Being together on Tuesday, what a blessing that is! Glad to be with you in the Pastor’s Workshop in these days after Easter. We continue to plan for the first Sunday in this season of Resurrection.
Yesterday I announced that we’re beginning a new series. Its title: “New Normal”. Its concern: What’s happening in our daily lives (to our daily lives) as we go through this time of “sheltering in place”? Its hope: We might use this time productively, to “train ourselves in godliness”, to build God’s blessings of health, wholeness, well-being and strength into our daily living.
The Scripture we’re using as a “theme text” is from I Timothy 4:7-8. “Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, 8 for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
If you’re regular in the Workshop you know on Tuesday we look at the structure of the Scripture. What are elements you see that make up this text? How do those fit together, function together to convey the message?
Even though this Scripture is short, it has a “good” shape.
It starts out with an admonition, a warning. The Apostle Paul is alerting his protégé, Timothy, not to “buy into” some of the common wisdom of the day. It’s wisdom that doesn’t “hold water”. He calls it “profane myths” and “wives’ tales”. Other translations phrase these as “silly stories” and “folklore”.
The specific reverence Paul is pointing to in this text are errant thoughts about Christian doctrine. But as we think about “training ourselves in godliness” we’re going to broaden the perspective to think about God’s will and ways in all areas of our lives. Are there things we think, practices we engage in, that are non-productive or maybe even detrimental to our health and wellbeing? The Apostle’s admonition is calling us into self-examination.
After the admonition he makes an exhortation. “Train yourself in godliness”. By training he means deliberately disciplining ourselves towards a desired end or goal. He uses a clarifier in the next phrase as he references “physical training”. We all know what it means to go to the gym! It’s about “working out” so you can “work in” strength and stamina. In this case he’s not talking about physical training. He’s referencing piety that’s practical! The Apostle is speaking about taking your faith and beliefs in God and applying them into every arena of your life you can grow stronger physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, spiritually, congregationally, and societally. The invitation is to build God’s will and ways into all our ways so that we would reflect a wholeness, well-being, strength and stamina that is of Christ.
What are some ways that you would like to grow stronger? How might you use this time of “sheltering in place” to discipline yourself in God’s will and ways of grace for your wellbeing and strength?
Thirdly, the Apostle notes that this “training in godliness” has immediate positive benefits. He says they “hold promise for this life and the life to come.” What would be the positive benefits you envision for yourself and others if you use this time to grow stronger in “godliness” (God’s ways in your ways)?
It’s always nice when a text has a straightforward “flow” to its logic. This Scripture has a one, two, three – admonition, exhortation, and benefit – that helps guide our thoughts.
I look forward to being with you tomorrow as we look at the context for this text, the world into which this word spoke originally and currently. As we set the Apostle’s words in context we find meaning and power the Scripture held for Timothy and has for us.
See you tomorrow!
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for your Scripture. We pray these words would lead us into your Holy Word. We ask that as we examine a text you would shine your light of truth into our minds. Lord, for that blessing and the ways you would guide us into “training” ourselves up in your ways, we give you our thanks and praise this day in Jesus’ name.