Scripture Union Daily Guide 12 July 2024 (Friday) Devotional Message
TOPIC: Warning Against False Teachings
OPENING PRAYER: Help me to understand the exceeding greatness of your power as I read through this passage, dear Lord.
SCRIPTURE: 1 TIMOTHY 4:1-16
Question(s) for Reflection
* Q3: Is there any command for me to obey?
* Q5: Is there any warning for me to heed?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 12 July 2024 Outline
Observe Paul’s warning in vs.1-2. Deception, and false doctrines are the works of certain spirits manifesting through human agents. These agents are false teachers who reduce godliness to some man-made lists of rules and regulations to be followed to be a “good Christian”. These man-made rules have the tendency of preventing unbelievers from believing the gospel but relying on good works. Look at v.3 for an example (also see Colossians 2:8, 16-19).
Abstaining from certain kinds of food may be helpful for health reasons but adds little or nothing to our spirituality (vs.4-5). What other forms of deception and false teachings have you observed in your own society? How are these affecting the gospel?
The rest of this passage (vs.6-16) is a direct instruction to Timothy on how to be “a good minister of Christ Jesus” (v.6). It is a good outline for every Christian: training in godliness (v.7), teaching the gospel of the Saviour (vs. 9-11), living an exemplary Christian life (v.12), devoting oneself to the Scripture (v.13), and making use of your God-given gift (v.14).
What do these last key words say to us? “Be diligent” (v.15), “Give yourself wholly” (v.15), “Watch” (v.16), and “Persevere” (v.16).
Practice/Word Application
Thought: How much time do you spend in the word of God, our training manual for godly living?
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
Make v.12 the basis of your personal prayer today.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Genesis 18:14
“Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 194 – 2 Chronicles 27; Isaiah 9-12
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN 12TH JULY 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
AREA SCHOOLS LEAVERS WORKSHOP
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye.
Psalm 32:8
THANK GOD FOR:
‣ The work of SU among the School leavers in Nigeria.
‣ The privilege of focusing on directing and ensuring continuity in their faith. Safely and spiritual welfare after School.
PRAY FOR:
‣ A rich and impactful workshop that will help these young people have the right focus.
‣ Both financial and spiritual programmes to be drawn by each Area to suit needs of these youths.
‣ Deliberate plan to give them guidance as they prepare for the next stage of life.
PRAY AGAINST:
‣ Anything that will cut short their lives and expectations.