1 Timothy 1:5-7 (MSG) Hot Air

The whole point of what we're urging is simply love—love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God. Those who fail to keep to this point soon wander off into cul-de-sacs of gossip. They set themselves up as experts on religious issues, but haven't the remotest idea of what they're holding forth with such imposing eloquence.

Observation
Timothy is the protege of Paul. He has travelled with Paul on missionary trips and is now in Ephesus, teaching the gospel. During this time, Christianity is illegal and Christians are martyred. So there is no official meeting place, instead there are numerous small groups. In some of these small groups leaders are teaching more about genealogies and myths and not about the true message of the gospel, Love.
Timothy is young, and I imagine, the other leaders of the groups treat him with little respect. So Paul, being his father in the faith, writes this letter which is to be distributed to the various small groups. Paul is warning the groups that if you spend all your time arguing facts but do not apply love, then they are just hot air and have missed the message of the gospel.

Application
It can be very easy as a small group to miss the point of the gospel, when you love knowledge for the sake of knowledge, or love how others perceive you because of your knowledge.
You have to love knowledge of the word, for the sake of Christ. The driving purpose for the study of the word is to KNOW CHRIST and BE KNOWN BY HIM. I heard a pastor once say, "to the depth that You are willing to fall in love with Christ, is the depth of change that you will experience." This is my driver. The vision statement for my life is to KNOW HIM and be KNOWN BY HIM. When I open the bible to study and memorize scripture, it is for that very purpose; that I may be found in Him.

Prayer
Father, it is the cry of my heart to fall more in love with You everyday. I want a deeper and more intimate walk with You. I want to hear Your voice, for it is sweet. I want to behold Your form, for it is lovely. You are the lover of my soul.