Ready to Receive, Ready to Share
Leadership Lessons from Paul
to Timothy and Titus
Study Guide for Groups or Individuals
by David Carpenter
Smashwords Edition
September 2010
Copyright (c) 2010 by David Carpenter
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Wisdom Cries Out Publications
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Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(r),
Copyright (c) 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995
by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Cover Artwork (c) oconner - Fotolia.com
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Contents
Introduction to this Study Guide
Who Are Paul, Timothy, and Titus?
Study 1 - No Relationship, No Leadership
(Know Relationship, Know Leadership)
Who is God?
Study 2 - God, the Blessed and Only Ruler
(Leaders Recognize the Great Leader)
(Leaders Lay Down Their Lives)
(Leaders Richly Pour Out)
(Leaders Seek the Eternal Kingdom)
Who Am I?
(Leaders Manage Well What is Entrusted to Them)
Study 7 - A Leader, Called and Equipped
(Leaders Wisely Utilize Their Talents)
Study 8 - A Leader, In Pursuit
(Leaders Relentlessly Pursue Good Deeds)
What Makes a Leader Great?
Study 9 - They Possess These Qualifications
(Leaders are Called to a Higher Standard)
Study 10 - They Undertake These Responsibilities
(Leaders Act at a Higher Level)
How Do We Grow Together?
Study 11 - Everyone Properly Aligned
(Proper Placement Produces Peace)
Study 12 - Older, Younger, Men, Women
(Together is More Productive than Apart)
(Leaders are Masters of Their Money and Their Positions)
Ready to Receive, Ready to Share
Introduction to this Study Guide
At first it seems a little out of place. After all, these are letters written by Paul and sent to Timothy and Titus. These are letters written to encourage and instruct Timothy and Titus in the area of leadership development. Leaders are placed in key positions to strengthen and develop their followers.
So, one might wonder why, right in the middle of the second letter (2 Timothy 2:20-21), Paul begins talking about household dinnerware. Objects you might expect to find in the kitchen or perhaps the china closet.
"Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels..." These valuables are the best of the best. Items of "honor" that would be used for honored guests. There are also utensils made of "wood and clay." These items are necessary for the dirty work, the unseen tasks. They are items of "dishonor."
So, what do expensive vessels and wooden utensils have to do with leadership? Paul continues by describing exactly what happens after every meal in your home.
When you have guests over for dinner you use the kitchenware to prepare the food. And, you might use the "formal" place settings to serve the meal. Afterwards, you wash all of the dishes, right? Wash them to get them clean before you put them away until the next dinner.
What happens if you do not wash the kitchen utensils? If there are no clean utensils, how will you prepare the next meal? What happens if you do not wash the formal dishes? The next time you have honored guests, you certainly will not expect them to eat off dirty dishes!
In Verse 21 Paul gives a powerful, yet simple, leadership principle. Clean yourself, prepare yourself so that you are ready for the next opportunity. A clean plate is ready to receive food that is being served. And, a clean plate can be eaten from without concerns about contamination.
This is a leader. A leader is one who is prepared to receive commands, instructions, and resources. Leaders are those who after receiving, pass on information, directions, and blessings to their followers. This is the relationship side of leadership. To be prepared for accurately receiving and then to serve your followers requires good relationships on both sides of the equation. If you are not aligned with your leader, you will not faithfully pass on to your followers.
"But, I'm Not a Leader"
Many people do not feel like they are a leader. Some people do not ever want to be a leader. They overlook common, everyday leadership roles. Certainly school teachers are leaders. They take information they have learned and share it with their students. Employees are leaders. They take direction from their manager and use it to complete projects, produce items to be sold, or perhaps conduct sales transactions with customers.
Wait staff in restaurants are leaders. They take the orders from the customers and deliver them to the cooks in the kitchen. What happens if the order is taken, but not delivered? Or, what if the food is cooked, but not taken to the table. You would call that "bad service."
Many times those who do not believe they are leaders are guilty of "bad service." They receive instructions or directions or blessings, and do not pass them on to others.
The key to becoming an effective leader is to be ready. Prepare yourself to receive. Once you have received, be eager to share. Look for ways to encourage, support, and bless those around you with what you have received.
How to Benefit From This Study
1. Get involved. Whether you are studying on your own, or in a small group, the best way to learn is to interact with the material. Ask questions about the questions. Take notes. Think beyond the pages. Jot down your emotions and reactions.
2. Before getting started with the first study it is recommended that you read 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. Although this is not a "verse-by-verse" study, most of the verses in these three epistles are covered in at least one section. You may consider downloading an audio version of these letters. There are several places on the internet where you can download a free copy of New Testament books.
3. At the end of each study is a section called, "For More Information." If a particular subject strikes your interest, this section provides some ideas for further study.
4. "A picture is worth a thousand words." Draw and doodle and sketch. Color in the margins and blank spaces. Pictures you draw will help your mind be fully involved in the study. And, pictures will help you remember your thoughts and reactions.
Who Are Paul, Timothy, and Titus?
Study 1 - No Relationship, No Leadership
Know Relationship, Know Leadership
When you hear the word "relationship" you automatically begin thinking of friends, family, and co-workers. However, relationships include many more connections than just the people we think of as friends. We have a relationship with bankers, police officers, salespeople, postal workers, and even the President of the United States.
Picture in your mind a busy freeway filled with trucks, cars, vans, motorcycles, and SUVs. Do you see anyone riding tricycles or skateboards on the freeway? Do you see anyone playing soccer or basketball? Why not?
On your freeway are all the cars going the same direction? How do they get on or off the freeway? How do they know how fast to drive?
A busy freeway is crowded with relationships. Cars, trucks, and motorcycles all around you have a direct impact on your speed and safety. Even a stalled car one mile ahead can affect your progress. You may not ever personally meet any of the other drivers on the freeway, but they directly influence your ability to reach your destination. These relationships may not be personal, but they are influential.
Getting Ready
Imagine you are taking an airplane flight to another country. List at least 10 people who will be involved with your check-in and departure. What does it take from arriving at the airport to taking off from the runway? Who are the people involved in this process?
Effective leaders pursue relationships in which they
benefit from receiving and bless through sharing.
Introduction
The Apostle Paul wrote three letters to two of his closest companions. Timothy and Titus both traveled with Paul, and were dispatched by Paul to continue leading churches he established.
The letters are full of leadership lessons for his younger co-ministers. There are general insights into working with people of different ages. And, there are specific guidelines for day-to-day functioning of the churches.
The key to understanding these letters is to look for relationships. How do the young leaders relate to older widows in the church? How should a leader relate to his wife and children? How do believers relate to one another at church, or in the workplace?
A Brief Introduction to Paul
Philippians 3:5-6
(1) List the highlights of Paul's pedigree and accomplishments as a devout Hebrew.
(2) What was the significance of being a Pharisee?
2 Corinthians 11:22-29
(3) What was Paul's heritage according to Verse 22?
(4) List some of the hardships Paul experienced as a servant of Christ.
Missionary Travels
Paul met Timothy while on his second missionary journey.
Acts 16:1-5
(5) List all the background details you find about Timothy.
(6) What evidence do you see that Paul and Timothy had a very trusting relationship?
Eventually, Paul left Silas and Timothy in Berea and sailed for Athens.
Acts 17:13-17
(7) What do you think it was like to travel with Paul? (Refer back to Question 4)
(8) What emotions might Silas and Timothy have experienced through this time of persecution?
Sometime after Paul arrived in Corinth he was joined by Silas and Timothy.
Acts 18:1-11
(9) Describe the beginnings of the church in Corinth. Who were the first members? Who were the Jewish members and who were the "Gentile" members?
(10) How long did Paul stay in Corinth?
Paul's First Letter to the Church in Corinth
1 Corinthians 4:14-17
(11) Why did Paul write to the church in Corinth?
(12) What words did Paul use to describe his relationship with the believers?
(13) Why did Paul specifically pick Timothy to send back to Corinth?
Paul's Follow-up Letter to the Church in Corinth
We see that Timothy had rejoined Paul and was included in the greeting.
2 Corinthians 1:1
Sometime between Paul's first letter and this letter, Titus ministered to the church in Corinth.
2 Corinthians 7:5-7, 13-16
(14) What emotions are expressed that help you understand the depth of the relationship between Paul and Titus and the church in Corinth?
2 Corinthians 8:22-24
(15) How did Paul describe his relationship with Titus?
(16) Paul encouraged the church in Corinth to respond in love to Titus and the other brothers. What reasons did Paul give for recommending these men as leaders?
Study 1 - Final Thoughts
Effective leaders pursue relationships in which they
benefit from receiving and bless through sharing.
Summarize the relationships between Paul and Timothy and Titus based on this first study.
What evidence do you see indicating that these relationships were meaningful and fruitful?
Take a few minutes to consider your own relationships including leading, following, and peer.
Which relationships are the most meaningful and productive?
Which relationships are the least meaningful and most frustrating?
What actions can you take to enjoy and improve your relationships?
For More Learning - Study 1
You can learn more about the travels of Paul and his companions in the book of Acts. Many Bibles, and many websites, have maps showing Paul's journeys.
List some of the cities Paul visited.
What happened in those cities since the time of Paul?
What are those cities like today?
Are you able to locate any modern day photographs?
Who is God?
Study 2 - God, the Blessed and Only Ruler
Leaders Recognize the Great Leader
Review Questions from Study 1
We were introduced to Paul in the first study. What do you remember about his heritage and hardships?
What indication is there that Paul and Timothy had a trusting relationship?
What evidence is there that Paul and Titus were ministry partners?
Getting Ready
Americans have a natural aversion to the rule of a king. The United States of America can trace its origin to a rebellion against the British monarchy and King George III. These sentiments are clearly expressed in the "Declaration of Independence." How do the following excerpts demonstrate the dangers of being ruled by an "unjust" king?
"The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States."
"He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries."
"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures."
"For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent."
Not all kings are "unjust" and "tyrants." What might be some of the benefits of living under the rule of a "just" and "benevolent" king?
Watch for these key words:
* Above All
* Will
* Command
* Beyond All
Introduction to the Only Great Leader
At the beginning of each letter Paul introduced himself and his relationship with God.
1 Timothy 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:1-2; Titus 1:1-4
(1) What do you learn about Paul's relationship with God from these words?
- Apostle (or "sent one")
- Servant
- Command (of God)
- Will (of God)
(2) What do you learn about God's nature through these phrases?
- Command of God
- Will of God
- God the Father
- Christ Jesus our Lord
(3) Throughout these letters Paul continues to list aspects of God's nature. How do these characteristics of God correspond to being the only great leader?
- 1 Timothy 2:4 "...who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
- 1 Timothy 3:15 "...the living God, the pillar and support of the truth."
- 1 Timothy 6:13 "...in the presence of God, who gives life to all things..."
- 2 Timothy 1:12 "...He is able to guard..."
- Titus 1:2 "...who cannot lie..."
(4) As a leader, how can you implement these qualities in your life?
Characteristics of the Only Great Leader
A doxology is a brief expression of praise and honor to God. They were often interjected into Paul's writings in an almost spontaneous fashion. There are two doxologies found in 1 Timothy. From these sections of praise we are able to explore the character of God. And, we are able to discover what it takes to be a great leader by understanding our relationship to God and others.
1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:15-16
For each description of God listed below fill-in the blanks in this sentence:
God is ____________, therefore I should ______________
(For example: God is the King of the ages, therefore I should trust Him for today, and tomorrow.)
(5) The first set of six descriptions declare that God is Above All:
King of the ages (1 Timothy 1:17)
basileus ho aion
King of the kings (1 Timothy 6:15)
basileus ho basileuo
Lord of the lords (1 Timothy 6:15)
kyrios ho kyrieuo
Blessed (1 Timothy 6:15)
makarios
Only God (1 Timothy 1:17)
monos theos
Only Sovereign (1 Timothy 6:15)
monos dynastes
(6) The second group of four descriptions proclaim that God is Beyond All:
Incorruptible (1 Timothy 1:17)
aphthartos (not corruptible)
Invisible (1 Timothy 1:17)
aoratos (not visible)
Immortal (1 Timothy 6:16)
athanasia (not death)
Unapproachable Light (1 Timothy 6:16)
aprositos (not near) phos
Study 2 - Final Thoughts
Effective leaders pursue relationships in which they
benefit from receiving and bless through sharing.
As leaders it is essential that we truly seek after God and acknowledge our dependence upon God. In these letters Paul gives a detailed description of God and His majestic character. This is the first step to being an effective leader. We must strive to appreciate God, and understand His desires for our lives.