We begin our study of 1 Timothy by examining the “God to me” mindset threatening the church in Ephesus and how this same departure from God’s truth was seen during the period of the Judges. As we explore 1 Timothy 1:1-17, we see Paul’s opening words to his son in the faith, Timothy, in which he encourages the young pastor and urges him to uphold sound doctrine amid false teaching, idle talk, and legalism that threaten to lead the church astray.