster relief organizations, orphanages, soup kitchens, homeless and single women shelters are examples. Can you think of some others? How do these ministries honor Jesus and show how being a Christian changes people in a way that attracts others? How have government programs replaced Christian organizations in caring for the needy? What effect does this have on spreading the gospel?