faith – Three Minute Bible

May 30, 2026June 2, 2026

1 Timothy 4:12e – Finding Faith

a cartoon like image of two wheat stalks and a tare. One wheat stalk is in the middle, his cartoon eyes have a worried look as he glances over at the tare. The tare has a cartoon eyes and a smile with a smug look and the other wheat stalk has a cartoon eyes and smile that look peaceful and happy. (Grok)

[but set an example for the believers] … in faith…

Summary: Paul’s instruction to set an example moves from things we can observe into a realm that is both less obvious and more substantial. Faith is both invisible and very personal. For the believer, it is the foundation of our relationship with God.

It is one thing to set an example in speech and conduct: we can see that. It is another to set an example in love (agapē): we can feel that. But when we get to faith, we are talking about a different kind of thing. We can’t see or feel someone’s faith in God. All we can do is observe them over time and try to discern with our minds why they do what they do.

May 28, 2026May 29, 2026

1 Timothy 4:12c – Faith & Feats

Picture of a man saying "Yes" out of one side of his mouth and "No" out of the other. (Grok)

[but set an example for the believers] … in conduct…

Summary: What we say and what we do are both important. What is best is when the two match up.

So far, the whole passage we are looking at reads:

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct…”

May 26, 2026May 28, 2026

1 Timothy 4:12a – Leading by Example

Picture of a bowl of chocolate pudding (Grok)

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers …

Summary: Paul’s instruction to Timothy is something that is still true today. Everyone needs a good role model to follow.

1 Timothy 4:12 is another passage rich in content. In this sentence, Paul instructs and encourages Timothy because he is “young.” (“Young” in this context meant that Timothy didn’t have grey hair yet.)

May 18, 2026May 19, 2026

1 Timothy 4:6b – Spiritual Food

… nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

Summary: Nourishment is essential for healthy living. This is true for our faith as well as our bodies.

Good nourishment is essential for growth. This is true for house plants, garden vegetables, and people. People who don’t get proper nourishment struggle to survive, let alone grow.

May 9, 2026May 12, 2026

1 Timothy 4:1a – For or Against?

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith…

Summary: Paul’s statement about “later times” leads us to wonder what he means by “abandon the faith.”

Believe it or not, this passage is a troublemaker.

May 6, 2026May 7, 2026

1 Timothy 3:16f – A Most Important Question

A man sits with an open Bible thinking about "On? or In?" (Grok)

[He] was believed on in the world…

Summary: This passage confronts us with the core challenge of the Gospel message: Do you believe in Jesus?

I sometimes have to laugh at how my mind works. When I read the passage for this meditation, I wondered, “What is the difference between ‘believed on’ and ‘believed in’?”

April 27, 2026April 28, 2026

1 Timothy 3:13 – The Path to Assurance

a bible study group of twelve people gathered around a white board covered in markings (Grok)

Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Summary: Paul addresses a question that often haunts the believer’s mind.

I was in a Bible class the other day, and one of the people there asked if people can lose their salvation.

April 22, 2026April 23, 2026

1 Timothy 3:9 – The Eyes of Faith

They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

Summary: Paul’s reference to the “deep truths of the faith” and a “clear conscience” point to things that only the eyes of faith can see.

When we read Paul’s words, we are always looking through the lens of the translators who make it possible for us to read the Bible in English. Translating from Greek is not an easy task, and translators sometimes have to make hard choices when selecting their words.

April 10, 2026April 11, 2026

1 Timothy 2:15 – Living by Faith

Portrait of a family (Pixabay - courtesy of Alisa Dyson Family)

But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Summary: Paul’s words can feel challenging, yet if we look at them in the fullness of his meaning, we discover a message that is both egalitarian and demanding.

Paul’s view of men and women is interesting.

Earlier in verse eight, Paul says he wants men to pray, lift up holy hands, and do this without anger or disputing. Prayer requires a man to rely on God instead of themselves. Lifting up “holy hands” means our hands are clean — we haven’t been doing something we shouldn’t. Doing anything without anger and disputing can be challenging. But Paul is not finished yet. He goes on by telling women how he wants them to address their challenges, and then he says this:

March 9, 2026March 13, 2026

1 Timothy 1:19a – Trusting God (Part II)

… holding on to faith …

Summary: The story of Peter walking on water takes on a whole new meaning as we step back and take a look at the bigger narrative in the Gospel accounts.

Looking back on our last meditation, “Trusting God (Part I),” there are a few unanswered questions that it might be helpful to consider. For example: