Hello and welcome to the book of 1 Timothy! And that's about where my excitement ends for this letter. I fully admit that my hatred for Paul has really gone done through this journey with all of you but this letter is the black stain against my heart when it comes to Paul. This features not only condemning language against LGBT peoples but the infamous words suppressing women. Though I know that Paul isn't actually being oppressive (based on what we know of Paul) I know how generations of Christians have used this (still do, sadly) to pacify women or downplay their place in culture. So, I have little to say about todays reading that is positive, and that's okay, because I know that God (and yes Paul too) is greater than one verse, chapter, or even book of the Bible. With that said, let's look for the evidence of God here.
Scripture to Read
Audio Bible
Questions to Consider
What does this teach you about God, Paul, and our faith?
Paul urges believers to "pray for all people". Do you find this an easy or difficult thing to do?
What is your reaction to Paul's writing about women at the end?
the Bible Project does a wonderful job as always with breaking down the literary design and meaning of each section of the letter. They also do a really good job at giving proper context to what Paul meant in chapter 2 when he talked about women. So, if you feel riled up by this reading I believe you will find the overview video helpful.
Praying the Hymns
Our prayer for today is inspired by the written prayer found on page 229 in our hymnal - Prayer to the Holy Spirit. I invite you recite this prayer before closing out this time of study.
O great spirit, whose breath gives life to the world, and whose voice is heard in the soft breeze: We need your strength and wisdom. Cause us to walk in beauty. Give us eyes ever to behold teh red and purple sunset. Make us wise so that we may understand what you have taught us. Help us learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. Make us always ready to come to you with clean hands and steady eyes, so when life fades, like the fading sunset, our spirits may come to you without shame. Amen.