Page 71 - Pastoral Epistles student textbook

Whatever our financial situation, we are predisposed to loving money. It is part of our sin nature to
want what we do not have.

• Is it wrong to work hard to try to get ahead financially?
• How does Satan use materialism to blind Christians to the needs of the world?
• Where does an obedient Christian draw the line on luxury (having anything more
than the bare necessities)?
• When does it become a sin to want a nicer house, furniture, car, etc.? How do we
evaluate such desires considering 1 Tim. 6:9-10?

1 Timothy 6:9-10. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into
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many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For
the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have
wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Question: What do diets, exercise programs, marriage, and the Christian life
have in common?
Answer: It’s fairly easy and even fun to begin, but it’s not so easy to hang in over the
long haul.

Can a Christian expect to reach a point where the Christian life is an effortless victory,
or must we always strive against the world, the flesh, and the devil?
How can you know when it is time to flee (v. 11) and when it is time to fight (v. 12)?

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1 Timothy 6:13-16. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ
Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge
you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord
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Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only
Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in
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unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might
forever. Amen.

Definition of Integrity
Integrity is the character quality of being above reproach true to your word, and not compromising
your principles even when you’re under fire.

When was the last time your integrity was put to the test and what did you do?
Christians should be people marked by integrity, especially when we’re under fire. If
we fail when the pressure is on, it hurts our witness and people begin to wonder
what we truly stand for.

What are some of the things that you struggle with, when it comes to absolute
integrity? How do you keep yourself without spot or blame?
1 Timothy 6:17-21. 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be
arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope
in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them
to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In
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