1 Timothy 6 is Paul’s closing instruction to Timothy on three things: how servants and masters should treat one another, why love of money leads people away from the faith, and how a believer should live with wealth and purpose. These questions suit a small group, a Sunday class, or a quiet personal study. Each set moves from what the text says, to what it means, to how it shapes daily choices.
1 Timothy 6 at a Glance
The chapter opens with a word to slaves and their masters, asking both to honor God through how they relate to each other (verses 1-2). Paul then warns against teachers who love argument and treat faith as a way to get rich (verses 3-5), and sets godliness with contentment against the restless pursuit of money (verses 6-10).
The second half turns to Timothy personally, urging him to flee greed and pursue godly character, to fight the good fight of faith, and to keep his charge until Christ appears (verses 11-16). Paul closes with instructions for the wealthy, who are told to put their hope in God and to do good with what they have, and a final charge to guard the truth (verses 17-21).
Observation Questions
Use these first to anchor the group in the text itself. Ask people to point to the words on the page before anyone offers an opinion, and let the answers stay close to what Paul actually wrote.
1 Timothy 6:6-8
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. 8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.
(WEB)
Read this passage early in the session to set the central theme of contentment. Its short sentences are easy to hear aloud, and they give the group a clear picture of the godly life Paul describes before the harder warnings begin.
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
(WEB)
This verse names the root problem Paul is addressing. Reading it aloud lets the group hear the exact wording about the love of money rather than a paraphrase, which often leads to a more careful and honest discussion.
1 Timothy 6:11-12
11 But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
(WEB)
Paul moves from warning to calling here, and the shift is worth hearing in the room. Reading these verses together shows that the pursuit of godliness is an active fight, not only a list of things to avoid.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; 19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.
(WEB)
These verses speak directly to those who have resources. Reading them aloud gives everyone in the group, rich or not, a chance to hear the instruction about generosity and hope, and to consider how it applies to their own situation.
1 Timothy 6:20-21
20 Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge; 21 which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
(WEB)
Ending the reading with Paul’s charge to guard what has been entrusted gives the session a clear sense of responsibility. It also reminds the group that faithful teaching is something to protect and hand on carefully.
Memory Verse for 1 Timothy 6
1 Timothy 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
(WEB)
This short verse is easy to carry through a busy week. Repeating it when money or comparison feels pressing can reshape how a person measures what counts as enough and what counts as gain.
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we thank you that you are the living God who richly provides us with everything we need to enjoy. Teach us the contentment that Paul describes, so that we are not driven by the restless pull of wealth. Guard our hearts from the love of money and from arguments that feed pride rather than faith. Make us rich in good works and willing to share with those around us. Give us a clear and faithful hold on the truth entrusted to us, and keep us pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness until Christ appears. Amen.
