By Bryan D. Gill, D.Min.
Director of the Office of Faith, Learning and Vocation, Samford University
GODLINESS
1 Timothy 4:6–16
Over the next few weeks, we will explore different character traits Christians show because of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Godliness, humility, contentment, generosity and integrity are all marks of the presence of the Holy Spirit in someone’s life.
This lesson will focus on godliness. I fear that there are people who shy away from godliness because they see it as legalistic. Pursuing godliness is not legalism; it is a life well lived in response to the gospel. Godliness is something we should strive for, knowing that we are fully dependent upon God’s grace.
Will we be perfect? No. Will we stumble every now and then? Of course. God’s grace gives us the freedom to pursue godliness, but it also covers us when we miss the mark. The only godliness we can attain is found in Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Our response is to live our lives in accordance with the Spirit.
A godly life has eternal value. (6–8)
If you were to set a goal to climb a mountain or run a marathon, you would surely prepare accordingly and strictly follow the training schedule. Even if we don’t aspire to climb a mountain or run a marathon, we all want to be healthy and have a great quality of life. Recent scientific studies have shown that strength training is linked to length and quality of life.
In our passage for today, Paul recognizes the value of physical training. But what he says is more valuable is training in godliness. Physical strength will pass away, but godliness has eternal value.
Nourishing your soul with sound teaching, filling your mind with the things of God without distractions and focusing on truth will benefit us now and in “the life to come.”
A godly life is grounded in our Christ-centered hope. (9–11)
Godliness is something we strive for after we have accepted the gift of salvation. We do not come to Jesus through godliness; rather, we come to Jesus as sinners and because of His saving grace, we are free to live godly lives. Striving for godliness is not the same as striving to do good works to earn salvation. As Paul teaches, we labor and strive “because” we have put our hope in the living God. Our only hope is Jesus, and our response to Him should be a life that pursues godliness.
A godly life points others to Christ. (12–16)
The book of 1 Timothy was written by Paul to Timothy to encourage him as he ministered to the church in Ephesus in Paul’s absence. While the message was specifically written to Timothy, there is much we can gain from Paul’s words about godly living. Paul urges Timothy to set an example in how to live. Ephesus was a young church and still influenced by Greek paganism. Paul wanted Timothy to live a life that exemplified the presence of the Holy Spirit, not a whitewashed version of the world in which he lived.
Paul also encouraged Timothy to read and teach the Scriptures. By being diligent in proclaiming God’s Word, Timothy would point the church to Christ. A life of legalism will point people to ourselves and our own works. But just as Jesus taught us in Matthew, a godly life will be a light that shines before others, and “they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (5:16).
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
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