The books of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are known as the pastoral Epistles because they contain instruction to help leaders regulate the Church. In these epistles Paul described the qualifications of bishops, who are to be examples of practical gospel living. He warned Church leaders of perilous times to come and counseled them to protect the Saints from the destructive influence of false teachings. He taught that the holy scriptures are the source of sound doctrine and instruction. Knowing that his ministry was coming to a close and that his life was nearly over, Paul acknowledged that he had endured to the end and had received the spiritual assurance that he would receive eternal life.
Paul’s letter to Philemon provides readers with a poignant illustration of how seeing fellow Saints as our brothers and sisters can increase our willingness to forgive them when needed.
Paul counseled Timothy to ensure that sound doctrine was taught to edify the Saints. Paul explained that the law corrects sinners and that he had been the chief of sinners, but he was forgiven and changed by the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. His experience is a pattern of repentance and forgiveness for all who believe in Jesus Christ and His doctrine.
Paul emphasized the important role of prayer in worship. He taught that Jesus Christ is our Mediator. Paul counseled women to dress modestly and to adorn their lives with good works. He further counseled women to support authorized Church leaders and not to “usurp authority.”
Paul set forth the qualifications for bishops and deacons. Paul gave instructions to guide Timothy in his leadership duties, reminding him that he should lead righteously both at home and in his Church duties. Paul hoped to visit Timothy soon.
In the latter times, some Church members will depart from the faith because they give heed to false teachings. Paul exhorted Timothy to put the Saints in remembrance of those things given of God and to nourish them with good doctrine. Timothy was to be an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.
The Saints were to care for the worthy poor. Paul taught Timothy principles of self-reliance and provided specific guidelines to help identify those widows who need special care from the Saints. He counseled young women to marry and bear children.
Paul condemned false teachers and declared that “the love of money is the root of all evil.” Paul called Timothy a “man of God” and instructed him to flee evil and seek after righteousness. He told Timothy to charge the rich not to be high-minded and to recognize that their riches came from God.
Timothy’s faith was nurtured by his mother and grandmother. God fills His followers with power and love, which overcome fear. Jesus Christ has overcome death. Paul described his role as an Apostle and teacher—a role of which he was not ashamed because he believed in Jesus Christ. Paul praised Onesiphorus for being kind to him.
Paul used the examples of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer to describe what is required to endure faithfully. Paul endured persecution to help the Saints obtain salvation. Paul gave Timothy counsel to help him lead the Saints in his area, including the exhortations to flee youthful lusts, to follow righteousness, and to avoid foolish conversations.
Paul gave warnings about the last days and told Timothy that the godly shall suffer persecutions. He taught the value and purpose of the holy scriptures. They provide spiritual safety against the deception of false teachers.
The time will come when some Church members will turn from sound doctrine to false teachers who speak words that are pleasing to the ears. Paul announced that he had fought a good fight and had kept the faith. He had been assured that he would receive eternal life. He asked Timothy to visit him in prison.
The promise of eternal life was given in our premortal life. Paul explained the qualifications of a bishop and counseled Titus to rebuke false teachers.
Paul counseled Titus to speak sound doctrine to the aged, especially to aged women, who will teach it to their children. He encouraged Titus to be a pattern of good works. Hope comes from Jesus Christ, who redeemed us so we could be purified and become “a peculiar people.”
The Saints were to conduct themselves following Jesus Christ’s example of kindness and love. The Saints are made heirs of eternal life through the mercy of Jesus Christ, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost.
Paul pleaded with Philemon to receive back Onesimus, a runaway slave who had been converted and become a brother in the gospel. The fellowship between Saints should be reason for them to forgive one another.
Show students a picture of a shepherd. You could use Jesus Carrying a Lost Lamb (Gospel Art Book [2009], no. 64; see also LDS.org). Ask students what lessons the picture might convey to Church leaders. Then write the word pastoral on the board, and explain that the Latin word for shepherd is pastor. Explain that Paul wrote letters to Timothy, who was serving as a leader of the Church in Ephesus, and to Titus, who was a leader of the Church on the island of Crete. Since 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus contain instructions for Church leaders, who are shepherds in the Church, the Epistles are sometimes called the pastoral Epistles.
Give students a moment to read 1 Timothy 3:14–15 to discover Paul’s stated purpose in writing this First Epistle to Timothy.
What was Paul’s purpose for writing his First Epistle to Timothy? (Paul hoped to journey to see Timothy, but in case he was unable to do so, he was writing instructions to Timothy.)
How did Paul want Timothy to use the instructions contained in this letter?
Encourage students to watch for principles in the pastoral Epistles that could help them prepare to be faithful leaders in the Church. Point out to students that the leadership principles in the pastoral Epistles apply to both men and women in the Church.
Paul Emphasized the Importance of Following Sound Doctrine
To help students better understand the context of 1 Timothy, have a student read aloud 1 Timothy 1:1–2. Then ask:
What words in these verses convey how Paul felt toward Timothy? (Additional background information on Timothy can be found in the section “To whom was 1 Timothy written and why?” under “Introduction to the First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy” in chapter 47 of the student manual.)
Have a student read aloud 1 Timothy 1:3–7, 18–19 while the class follows along looking for Paul’s concern. Then ask:
What was Paul’s concern? (Some people were teaching false doctrines to the Saints in Ephesus.) What do fables and other false teachings lead to? (see verse 4). What do correct teachings lead to? (see verses 4–5).
In verse 19, how did Paul describe the result of the Saints failing to hold on to their faith? (They “have made [a] shipwreck” of their faith.)
What counsel did Paul provide that would help protect the Saints from having their faith weakened or destroyed?
Draw students’ attention to the term “doctrine” in verse 3, and the term “sound doctrine” in verse 10. Help students identify a principle taught in these verses by asking:
What effect does learning and following sound doctrine have on our faith? (Their statements might include the principle: Following true doctrine strengthens our faith and helps us avoid false ideas and evil practices. You might write this principle on the board and encourage students to write it in the margin of their scriptures.)
Display the following statement by President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008), and have a student read it aloud:
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President Gordon B. Hinckley
“I have spoken before about the importance of keeping the doctrine of the Church pure, and seeing that it is taught in all of our meetings. … Small aberrations in doctrinal teaching can lead to large and evil falsehoods” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 620).
Where would you recommend that a person look for the most reliable sources of true doctrine in our day? (Scriptures and the teachings of living prophets and apostles.)
Write the following scripture passages on the board. Invite one third of the class to silently read 1 Timothy 4:1–4; another third of the class to read 2 Timothy 3:1–7, 13; and the remaining third of the class to read 2 Timothy 4:3–4. Have students look for the false teachings and evil practices that Paul said would exist in the last days and the dangers that would accompany them:
After students have had sufficient time to study their passages, ask the following:
What are some of the false teachings and behaviors that Paul said would exist in the last days?
Which of these have you seen or read about?
Write the following scripture passages on the board. Divide the class into groups and have each group quietly read one of the scripture passages and look for what Paul instructed Timothy and Titus to do to help protect the Saints. You might instruct the students to mark key words or phrases.
After students have had sufficient time to study these passages, ask the following:
What instructions did Paul give that would provide spiritual protection to members of the Church today?
To help students feel the truth and importance of relying on true doctrine, ask students:
How have the doctrines of the gospel strengthened your faith when you have faced false ideas and practices?
To emphasize the importance of true doctrine, consider asking a student to read aloud the student manual commentary for Titus 2:1–12. Give students a moment to ponder what they can do to better understand true doctrines. Testify to the class that spiritual safety lies in learning and living according to true doctrines.
Paul’s Life Is an Example of Preparing for Eternal Life
Ask the class:
From our study of Acts and other Pauline Epistles, how would you describe Paul’s life prior to his conversion? (Possible answers: He persecuted Christians, he did what he thought was right, and he was an enemy of the Church.)
After students respond, give them a moment to read 1 Timothy 1:12–17, looking for how Paul described himself and how he changed. Then ask:
How did Paul describe his life before his conversion? (see verses 13, 15).
In verse 16, Paul referred to himself as a “pattern.” What is the “pattern” he wanted us to learn from his words in verses 12–17? (Student responses may include the following principle: When we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, we can obtain His mercy.)
How does Paul’s life and this principle give you hope for your own life?
What are some of the specific ways in which the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ bless those who believe in Him, as taught by Paul? (Possible answers: We come to the knowledge of the truth [1 Timothy 2:4]. We become heirs of immortality and eternal life [1 Timothy 2:5–6; 2 Timothy 1:9–10; Titus 3:4–7]. Fear is replaced by power and love [2 Timothy 1:6–7]. We are not ashamed of our testimonies, and we faithfully endure tribulation [2 Timothy 1:8, 12; 2:3–10]. We are able to live righteous and godly lives in this world, and we have hope [Titus 2:11–13].)
How did Paul describe the strength that came into his life because he was a disciple of Jesus Christ?
Tell students that 2 Timothy is believed to be the last epistle written by Paul that is preserved in the New Testament. Paul wrote it shortly before his death in Rome. Ask a student to read aloud 2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18.
What do you learn about Paul from these verses?
What did Paul know he would receive from the Lord? Who else did Paul say was entitled to this reward?
What had Paul done to receive an assurance from the Lord of a “crown of righteousness” and a place in the Lord’s “heavenly kingdom”? (As students share their ideas, help them see this principle: If we live righteously and dedicate our lives to the Lord, we can receive an assurance of eternal life.)
Paul Counseled Philemon to Receive Onesimus Back as a Brother
You can help students understand the context of the book of Philemon by writing the following three names on the board:
Paul
Onesimus
Philemon
Ask a student to read “To whom was Philemon written and why?” in the section “Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to Philemon” in chapter 47 of the student manual. Write an identifying phrase next to each name on the board to prepare students to understand the content of the scripture block.
Paul—pled for Onesimus
Onesimus—runaway servant, converted to Jesus Christ
Philemon—owner of Onesimus, member of the Church
Invite one student to read aloud Philemon 1:10–13, another student to read aloud Philemon 1:14–16, and a third student to read aloud Philemon 1:17–19. Ask class members to follow along and look for the reasons why Paul counseled Philemon to forgive Onesimus.
Ask students to imagine themselves in the place of Philemon and ask:
Why might Philemon feel justified in punishing Onesimus?
How might Paul’s counsel persuade Philemon to extend forgiveness to Onesimus?
Based upon Paul’s plea to Philemon, why should we be more willing to forgive others?
Write the following principle on the board: When we view others as Heavenly Father’s children and therefore as our brothers and sisters, we are more willing to forgive them and treat them with respect and love.
Ask students to imagine themselves in the place of Onesimus, and then ask:
If you were Onesimus, why might you be reluctant to return to Philemon?
What happened to Onesimus while he was in the company of Paul? (He was converted.)
You might point out that we are all like Onesimus. We are servants of the Lord; we have committed sins; we have been spiritually begotten and converted; and we are in need of a Mediator to help us obtain forgiveness.
Ask students to imagine themselves in the place of Paul, and ask:
If you were Paul, why would you be willing to speak on behalf of Onesimus?
If you were Paul, why would you be willing to repay the debt owed by Onesimus?
In what ways can Paul’s actions remind us of what Jesus Christ has done to help us?
Share this principle with the students, and bear your testimony of its truthfulness: If we desire forgiveness of our sins, we must rely upon the Lord.