Creekside Community Church

1.What Widows Need

“…protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” (Psalm 68:5)

2.What Widows Provide

“She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day…” (1 Timothy 5:5)

For further thought and discussion:

Getting Started



1.What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2.Think of the time you felt most lonely or isolated. What helped you get through this period? What didn’t help?

Going Deeper

3.Why were widows in such a precarious position in the ancient world (2 Kings 4:1-7; Proverbs 15:25)? How are widows still in a precarious position today? What measures does God stipulate in the law to ensure widows are protected (see for example Exodus 22:21-22; Deuteronomy 14:29; 16:9-15; 24:17, 19-21; 25:5-10; 26:12-13; 27:19; see also Psalm 68:5; James 1:27)?
4.Read 1 Timothy 5:3-16. What criteria does Paul give the church regarding the care of widows? What specific issues was the church in Ephesus dealing with? How do these cultural factors impact our understanding of the passage? How are Paul’s instructions still applicable for us today? What stands out to you about these instructions?
5.Read Isaiah 54:4-7. Why does God describe Israel as “widowed” (see also Lamentations 1:1)? What does God promise to do for his widowed nation? In what sense are we “widowed” when we are apart from Christ? How does Christ address our widowhood? How does this transform the way we care for widows?
6.Read Mark 12:42-44, Luke 2:36-38, 18:1-5; 1 Corinthians 7:8; 1 Timothy 5:5, 9-10. Why do you think the New Testament so often highlights the virtues of widows? How does the church benefit from the ministry of widows (see also Titus 2:3-5)? How have you benefitted from the ministry of widows? If you are a widow, how do these passages encourage you?

Application:
Application:

7.Jeff listed a variety of ways to “visit widows in their distress” (James 1:27). Which of these stood out to you? Why?

8.What’s one way you can apply this passage this week?