1 Timothy 5:3-16: A Vision for the Family and the Church in the 21st Century of our Lord
I. Introduction - A. God’s Word is sufficient to address our social problems.
B. God’s Word structures our social relationships.
II. Six Basic Lessons that set out a Biblical Order for Life
A. Children and Grandchildren are required by God to take care of their widowed Mothers and Grandmothers. Vs. 4
B. The Church is required to take care of Widowed Mothers and Grandmothers who are truly alone. Vs. 5 “Widows Indeed” Defined. - Desolate (alone in the world) - Trusts in God, not in the government. - Has an intense prayer ministry, day and night.
C. Men are worse than infidels if they don’t take care of their own widowed mothers and families. Vs. 8 Application: Teach your sons this lesson. 1. Teach responsibility 2. Teach a love for work and a joy in work 3. Teach your son there is no such thing as unemployment
D. The church helps widows who have lived the normative Christian life for women -- brought up children, lodged strangers, and washed the saints feet. Vs. 10
E. A Cautionary Note: Refuse the younger widows. Vs. 11 1. The church has minimal responsibility for younger widows. 2. Individuals in the church should be encouraged to care for those who are in temporary jeopardy. 3. Younger widows should marry. 4. They should return to their father’s house (normatively) Lev. 22:12-14 5. The dowry is an insurance policy. Gen. 31:14-16
F. Younger woman should marry, bear children, and guide the house. Vs. 14 1. Justification - Generally, reproachful things will happen in churches and society, when younger women do not marry. 2. Exceptions: Jephathae’s Daughter - Problem: Again the exception has become the normative in America since 1950. - Singleness recommended for the present distress. 1 Cor. 7:26 - Benefit to singleness - 1 Cor. 7:34 A Passion for Life? Three Alternatives for Young Ladies : 1. Pour themselves into serving Christ. Prayers day and night. Vs. 5 2. Pouring themselves into the sanctifying process of home and children vs. 14 3. Living wantonly for pleasure (money, sex, and power) vs. 6, 11-13
Applications 1. How are we preparing our sons and daughters for the core calling?

2. Keep in mind - a lot of things have unraveled making it difficult to restore a 1 Tim. 5 vision. - Fatherhood disappeared - Teen Rebellion as the norm - General lack of discipleship as we sit in our homes and walk by the way - Worldview issues - Egalitarian structures in universities, corporations, politics - Me-centered existentialism corrupts family unity - A general rejection of theonomy in BOTH NT AND OT.
3. Fathers could recover a vision for the kingdom of God… for building fruitful households for God’s kingdom - Pro-active role in courtship (1 Cor. 7:38, Num. 30:3-5) Calvin: “It is the office of parents to settle their daughters in life.”*
What’s Your Vision?
*Helpful resource: Courtship, Engagement and marriage: Sex, Marriage and Family in John Calvin’s Geneva Volume I - John Witte Jr. and Robert M. Kingdon (Eerdmans, 2005)
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