Read the Book: January - MarchSample

Week 11

1 Timothy 4

Growing in Godliness

Paul points out to Timothy in verse 7 that it is Timothy’s responsibility to train himself to be godly. Timothy cannot become godly by means of Paul’s efforts, nor anyone else’s. Timothy alone must put in the effort to work toward godliness, which is another phrase for sanctification: our ongoing, lifelong efforts to grow in our knowledge of Christ and for our lives to be shaped around the character of Christ. 

Paul includes an analogy about physical training to help us understand this concept more clearly. It is only our own effort that can generate any form of physical results from exercising. We can’t lose 5 pounds from our own bodies by means of the physical efforts of someone else! So in the same way, walking with Jesus and growing in our faith is us working out what He has worked in! We must respond to His daily mercy by pursuing Him in order for our lives to look increasingly more like Him.

This is why Paul implores Timothy to be mindful and intentional with how he lives his life so that people will see his life and be able to clearly say that he is set apart and is living for the eternal kingdom, into which God invites each of us. Let your own life be a witness so that others will want what you have: a life that is lived for God and looks forward to eternal life in His presence. As the Christian philosopher Dallas Willard once said, “Grace is not opposed to effort—it is opposed to earning.”

Family Connection: When you “grow up,” who do you want to be? Talk about it as a family! Did you know the Bible tells us that you don’t have to “grow up” to be used by God? Read 1 Timothy 4:12. The Bible is full of great examples of young people who made a huge difference in the world when they put their faith in God. You are never too young to be used by God to be an example to ALL believers!