Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Life – 1 Timothy 4:7-8 – Train Yourself – Growing As Disciples
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)
In Training
What do you think it would require for someone to train to become an Olympic athlete? I’m sure that it would take their all out, fully committed efforts to become an Olympic athlete. Give me some examples. They would need to devote their entire life to their goal. So, that would require rigorous physical training every day. Their diet would be limited to only what would be healthy for the care and maintenance of their body. No junk food would go into their mouth that’s for sure. They would also need to make absolutely sure that they were receiving the optimal amount of sleep and rest. Beyond that they would never stop studying how they might gain an advantage in both their training and actual competition. Then they would compete regularly against the best competition in the world so that they would continually be pushed to their limits. After all these fully devoted efforts they might reach their goal of being an Olympic athlete. You have a good grasp of what it would cost to be an Olympic athlete.
Of how much value do you think it might be to be an Olympic athlete? It would certainly be of value to be in great shape physically. I know that you want me to take care of my body. Yes, I do. Being an Olympic athlete might give someone a platform from which they could do great work in society. Yes, it might. Good health might help someone to be able to energetically serve you for a longer period of time. That’s also true. But at the end of a life how much value will there be in physical training? At the end of life there will be no value in physical training. Physical training adds value only in this life. Yes, that’s right.
What kind of training holds value in this life and for all eternity? Training in godliness holds value both now and forever. Yes, it does. Are you training in godliness? Yes, I am. As I meet with you daily in your word I am in training. As we talk together in prayer I am in training. As I follow, obey and serve you I am in training. As I worship you, together in the body of believers I am in training. As I live as your witness in the world I am in training. Yes, you are. What do you hope will be the end result of all your training in godliness? I want to know and love you well. I want to be changed by being in your presence. I want you to mold and shape my life according to your purposes and plans. I want to be the person you want me to be. I want to live the life you have given me to live. I want to have done what you have asked me to do. I want to bear an abundance of fruit for your kingdom and your glory. These are all very good desires. As you are in training with me do you believe that I will accomplish all of these things in and through your life? Yes, I do without a doubt. You are right.
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Life – 1 Timothy 4-7-8 – Train Yourself – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
Lord, help me to be diligent, devoted and committed to growing in my relationship with you. I want to know you. I want to be changed by you. I want my life to be molded and shaped by you. I want to love, follow and serve you well. Amen
Key Question… What patterns, practices, and habits in your life are helping you to grow as a follower of Jesus Christ?
Living It Out… Be diligent, devoted and committed to spending time and effort daily to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that whatever time and effort you commit to growing in your relationship with the Lord will not be wasted.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are vibrantly growing in your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you be diligent, committed and devoted to your training in godliness as a follower of Jesus Christ.
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