What does Paul’s letter to Timothy tell you about the situation in Ephesus?  What is Timothy’s role in Ephesus?

How is the law used properly (v8)?  How does it seem that the false teachers were using the law?

People teach and learn in various ways.  What are some of the ways that the teachers in Ephesus spread their teachings?  What are some of the “false teachers” we face in our society today?

Compare verse 14 with verse 5.  How would these verses help Timothy keep a clear perspective for his own mission? How do they apply in our own ministry in Acacia?

Notice how many times Paul mentions Jesus in verses 12-17.  One of the reasons why Paul’s ministry was so effective was because he focused on Christ Jesus.  In your group can you think of other examples of verses where Paul mentions Christ as a reason for ministry?  Here are some examples.
Phil 1:21 - For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
1 Cor 11:1 - Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Application
False teachers add or subtract from the message of the gospel to create their own teachings.  If you can reduce the gospel message to its bare essential points, what would they be?

After Paul was saved we see a drastic change in his life- he changed so much that the Jews that were once on his side plotted to kill him  (acts 9).  After we have received Christ’s saving grace, do we see a change in our own life?