A while back, I came across Isaac Watts “Questions for Young Ministers Frequently to Put to Themselves, Chiefly borrowed from the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.” I wanted to update the language a bit and make it a more useful document for me (making Scripture quotes from the ESV), so I’m releasing it here, section by section.
Section V. Of Conversation
1) Is it my constant aim to be “holding onto faith and a good conscience, lest I reject this and, like some, make shipwreck of my faith.” (1 Timothy 1:19).
2) Do I so walk as to set “the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity?” (1 Timothy 4:12); and to “show myself in all respects to be a model of good works?” (Titus 2:7).
3) Do I seek to walk uprightly among people, and doing nothing by partiality? (1 Timothy 5:21).
4) Is my speech free of corrupting talk but only good for building up, appropriate for each occasion that it may give grace to those who hear? (Ephesians 4:29).
5) Do I “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart?” (2 Timothy 2:22).
6) Do I avoid, as much as possible, the various temptations to which I may be exposed, and watch against the times, and places, and company which are dangerous?
7) Do I practice the Christian duty of love and charity, to those who differ from me in opinion, and even “bless and pray for them that may persecute me?” (Romans 12:14, Romans 14:1).
8) Do I behave myself above reproach as God’s steward, not being arrogant, quick-tempered, a drunkard, violent or greedy for gain, being hospitable, lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined? (Titus 1:7-8).
9) Do I daily labor “put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found in my ministry?” (2 Corinthians 6:3)
10) Do I watch over myself in all times, and places, and conversations, so as to do and to bear what is required of me, to fulfill my ministry, and to adorn the doctrine of God my Savior? (2 Timothy 4:5, Titus 2:10).