48 sermon' topics for church growth

Размер шрифта: 13

Introduction

Рис.0 48 sermon' topics for church growth

Sermon Plan for 2023

16 Reasons Why a Preacher Should Have a Yearly Sunday Sermon Plan (2025 Update)

Peace to you, dear readers of the channel "World of the Bible". Well, the year has flown by unnoticed and January has come again. This is not only the time for buying gifts, New Year's mood and Christmas joy, but also the time to sum up the outgoing year. But in order to sum up, you need to look at what were the plans? What?! There were no plans? But how then can you fulfill your destiny and be happy?

So, here are 10 reasons why you need to have a sermon plan for the entire year:

1. A sermon plan for the year will allow you to see the "big picture" and will allow you to plan the correct "spiritual nutrition" and, therefore, the spiritual growth of church members.

2. Your existing archive of sermons can be divided into folders "January-December" with similar topics for each month and you can prepare more purposefully.

3. Sunday sermon should be oriented to answer the questions and needs of people, because no one fishes with sausage, but with maggots and worms, i.e. with what the fish like, not you. (Sermon plan for the Bible hour will be prepared later)

4. In preparing this plan, state and church holidays were used to “tie” people’s earthly life to the heavenly one.

5. Having a sermon plan will allow you to better track your spiritual growth and adjust your sermons to the problems and needs of the church – what is most important at the moment.

6. Having a sermon archive will allow you to spend more time preparing your sermon and to do so more purposefully.

7. You can also break up your sermon archive into topics such as "spiritual transformation" or "biblical principles of financial management" and use them as needed.

8. With a systematic approach to developing sermon topics, listeners develop systematic knowledge that is easier to apply in life.

9. If you have a sermon plan, you can distribute topics in advance among other church preachers.

10. Having a plan for your sermons for the year also helps to improve their quality and impact on people.

I would be glad if you would suggest your topics or arguments for or against making a sermon plan for the year. In the nearest future – a three-year sermon plan for the Bible hour.

Addition 2023

Thanks to everyone who reads and supports our channel.

This year, using the sermon outline was helpful for the following reasons:

1. The problem with the topic for the sermon is removed in 90% of cases.

2. The cultural and historical part of the sermon is almost ready.

3. It was possible to focus on updating the topic of the sermon, its argumentation and counter-argumentation, preparing a better premise, substantiating points and logical development.

4. It is possible to study in more depth the historical, social and cultural background of the era to which the biblical text belongs.

5. Focus on the outline of the passage and its analysis.

Addition 2024

Thank you to the preachers who use this plan or your own plans, I pray that your sermons will be more profound and transformative for you and for people.

1. It is recommended to prepare a presentation in PDF format for each sermon to understand the overall picture of the sermon.

Happy New Year to all! All the best in the new year and blessings in preaching the Gospel!

With respect, love and prayers for you

Rustam Kodash Nasyrov.

January. New Year's Sermon

The Purpose of Human Life: The Path from the Joy of Christmas to the Bliss of the Kingdom of God

And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy that will be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord;

and this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. (Luke 2:10-12)

Peace to all good listeners of the Gospel, readers of the site "Answers to Islam" and any person seeking meaning for their life. In this festive time, filled with the joy of the Nativity of Christ and the expectation of the renewal of your life in the new year, a person especially acutely experiences the need for joy, happiness, love and meaning in his life.

Yes, dear reader, you are on the right track. Let us reflect on what meaning is embedded in your life, and what great joy you can experience by finding this meaning, realizing the purpose of your life, and starting to move towards its implementation, you will be able not only to experience the bliss of a relationship with the Most Loving Person, but you will also be able to bring this happiness of the highest standard to your loved ones, friends,

Whether we like it or not, our happiness and finding it are outside of us, outside of our personality. Some people may find it offensive or hurt their “ego” (in the Bible it is called “pride”), but our happiness does not depend on us, as some people think. The principle “I am the architect of my own happiness” is a losing strategy. This does not mean that absolutely nothing depends on us, it would also be wrong to say so. The principle of our happiness can be illustrated by the following picture: you can fold your palms in such a way that someone will fill them with pure spring water, and you will be able to drink it and quench your thirst. It is up to you to come to the one who can give this water, it is up to you to fold your palms in such a way as not to spill this precious moisture, but we ourselves are not the sources of this life-giving substance of happiness. Next, we will consider who is the source of happiness in our lives.

Another important point is our constant development and knowledge of this Person. I think there are no parents who would want their child, no matter how wonderful and obedient he is, to remain at the level of a three-year-old child all his life. So God wants us not only to be happy, but also to develop and grow in the knowledge of Him, and this allows us to experience an even deeper state of happiness, which the Bible (the word of God) calls blessedness.

Someone might say: "But I don't agree! I want to be happy myself, on my own terms." But let's be honest with ourselves: we've already tried, we've already built "our paradise", we've already wanted to make ourselves happy, and I think we've had enough of what came out of these attempts. At least I can say to myself in these words: "I've had enough of "my happiness", I want the real thing!

So how can we experience the highest joy in our lives, and how can we move along the path of developing this joy until it reaches bliss?

If the source of our happiness is not in us, then most likely it is in the One who created us in His i and likeness, and who has a wonderful plan of happiness for our lives, and if we move in His direction, in the direction of knowing His will and obeying Him, then we can discover for ourselves an amazing world of relationships with God, which can be designated by such a term as the Kingdom of God.

Where do we begin? Where does a person begin? Of course, from birth. When we find ourselves in difficult life situations, in suffering and need, it may seem to us that everything that happens to us is a chain of accidents, and there is no one who could help us in the situation we find ourselves in. And so it is. No one can help you, no one will come to your aid until you admit that you yourself are to blame for the current situation. That your sinful nature has brought you to the place and to the circumstances in which you now find yourself. No one is to blame for them: not your parents, not your friends, not your colleagues at work, and especially not the government and the president. Admit that you made decisions and you did these terrible things, and ask God for forgiveness for what you did. I have good news: God loves you, and God wants to forgive you and wants to build a relationship with you.

Therefore, His angel came and announced to perishing humanity the birth of the Child, that God had given people a chance to start life with a clean slate, a chance to be not just happy, but more than that: blessed.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people: (Luke 2:10)

This is what we are looking for in the New Year holiday, in this Christmas time, and throughout our entire lives.

Let us look at the time when these words were spoken to the representatives of the human race: at that time they were shepherds guarding their flocks in the mountainous Judean region near Bethlehem, the city of David.

The dominant superpower of the time was the Roman Empire. It conquered many countries, and stretched its borders from Britain to India, around the Mediterranean Sea. It built roads that still exist today, it gave humanity Roman law, provided safe living for millions of its citizens, and united them with a single Greek culture and subjugated them to the pagan polytheism of a pantheon of Greek, Roman and other gods. What it could not do was make all people happy – it gave bread and circuses, it waged wars of conquest, but a person inside this empire, even invested with power, remained deeply unhappy, unsure of his life, and ignorant of the truth: this is well illustrated by the words of Pontius Pilate, the representative of this power in the territory of the kingdoms into which the territory of Israel was divided at that time: having met Jesus and talked with Him for a few minutes, he said with a sigh: “What is Truth?”, but in his concern for preserving his life, maintaining power, he made the most terrible mistake of his life, which many people make today: he passed by Jesus, by the truth that he had so passionately sought all his conscious life, and it is important for us not to repeat his mistakes.

Thus, the darkness of spiritual ignorance reigned in the Roman Empire. How were things in the spiritual life of God's chosen people: Israel. Unfortunately, it must be stated that in this nation, too, there reigned not mercy and love, but the worship of the law and the fulfillment of human commandments that pushed aside and replaced the commandments of God, and those people who should have passionately awaited the Messiah, the messenger of God, they did not recognize Him, but moreover, rejected Him, handed Him over to the Roman authorities and demanded the death penalty for Him. Thus, despite the presence of the Temple and the Law, we can also talk about the spiritual darkness in which the Jews of that time also found themselves.

And for us, believers, it is important to remember that knowing the Bible and quoting it does not make us saved people, but also fulfilling the main Law of the Bible – the Law of love, gives us confidence in our salvation.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord; (Luke 2:11)

And so the Gospel was heard – the good news of great joy – what did it consist of? In the birth of the Savior. Today we also passionately need the realization that we ourselves are not able to cope with our internal and external problems, we desperately need an external, more powerful force that can help us, lead us out of spiritual darkness into the light of God's truths. This is the joy of Christmas for us – a joy that is so strongly felt and experienced not only by children on the eve of the New Year and Christmas holidays, but which all people come into contact with: schoolchildren, rejoicing at the holidays, and adults, anticipating holidays and weekends, and older people expecting attention from their children and grandchildren, and if not their arrival, then at least a phone call from those to whom they have given their whole life and all their strength.

The greatest tragedy of man is to keep this joy outside himself, to not let the transforming and changing power of Christmas into his life and into his personality. God did everything for us – He gave His only begotten Son to be executed so that our sins could be forgiven, so that we could restore our fellowship with God, and so that we could become happy and begin our movement towards even greater knowledge of God and finding even greater happiness.

A good person may again object: “I believe in God!” “I even observe the rules of my religion, and perhaps God likes the way I do it, and my religion is the most correct and there is no other way to the Almighty!” (At least this is how I calm my conscience, which for some reason bothers me from time to time).

But let us not rely on our deceptive feelings, for they sometimes let us down. What we can safely rely on, and be sure that we will not fall and will not be disappointed in our faith, is to rely on the word of God, on the Bible, the most published book on earth.

The Almighty, knowing our sinful human nature, knowing our unbelief and doubts, gives us clear instructions on how to be confident in our faith, in our salvation and in our eternal presence with Him, in His presence:

12 And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

(Luke 2:12)

God's Word is not fruitless. It always urges man to action. It says: go, see, check and be sure: I am not deceiving you, the Savior has really been born. He came to die for your sins, but God expects us to exercise our faith – to find the Baby lying in the animal trough, we need to go there, see and be sure that God's word has really been fulfilled. Very often we stop at just hearing God's word, or as we think that what we hear is God's word, but in order to understand that it is really it, we need to go and be sure of it.

I sincerely sought the Almighty, I went to the mosque, tried to observe all the rules of Islam, but I did not find the Almighty there, He did not answer me. And only when I prayed to the Almighty and asked Him for forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ, I experienced this forgiveness – a multi-ton slab of sins fell from my soul – and I had a desire to live on, the inevitability of suicide went away, and the Almighty, instead of the grave in front of which I was already standing, gave me the joy of life, family happiness, the opportunity to hold my children in my arms, but the most important thing that He gave was the opportunity to communicate with Him, because this is the meaning of our human life, only in this is our growing happiness, and only by living with Him in our hearts can we be truly happy.

God is speaking into your life. The whole question is, will we believe Him, will we go and look into the filthy stable of our heart, in which there is nothing but the dirt of our sins, lustful thoughts and serpents of evil plans, that God has put into our heart and the Birth of His Son – the whole question is, are we ready to let Him in there.

Today, now, and during this holiday season, God is knocking at your heart. Stop! Get on your knees. Listen. You will hear the knock. Just say, “Lord, I am so tired of being alone. I ask You to forgive me for living without You. Come into my heart and into my life and be my Lord and Savior!”

There may be tears, trials, losses and difficulties that come into your life. But as long as you have faith in Jesus Christ in your heart, as long as that faith is expressed in obedience to Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God will be present in your heart – and there will always be peace, rest, God's presence and support and relief from problems.

I sincerely wish for you, and for myself, that this Kingdom be in our hearts all our lives, and that it be strengthened, and when our time comes to go to Him, He will meet us as His faithful subjects and as His beloved children. Let us be obedient to Him and let the joy of Christmas lead us to the bliss of the Kingdom of God.

With respect and prayers

Rustam Kodash Nasyrov.

Christmas

The Meaning of the Nativity of Jesus Christ

Many people think that the meaning of Christmas is a family holiday associated with family reunification, buying and giving gifts, some even attend Christmas concerts and services in churches and temples, most experience joyful feelings and emotions, but pass by the meaning of this holiday – the Birth of the Savior. You can meet and spend Christmas fifty or even seventy times, but if you do not understand the meaning of Christmas, and do not let this holiday into your mind, heart and do not change, then this holiday, unfortunately, will be for you just another holiday, a day off, which will not affect your eternal soul and its relationship with God, and its salvation, ultimately. Let's see what changes God expects from us, in our relationship with Him?

1 This is a true saying: If anyone desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.

2 But a bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, chaste, respectable, honorable, hospitable, a teacher,

3 not a drunkard, not a violent man, not quarrelsome, not greedy for filthy lucre, but gentle, peaceable, not a lover of money,

4 He who manages his own house well, keeping his children in subjection with all honesty;

5 For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?

6 He must not be a new believer, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 He must also have a good testimony from those outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Deacons must also be honest, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for filthy lucre,

9 keeping the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.

10 And such must first be tested, then, if they are blameless, admitted to service.

11 Their wives must also be respectable, not slanderers, sober, faithful in everything.

12 A deacon must be the husband of one wife, managing his children and his own household well.

13 For those who have served well obtain for themselves a high degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14 I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon,

15 that if I tarry, you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Tim. 3:1-16)

Personal relationships with Christ, who came into the world through Christmas, should influence our character. The person himself and all areas of his life (family, work, church) change. The main criterion for evaluation is time. A person’s service is manifested through his deeds, his prayer life, his faith and character.

1. The Birth of the Savior: Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and his birth marked the coming of the Savior into the world. This event symbolizes the hope of salvation and forgiveness of sins for all mankind.

2. Fulfillment of Prophecies: Christmas is associated with the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. This gives the holiday special significance in the context of biblical history and its connection with all the events preceding the New Testament.

3. Symbol of love and mercy: Christmas emphasizes the idea of God's infinite love for people, which is expressed in his decision to send his Son into the world. This is the basis of the Christian teaching of love, compassion and kindness.

4. Traditions and Cultural Significance: Christmas has become an important cultural event celebrated in many countries and includes many traditions and customs that help strengthen family ties and community spirit.

5. Spiritual Renewal: The holiday of Christmas is often seen as a time to reflect on one's life's journey, an opportunity for spiritual reflection and renewal.

The holiday of Christmas has many facets and deep meanings. One of the most important facets is the opportunity to establish a personal relationship with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the opportunity for our further change during life and service in the local church.

Why are both aspects important to a person – the presence of personal relationships and the ability to change our character?

Possible counterarguments:

Here are some counterarguments against the idea of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and character change based on that relationship:

1. Subjectivity of Experience: A personal relationship with Jesus can be perceived as a subjective experience that is not subject to objective verification. This can lead to different interpretations and understandings, making it difficult to have a general consensus on the faith.

2. Cultural Differences: Different cultures and religious traditions may have different ideas about the divine, which makes a personal relationship with Jesus less universal and may cause conflicts between different beliefs.

3. Psychological aspects: Some critics argue that such relationships may be the result of psychological mechanisms such as projecting one's own desires and needs onto the i of Jesus, which may not be conducive to true character change.

4. Ethical Dilemmas: Relationships with Jesus can lead to ethical dilemmas when personal beliefs conflict with accepted moral standards or scientific evidence.

5. Dependence on an External Source: Relying on a personal relationship with Jesus can lead to dependence on an external source for decision making, which can limit personal responsibility and independence.

6. Lack of Practical Basis: Some may feel that a personal relationship with Jesus does not provide concrete tools for solving real life problems and conflicts, such as social justice or economic hardship.

7. Division of Believers: Claiming a personal relationship with Jesus can lead to division among believers, as different people may interpret this relationship differently, creating conflicts within religious communities.

Let's look at the cultural and historical aspect of our passage to better understand the meaning of Christmas and its meaning for each person.

1 Timothy is one of the pastoral letters of the New Testament written by the Apostle Paul. It is addressed to Timothy, a young pastor serving in Ephesus. The text has important implications for both the early Christian community and modern understanding of Christian ethics and church government. Here are some key aspects of the historical and cultural analysis of this letter:

Let's look at the history of the writing of 1 Timothy.

1.1 Authorship

The authorship of 1 Timothy is traditionally attributed to the apostle Paul. The letter is part of the so-called Pastoral Epistles, which also include 2 Timothy and Titus. The main arguments for Pauline authorship include:

1.1 Internal evidence

• Style and Language: The letter is written in a style characteristic of Paul's other letters, using his typical themes and terminology.

• Personal Address: Paul addresses Timothy as his “true son” in the faith (1:2), indicating a close relationship between the author and the addressee.

1.2. Historical context

• Life of Paul: The time of writing of the letter is usually dated to the period after Paul's first imprisonment in Rome (c. 63-65 CE), when he was probably in or near Ephesus, which would fit the context of the letter.

1.3 Traditional Attribution

• Church Tradition: Early Christian writers such as Irenaeus, Tertullian, and others recognized Paul as the author of this letter. This consensus has persisted throughout the centuries in Christian tradition.

1.4. Authorship Debates

Despite the traditional recognition of Paul as the author, some modern scholars question his authorship on the grounds of:

• Differences in style: Some scholars note differences in language and style compared to Paul's other letters.

• Context and Content: Some aspects of the doctrine and church government expressed in the letter may reflect later practices and issues, which may indicate that it was written later.

However, most Christian traditions continue to regard Paul as the author of 1 Timothy, based on the above arguments.

The addressee of 1 Timothy is Timothy, a young pastor and companion of the apostle Paul. Timothy was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother, making him a unique figure in the early Christian community. He was a close disciple of Paul, and their relationship was very close, as is evident from Paul’s address to him as a “true son” in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2).

1 Timothy was most likely written around 62-64 CE. This time period corresponds to the period when the apostle Paul was imprisoned in Rome. The exact dates of the writing of the epistles can sometimes be a subject of debate among biblical scholars, but most scholars agree that this epistle belongs to this period.

In this letter, Paul gives Timothy instructions on church government, doctrine, and personal life, and warns him of possible threats and heresies that could arise in the church. Thus, the main purpose of the letter is to support and strengthen Timothy in his ministry and to help him lead the congregation in Ephesus.

2. Historical moments

1 Timothy chapter 3 contains important points concerning church government and the qualifications for ministers. Here are the main historical and theological aspects of this chapter:

2.1 Qualifications for Bishops and Deacons: Paul sets forth criteria for the election of bishops (or elders) and deacons. These qualifications emphasize moral integrity, family responsibilities, and ability to teach. This reflects early Christian values and expectations for church leaders.

2.2 Family Relationships: The mention of a bishop being "unmarried" or "the husband of one wife" and of deacons ruling their homes well, speaks of the importance of family relationships in the early church. It also emphasizes the importance of the personal example of ministers.

2.3 Spiritual Qualities: Paul emphasizes spiritual qualities such as sobriety, godliness, peaceability, and teaching ability. These qualities are necessary for effective ministry and leadership of the congregation.

2.4 Church Structure: Chapter 3 demonstrates the development of church structure in early Christianity. The establishment of clear roles for bishops and deacons indicates the need for organization and governance within the congregation.

2.5. The Church as the Pillar and Ground of the Truth: In verse 15, Paul speaks of the church as the "pillar and ground of the truth," which emphasizes the importance of the church in preserving and spreading Christian doctrine.

3.Geographical moments

In 1 Timothy, especially chapter 3, geographical issues are not the main focus of the text, as Paul primarily discusses the qualifications for church leaders and the spiritual aspects of their lives. However, there are several contextual issues that have geographical significance:

3.1 Ephesus: Timothy was appointed by Paul to minister in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). Ephesus was a major city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) and an important center of Christianity in the first century. It was also known for its pagan cult and temple of Artemis, which posed special challenges for the Christian community.

3.2 Roman Empire: The letter is written in the context of the Roman Empire, where Christianity began to spread. The geographical setting of the Roman Empire influenced the lives and ministries of the early Christians, including issues of persecution, cultural influence, and missionary activity.

3.3 Diversity of Congregations: Ephesus, like other cities in the Roman Empire, had a variety of ethnic and cultural groups. This diversity may have influenced the composition and dynamics of the local church, as well as the demands on ministers to effectively lead a congregation in such a context.

While the geographical details are not central to this chapter, they help us understand the context in which Paul wrote this letter and the challenges Timothy faced in his ministry.

4. Cultural moments

In 1 Timothy, especially chapter 3, Paul discusses the qualifications and characteristics that bishops (or elders) and deacons should have. These qualifications were formulated in the context of the cultural and social conditions of the time. Here are some key cultural points to note:

4.1 Authority and Respect: Respect for authority was an important aspect in Greco-Roman society. Paul emphasizes that church ministers must be above reproach and respected by believers and non-believers. This was important for the church to have a positive influence on society.

4.2 Family Values: Paul emphasizes the family qualities of ministers. For example, he says that a bishop should be “the husband of one wife” and rule his own household well (1 Timothy 3:2-5). In the culture of his time, the family played a central role, and the virtuous behavior of ministers in the family was an important indicator of their ability to lead the church community.

4.3 Moral Standards: The ancient world had different moral standards, and Christianity offered high standards of behavior. Paul lists qualities such as sobriety, chastity, kindness, and lack of passion for money. These characteristics were important so that ministers could be role models in a society where moral standards could be low.

4.4 The Role of Women: 1 Timothy 3:11 mentions “women,” which could refer to both deacons’ wives and women ministers. This shows the role of women in the early church and their involvement in ministry, which was quite progressive for the time.

4.5 Education and Knowledge of Scripture: Since the early church was faced with various teachings and errors, it was important for ministers to have a good knowledge of Scripture and be able to resist false teachings. This highlights the need for education and spiritual maturity in the context of the early Christian community.

The literary context of 1 Timothy includes several key aspects that help us understand its content and purpose. Here are the key points:

5.1 Authorship and Addressee: The letter is written by the apostle Paul, who is writing to his disciple Timothy. Timothy was a young leader of the church in Ephesus, and Paul left him there so that he could instruct the believers and deal with the problems that arose.

5.2. The purposes of the letter: One of the main purposes of the letter is to instruct Timothy in matters of church management and the fight against false teachings that began to spread in Ephesus. Paul wants to strengthen Timothy in his ministry and give him practical advice on how to organize church life.

5.3 Themes and Structure: The message covers a number of topics including:

• The Importance of Sound Doctrine (Chapter 1).

• Prayer and Worship (Chapter 2).

• Requirements for bishops and deacons (chapter 3).

• Warnings against false teachers (chapter 4).

• Practical advice on various aspects of church life, including caring for widows, elders, and ministers (chapters 5-6).

5.4 The Context of the Early Church: The time of writing (c. 62-65 CE) coincides with the growth of Christianity and the emergence of various teachings and sects. This creates the need for Paul to give clear instructions on how the church should function.

5.5 Style and Language: The letter is written in the style typical of ancient letters, using formal addresses and exhortations. Paul uses both personal examples and theological arguments to get his points across to Timothy.

5.6 Social Context: Ephesus had a variety of religious practices, including the cult of Artemis, which created competition for Christian teaching. This highlights the importance of clear and purposeful guidance for believers.

Thus, the literary context of 1 Timothy includes Paul's authorship, his instructions to Timothy on church governance, combating false teachings, and practical recommendations for community life in the early Christian context.

6. Genre

The First Epistle to Timothy belongs to the genre of pastoral epistles (or pastoral letters). These letters, written by Paul, are addressed to his disciples and church ministers, and their purpose is to instruct and guide them in matters of church government and spiritual life.

Here are some key characteristics of the genre:

6.1. Instruction and Guidance: Pastoral letters provide practical advice and direction for pastors and church leaders on how to manage a congregation, conduct worship services, and deal with problems.

6.2 Theological Teachings: These letters also touch on important theological topics such as the nature of the church, the role of ministers, and combating false teachings.

6.3. Personal appeal: Letters are personal in nature, where the author shares his experiences, feelings and advice, which creates a more intimate connection between the author and the addressee.

6.4. Structure: The letter has a clear structure, including an introduction, main topics and a conclusion, which is typical for the format of ancient letters.

Thus, 1 Timothy can be characterized as a pastoral letter, containing instructions on matters of leadership, doctrine, and the practical life of the church.

Here is a rough outline of 1 Timothy that may help in your study:

Introduction (1:1-2)

1. Greetings from Paul

2. Pointing to Timothy as a true son in the faith

Main themes of the message

I. Instruction concerning false teachers (1:3-11)

1. The Call to Leave Ephesus

2. Warning about false teachers and their teachings

3. The meaning of the law and the correct understanding of its purpose

II. Paul's Personal Testimony (1:12-17)

1. Thanksgiving for mercy and forgiveness

2. Paul's example of transformation as a testimony of God's grace

III. Directions for Service (1:18-20)

1. Prophetic instruction to Timothy

2. Examples of those who rejected faith

IV. On Prayer and Worship (2:1-15)

1. A call to prayer for all people

2. Instructions on the role of women in the church and their behavior

V. Conditions for Bishops and Deacons (3:1-13)

1. Criteria for the appointment of bishops

2. Criteria for the appointment of deacons

3. The importance of good reputation and family responsibilities

VI. The Purpose and Nature of the Church (3:14-16)

1. Description of the Church as the Pillar and Ground of Truth

2. Confession of the mystery of piety

VII. Warnings of Future Apostasies (4:1-5)

1. Prophecy about the apostasy of some from the faith

2. Instruction on the correct understanding of food and marriage

VIII. Instructions to Timothy (4:6-16)

1. Instructions for ministry and personal life

2. A Call for Constancy in Study and Practice

IX. Instructions about the rich and the poor (6:1-10)

1. Attitude towards slaves and masters

2. Warning about the love of money

X. Conclusion (6:11-21)

1. Call to righteous living

2. Final Instructions and Blessing

This outline can be used to study the text in depth, highlight key themes, and understand the context of Paul's letter to Timothy.

Our passage is located in the V and VI sections, which are central to this letter. They explain the necessary qualifications of ministers, as well as the role and purpose of the church in the light of Christian doctrine.

The recommendations presented in our passage provide church leaders with practical and actionable advice on appointing new leaders. These recommendations help keep Christianity in the safe hands of local leaders, ensuring its vitality, doctrinal purity, and the attraction of new followers.

1 {Qualities of leaders and their assistants} It is rightly said: it is commendable when a person strives to be a leader.

2 But the leader must be a man who is beyond reproach: the husband of one wife, self-controlled, prudent, respectable, hospitable, a good teacher,

3 not prone to drunkenness, not a fighter, but gentle in dealing with people, not quarrelsome and not having a love of money.

4 He must manage his family well and have obedient and respectful children.

5 For if anyone cannot manage his own family, how can he care for the church of God?

6 A leader should not be chosen from among the new converts, for such a person may become proud and then he will be condemned just as the devil was condemned.

7 He must be well spoken of by unbelievers, lest he be reproached and fall into the trap of the devil.

8 The same applies to deacons. They must be respectable men, sincere, not given to wine, and unselfish.

9 They must hold with a clear conscience to the mysteries of the faith now revealed.

10 These people should first be examined, and if nothing incriminating is found against them, they can carry out the ministry of deacons.

11 The wives of deacons must also be respectable, not gossiping, self-controlled, and trusted in everything.

12 A deacon must be the husband of one wife, and must rule his own children and household well.

13 For those who do their ministry well gain a position of honor and can speak with great confidence about their faith in Jesus Christ.

14 I hope to come to you soon and I am writing this to you for this reason,

15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how you should behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth.

16 The mystery of our faith is certainly great: God was manifested in the body, was justified by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed on in the world, and was exalted in glory.

(1 Tim.3:1-16)

I Qualities of Managers and Their Assistants

A believer is called to service

B Faith changes all areas of a person's life (work, family, church)

C His faith must be passed on to his children.

II One of the main evaluation criteria is time

A The leader should not be a new convert.

B Must be in good standing and not in church

C Must be checked before being placed into service

D It is also necessary for the family to support the ministry of the leader.

E To make a decision, you need to look at how the minister manages the family and children

III The Church belongs to God and must proclaim the Truth

A God was revealed in a human body

B He acted righteously

C He was also visible to the spiritual world.

D He was proclaimed among the nations

E They received him by faith

F He was lifted up in glory

Christianity has an amazing power of moral transformation of a person, we can talk about his new birth. If we look at the requirements for a minister, then without internal rebirth and life with God, a person cannot demonstrate this level of holiness and correct behavior in the family, at work and in the church.

If you have not yet prayed the prayer of repentance, simply say, “Lord, I ask You to forgive me for my life without You, I ask You to forgive my sins in the name of Jesus Christ, come into my mind and heart, take control of my life and let me live for You.”

Your future life in the local church, your service and the change of your character in the process of this service will be an integral part of your faith. People do not see our words and proclamations, they see our lives, and this is the loudest proclamation of the Gospel.

I wish you a Merry Christmas!

May the Lord bless you in your search for Truth.

With respect, prayers for you and God's love

Rustam Kodash Nasyrov

Feast of Circumcision

The Law – What is it for? The circumcision of the Lord is the complete submission of God to the demands of the law.

The purpose of preaching is to better understand the meaning of the law for our lives.

21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, the name which the angel had given him before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord,

23 As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be holy to the Lord,

24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, two turtledoves or two young pigeons.

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. He was a just and devout man, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27 And he came by inspiration into the temple. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him the custom of the law,

28 He took him in his arms, blessed God, and said,

29 Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, O Lord, according to thy word,

30 For my eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

32 a light to lighten the Gentiles, and glory to Your people Israel.

33 Joseph and his mother were amazed at these things which were said about him.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that will be spoken against.

35 And a sword will pierce through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36 And there was Anna a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity,

37 a widow of about eighty-four years of age, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers day and night.

38 And she came at that time and glorified the Lord and spoke about Him to all who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

39 And when they had done all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

(Luke 2:21-39)

A person living in conditions of instability and constant changeability of the external situation needs to rely on something constant and stable. A person cannot be in conditions of constantly changing external coordinates of bad – good, because of this he is in constant stress. To get rid of this situation, we need to turn to the example of the Holy Scripture in order to update our own guidelines and return to the correct perception of the external situation. Why is this important for you and me?

1. Law and legality are the foundation of life in society in any state. Even on the islands in the Pacific Ocean and in the Amazon jungle, the tribes living there have established traditions of social life and way of life. For normal life and development of society, generally accepted external norms of behavior are necessary.

2. As a result of the fall, man lost communication with God and became the bearer of a sinful nature. Without external restrictions, he becomes a bloodthirsty killer. William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" describes a situation where a group of teenagers found themselves on a desert island, and without external restrictions, they become mad killers, and this often happens in our real lives.

3. External law and a set of rules are not only a limitation on the absolute freedom of the sinful nature of man, but they are also a source of our security and compliance with the law supports the stable development of society and the security of its individual members.

Thus, it can be argued that maintaining and observing the rule of law is the basis for the security of life in any society.

Why did God, who came into this world 2023 years ago as a Jewish baby, completely submit himself to the requirements of the law of that time, which was in force in Jewish society, and undergo the procedure of circumcision?

Some might argue that these were the requirements of the time, and that any Jewish boy born went through all the legally required procedures.

But today we know for sure that it was the Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Spiritual Son of God, who was born. This is indicated by our chronology, which begins with His Nativity, and the presence of such a day as Sunday in our calendar, and the fact that Christianity is today the most widespread religion with approximately 2.5 billion followers. Why did He, the Supreme Lawgiver and sinless Person, need to go through all the procedures of the law established for man?

It is no coincidence that this holiday is celebrated next to the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. And we can recall the words of Jesus Christ when John tried to prevent Him from baptizing: "Suffer it now, so it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness!"

So, let us consider the historical context of the Gospel of Luke, which describes the events we are considering, in order to see with our own eyes that God not only sets requirements and standards for man, but He also completely subordinates Himself to them.

The Gospel of Luke does not name its author. However, Luke 1:1–4 and Acts 1:1–3 clearly indicate that the same author wrote both books, addressing them to “the most honorable Theophilus,” perhaps a Roman official. According to early Church tradition, these two books were written by Luke, a physician and close associate of the apostle Paul (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11). This makes Luke the only pagan known to have written a book of Scripture.

The Gospel of Luke was most likely written between 58 and 65 AD.

As with the other two synoptic Gospels, Matthew and Mark, the purpose of this book is to reveal the Lord Jesus Christ and all that He “began to do and teach…from the beginning until the day He…was taken up into heaven” (Acts 1:1–2). Luke’s Gospel is unique in that it is a “continuous account” (Luke 1:3), in keeping with Luke’s medical mindset – often revealing details that are omitted in the other Gospels. Luke’s account of the life of the Great Physician highlights His ministry and dedication to Gentiles, Samaritans, women, children, tax collectors, sinners, and others considered outcasts in Israel.

We see a historically important moment. The God for whom the temple was built and whose resting place it is, comes to it, but in the form of a baby. We often expect the action and presence of God, but more often than not, we do not notice Him.

The events described take place on Mount Moriah, where Abraham sacrificed Isaac and on which the city was later built.

The family of Jesus Christ fulfills all the requirements of the law of that time for a newborn Jew. God comes into people's lives, but He does not violate the law He established, but obediently fulfills it.

The book of the Gospel of Luke is written in the genre of biography, maximally tied to the chronology of events.

Book plan:

I. Prologue to the Gospel and the Purposes of Writing It (1:1-4)

II. The Birth and Years of Maturation of John the Baptist and Jesus (1:5 – 2:52)

A. Announcements of their birth (1:5-56)

B. The Birth and Childhood of John and Jesus (1:57 – 2:52)

III. Preparation for the Ministry of Jesus Christ (3:1 – 4:13)

A. The Ministry of John the Baptist (3:1-20)

B. The Baptism of Jesus (3:21-22)

B. The Genealogy of Jesus (3:23-38)

D. The Temptation of Jesus (4:1-13)

IV. Jesus' Ministry in Galilee (4:14 – 9:50)

A. The Beginning of Jesus' Ministry (4:14-30)

B. Jesus' Authority Authenticated (4:31 – 6:16)

B. Sermon on the Plain (6:17-49)

D. Jesus' Ministry in Capernaum and the Surrounding Cities (Chapters 7-8)

D. Jesus gives instructions to His disciples (9:1-50)

V. Jesus goes to Jerusalem (9:51 – 19:27)

A. Rejection of Jesus Christ along most of this path (9:51 – 11:54)

B. Jesus' Instructions to His Followers in Light of the Rejection of His Truth (12:1 – 19:27)

VI. Jesus' Ministry in Jerusalem (19:28 – 21:38)

A. His Entry into Jerusalem as the Messiah (19:28-44)

B. Jesus in the Temple (19:45 – 21:38)

VII. The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ (Chapters 22-24)

A. The Death and Burial of Jesus (Chapters 22-23)

B. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ and His Appearances (Chapter 24)

The second section speaks of the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus, of the miraculous circumstances of the announcement of their birth and of their birth.

Our passage is key in this section to understanding the need to keep the law and follow it with the utmost precision.