Photo by Joseph d'Mello on Unsplash

Preaching the Pastoral Epistles

Principles and ideas for preaching the biblical books of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus (the “Pastoral Epistles”). A one-hour audio seminar.

Photo by Joseph d'Mello on Unsplash
Photo by Joseph d’Mello on Unsplash

Originally given as a Moore College Women’s Chapel preachers’ training seminar.

Outline:

The easiest and the hardest biblical books to preach

  • Why the easiest?
  • Why the hardest?

Our modern audiences: encouraging and challenging

  • The preacher
  • The self-satisfied social conservatives
  • The social revolutionaries
  • Jesus needs to be central

Situation matters, but situation is not king

  • 1 Timothy: against false teaching that emphasises words and spirituality rather than this-world present-day on-the-ground morality
  • 2 Timothy: persecution and opposition
  • Titus: how to establish ministry in a new and morally dubious situation
  • But don’t let your view of situation override the text

Always remember Jesus Christ (avoid moralism)

  • Jesus is everywhere
  • The temptation towards moralism
  • “How and why is Jesus Christ the reason here?”

Don’t be lazy in your application

  • Mistake 1: Apply every word as if our situation is exactly the same as the original hearers
  • Mistake 2: Make everything a matter of abstract “principle” so that none of the details apply to us
  • Mistake 3: Neglect application to specific situations of the people in your audience

Apologetics is your servant, not your goal

  • Apologetics is the wrong goal
  • Apologetics is a good servant
Iso-chats: Theology
Iso-chats: Theology
Lionel Windsor

Theology, Christian life and ministry