Slices
Prepare
‘Therefore confess your sins to each other’ (James 5:16). Consider who you are comfortable talking to about sin.
Bible passage
17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’ 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favouritism.
22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden for ever.
6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.
False teachers and the love of money
These are the things you are to teach and insist on.
Explore
Do you like talking about sin? I would guess that, unless it’s in a generic sense, most of us don’t. But throughout this letter we’ve seen that Paul expects sin to be talked about: after a sinner has repented so that the Saviour can be glorified (1:16), and before it has occurred so that it can hopefully be prevented (4:6). Now Paul adds to the challenge. Sins of church leaders must be identified and dealt with as they occur, and if it’s a sin that has been on display, it must be rebuked publicly (v 20).
However, any rebuke must be offered carefully and with the right motive. It must be done in the context of a church where those who lead and teach well are honoured and provided for (vs 17,18) and it must be done to protect the purity of the church and not to destroy some while raising others up (v 21). Truth must be ascertained (v 19) before action is taken and this may take time (v 22).
Timothy then goes on to encourage Christian slaves to be good slaves so as not to dishonour God (6:1).
In order to deal with sin well, we might need to step outside our comfort zone and get talking about it.
Respond
Perhaps Paul’s words about church leaders who sin prompt difficult memories or current hurts. Bring these to God and then ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to the right person to share them with.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 16,17; Psalm 48
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Mission Partner Engage in Woking as they hold their fifth ecumenical youth event, Encounter. Launched in response to the work done in secondary schools and the main college, this is an opportunity for young people to come together to hear God’s Word, worship and build community.
Equipping the church to reach the next generation
Across England and Wales, increasing numbers of children and young people are asking big questions about life, faith and meaning. Many are more open than we might assume – curious, thoughtful, and ready for conversations about Jesus, even when church isn’t part of their everyday world. For churches who have a heart for the next generation, this presents a real and hopeful opportunity.
Many leaders carry a deep desire to help the next generation encounter Jesus, but with full diaries and many responsibilities, knowing how to respond – or where to begin – can feel uncertain. That’s why we’ve created the It’s Time to Act guide.
It’s a simple, encouraging resource designed to help churches take thoughtful, realistic steps towards revealing Jesus to the next generation. Rather than offering big programmes or quick fixes, the guide focuses on what’s possible now – small, achievable actions that can grow over time. Inside, you’ll find practical ideas shaped by real church life that work alongside busy schedules and varied contexts. So, whether your church is just beginning to explore this opportunity, or already taking steps, the guide aims to meet you where you are and help you discern what comes next.
Our hope is that It’s Time to Act feels less like another initiative, and more like an invitation – to notice where God is already at work, and to take a next step, one step at a time.
If you’d like to explore the guide and see whether it could support your church, you can order a copy here.