Introduction: The Pastoral Epistles are personal, public, and prescriptive!

I. This Epistle is profoundly personal!
A. It is from Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus (vs. 1)
B. It is to Timothy, his true child in the faith (vs. 2a)
C. It is about personal spiritual matters of the soul (vs. 2b)

II. This Epistle is profoundly public!
A. Its writer is a public person, not a private one (vs. 1)
B. Its recipient is a public parson—a local pastor (vs. 2a)
C. Its content is of public—not just private—concern (vs. 2b)

III. This Epistle is profoundly prescriptive!
A. The essence of the Christian life is taught here (vs. 2b)
B. The source of the Christian life is traced here (vs. 2b)
C. The unity of the Christian life is touched here (vs. 2b)

Questions for consideration: (1) Who wrote the Epistle of 1 Timothy? (2) Who was expected to read 1 Timothy? (3) What does 1 Timothy say is the essence of the Christian life? (4) From what sources does our Christian life really come? (5) Is your Christian life lived all alone?