Today’s passage: 2 Timothy 2:1-7

Helpful thoughts:

• Paul charges Timothy to take what he has learned and to teach it to others, who will faithfully teach it to others.
  • This is discipleship and multiplication of ministry.
• Jesus was not to be simply a part of Timothy’s life.  Jesus is the Lord and commander of Timothy.
  • This is not just true of Timothy.
• Some have taken the phrase, “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits” to say that great Christians won’t waste their time with “secular” work.  This can’t be true.  Paul made tents for a living.
  • When we remember we work for King Jesus no matter where we work, our motivation and goals shift (And probably make us even better employees/employers).

Questions to consider:

1. What do you think are good examples of what Paul meant by “Civilian pursuits?”  What are common goals of people in the world that can easily sway our hearts away from what King Jesus has enlisted us to do?
2. Who has God used to entrust the truth of Christ and the Gospel (The Word of God) to you?  Or, are you allowing others to speak into your life?
3. To whom are you entrusting the truth of God’s Word?  In what ways is the multiplication of discipleship being carried on through your life?  Who else could you encourage in the faith?

Today’s passage: 2 Timothy 1:15-18

Helpful thoughts:

• The Roman province of “Asia” included the city of Ephesus.  When Paul was imprisoned this last time, it appeared as though only Timothy remained supportive of him from the church and region.
• Paul prays a blessing on Onesiphorus and his family for the ministry he gave to Paul in his time of suffering.
• The Christian faith is not to be lived alone (Even by the Apostle Paul).  We need each other.

Questions to consider:

1. What is the basis and foundation of our fellowship together as Christians?  How is the genuineness of our fellowship tested when hardships come?
2. What is the relationship we absolutely need to endure hardship, or even to endure times of ease and prosperity (Philippians 4:11-13)?  If our relationship with Christ is the greatest necessity, then how can our relationships with other believers be truly beneficial and formative?  What is the center and bond of every good Christian friendship?
3. Can you praise the Lord for some friends who have comforted you in and pointed you to Christ?  Who can you be a friend to today?

Today’s passage: 2 Timothy 1:8-14

Helpful thoughts:

• Go ahead and read verse 7 as well to step back into the context.  It will help you understand these verses better.
• Paul is simultaneously suffering and claiming victory.  Suffering for Jesus is not defeat.
• The reason Paul is not ashamed in prison, in chains, awaiting execution…is because his confidence was not rooted in his own self.  Paul’s self-esteem did not help him persevere.  Paul’s esteem of Jesus Christ made him confident both to proclaim the gospel to the lost and to die for it.

Questions to consider:

1. As our culture continues to move away from the Lord, what does it need to hear and believe?
2. Who has God commanded to live as light in a dark world and to tell them about Jesus?
3. Where are we to find the strength and confidence we need to obey King Jesus in the face of opposition?

Today’s passage: 2 Timothy 1:3-7

Helpful thoughts:

• Both Paul and Timothy came from a sort of spiritual heritage.  It is a great blessing to know and learn from the faith of those who went before us!
• The gifts that God gives to us are gifts of service.
  • They are to be used for the benefit of others.
  • They are fanned into flame by their use.
• God dwells in us.  He is the victor.  As we look at the spiritual battle being waged in the world around us, we are able to:
  • Engage without fear.
  • Speak and obey the truth with power.
  • Love proactively and selflessly.
  • Conduct ourselves with self-control.

Questions to consider:

1. In what ways can you be fanning into flame the gifts that God gave to you?  What has God gifted you to do which blesses and strengthens the church?  How are you utilizing that gifting?  What fruit have you seen that you can praise the Lord for?
2. When other people and our assumption of their views and potential responses causes us to falter or freeze, what do we need to remember to get ourselves back on track?  How should the truth of God’s sovereignty and His eternal promises to His people liberate us from the fear of man?
3. How does this powerful love under self-control propel us in the task of the Great Commission?

Today’s passage: 2 Timothy 1:1-2

Helpful thoughts:

• This letter was written by the Apostle Paul from prison in Rome between A.D. 64-67.  He would be martyred for his faith shortly after the letter was sent.  This is the final epistle written by Paul.
  • Paul did not become an Apostle because he really wanted the title.  This was God’s doing and the purpose of his apostleship was to preach the gospel (Acts 9:1-4, Ephesians 3:8).
• As Paul prepares for his death, he clings to “the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.”
• Timothy met Paul during his second missionary journey in Lystra (Acts 16:1-5).  Timothy had served with Paul and had been sent by Paul for approximately 15 years by the time of the writing of this letter.

Questions to consider:

1. Though Paul knows he is about to physically die, what does he know soon awaits him (2 Corinthians 5:1-10, Philippians 1:21-23)?  What hope and perspective can this bring to us all?
2. What is the grace, mercy and peace that has been afforded to all Christians who have placed their faith in Christ?  What has God given to us by His grace?  What was God withheld from us by His mercy?  How has He brought peace between us, though we were formally at enmity with Him?
3. In answer to the previous questions, how is the promise of life given to us (And all who repent and call Jesus, “Lord”)?  How is it “in Christ Jesus?” (Isaiah 53:4-6)