RTW 2024

Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

1 Timothy 4:4-5

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 
1 Timothy 4:12

• In Greek culture “overseer” was used of a presiding official in a civic or religious organization.
• Lists of qualification and virtues were common for political, religious, or military offices.
• Politicians were often evaluated by how well their children obeyed them. Children’s behavior reflecting on their parents was commonplace in ancient wisdom.
• Ancient leadership ideology required leaders to be tested in lower offices to demonstrate their skills before being promoted. 
• In ancient Rome, life expectancy was much less than today.Women were highly vulnerable as widows. They suffered financial destitution and could not receive pensions, government assistance, or life insurance. Paul included widows who were at least 60 years of age.
• Christians did not live extracted from their culture. 
• Our heart and our faith and our thanksgiving to God matters, not necessarily the thing itself.
• Certain instructions (dietary restrictions, for example) in the Bible were for a particular time and place and culture in history, and the heart and wisdom behind that instruction is our goal.
• Archaeological Study Bible
• IVP Bible Background Commentary

Seek to live with the heart of Jesus in all we do.