BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 7

The Right Kind of Church Membership Matters

2 Timothy 4:1-5

 

Recently someone gave me an article talking about a new fad that is growing. It is called “Sunday Morning Assembly.” Even though it sounds like a new kind of church in reality it is just a secular gathering of people once a week to talk about the things that would normally occur at a party. I have thought a lot over the years about what church should mean to me. Those thoughts caused me to do a study on what I called “Encounters with God.” It was prompted by looking around in a worship service one Sunday and wondering why the people, who had come were there. If the writing of Paul in 2 Timothy was valid for the church at Ephesus it certainly provides us with an idea of what church is like today. I know that I am not a church expert but it seems to me we have drifted in the direction of looking at the body as a place to be entertained. I am probably just as guilty as everyone else by leaving many a worship service feeling empty. Even though I do not always get it right I have come to understand that the only reason that I am there is to focus on God. He is the one to be honored and glorified by our presence.

 

Thom Rainer, the president of Lifeway, and others have written extensively about what it means to be a member of a church. He believes there are four components to define a member. They are:

• Attendance at worship services on a consistent basis.
• Taking part in a small group. There are different kinds of small groups all the way from strict Bible Study to need based ones.
• Contributing financially to the ministries of the church
• Involvement in some type of outreach.

 

We know that these are not characteristic of most congregations. Statistically only about 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of all the ministries of the church. If we were to look at the membership of many churches we would probably see that the inactive roll is sometimes larger than the active. God does not call us to be inactive but actively engaged in His word. There is no way this can happen for those who continually sit on the sidelines while others are engaged in the game of life.

 

2 Timothy 4:1

Paul said two things before he actually got to the task for which Timothy had been called. With all the seriousness he could bring forth because he knew his time on this earth was short, he gave Timothy a charge to carry out. This charge would indicate that Paul was saying, you have a responsibility and an obligation to carry out. The second thing that was important for Timothy to know was all of his actions were under the scrutiny of God the Father and Jesus Christ.

 

When Jesus Christ appears at the end of time there will come a judgment on all of mankind. The first judgment will be for those who have rejected Christ. Followers of Christ will not be a part of that time of judgment. Once a person has become a believer he or she has been judged already and has the guarantee of eternal life.     Followers of Christ should not believe however that they have escaped judgment although they cannot lose their salvation. They will come before the judgment seat to answer for the way they have served God during their lifetime. Paul will speak to what happens a little later in Timothy.

 

1. What does it mean to receive a charge, although given by man, from God? (We have an obligation and a responsibility to serve Him faithfully.)
2. Why did Paul speak with such urgency? (His time was short.)
3. To whom are we truly obligated?
4. What did Paul mean by speaking of the presence of God and His Son? (All of our actions are under the watching eye of the Father and Son)
5. What is going to take place at the end of time? (Every person whether believer or unbeliever will face judgment)
6. What are the two types of judgment?

 

2 Timothy 4:2

The charge to Timothy was to proclaim the word of God in every situation. In other words he was to preach whether it was convenient or not. He was to view the proclamation of the word with all urgency. Although Christ might not return for a long time for many the time was short so it could be a matter of life and death for the listener. There would be times when he might be facing a hostile audience. He was not to be fearful but to use his preaching when it was needed to:

• Reprove was to bring a person under conviction when he or she had drifted from the truth.
• Rebuke was the stern warning of the consequences that would come as a result of wrong behavior. The idea of being critical of that behavior would also fit.
• Exhort was to encourage those in difficult times not to lose hope.

 

His approach was to preach with great patience and clear instruction. Lives generally will not be changed overnight. It will take time to cultivate the relationships that will lead to transformed lives especially when facing the obstacles that confronted Timothy.

 

1. How was Timothy to approach the mandate given to him by Paul to preach? (He was to be fervent and diligent in carrying out the charge.)
2. What does it mean to proclaim the Gospel in season and out of season? (Take every opportunity no matter how difficult to share the message of the truth of the gospel.)
3. What are to be the essential parts of preaching?
4. How should we approach the sharing of the gospel? (With patience and clear instruction.)
5. What was Paul trying to get Timothy to do when he speaks of patience? (Understand that it would take building of relationships to bring a person to the point that he was willing to face his sin and be converted.)

 

2 Timothy 4:3

The sense of urgency Paul felt can be seen in what he saw coming on the church. His view was both short term and for the period facing the world at the end of time. He knew from all of his experiences that there would come a time, which was already beginning in his day, when people would not longer want to hear the truth. Those individuals would want to be part of a group that told them what they wanted to hear. Of course that would mean that the leadership would condone any kind of behavior and by doing so would be very popular. What they would want to hear more than anything were stories filled with a lot of fluff and no substance.

 

1. What did Paul see coming?
2. What do we see happening in our own day?
3. What are some examples of wanting to have one’s ears tickled?
4. What is the danger of that kind of preaching and teaching? (The church loses all it power to impact and change lives.)
5. Why would leadership succumb to that kind of preaching and teaching?
6. What do you consider to be stories of fluff and no substance?
7. What do you believe will be the outcome for people who refuse to listen to the truth?

 

2 Timothy 4:5

Before Paul launched into his own situation he had one last set of commands for Timothy as he was facing a difficult time. He said that no matter what others may do that he was to remain clear in his thinking not swayed by false doctrine. Paul gave this same kind of warning in Ephesians 4:14-15 where he stated that the Ephesians were to hold to and understand the teachings found in the Scriptures. Only as a man remains alert can he ward off the attacks of the enemy.

 

Secondly, Paul was sure that that being a Christian was going to become more dangerous. He wanted to reinforce in the mind of Timothy that hardship was coming. Timothy was to endure the suffering to come as a soldier.

 

Although gifted as a teacher, Timothy was called to go beyond that one facet of ministry and also take on the role of an evangelist. In other words he was being commanded to be a soul winner as well as a proclaimer of the gospel. To be a soul winner would require building relationships that would bring a person to the point of decision. The preacher/teacher would then have the responsibility of growing the person in Christ by discipling him.

 

Finally Paul calls him to fulfill his ministry. He was to remain faithful to the task to which God had called him. Knowing that trials were on the way, Paul wanted Timothy to have the victory that would only come from perseverance.

1. Why is it so important for us to remain sober, clear minded, in all that we hear and experience? (It is so easy to be enticed to drift from the truth.)
2. What hardships was Timothy going to face?
3. Why would they be more difficult for him than the ones he had already experienced? (He would no longer have Paul around to guide and encourage him.)
4. What is the danger of only focusing on the one or two gifts that God has given you? (Neglect other ministries where you are asked to serve.)
5. Why did Paul specifically admonish Timothy to do the work of the evangelist? (It was not his gift but like all followers of Christ he had the responsibility to share the gospel with the lost.)
6. How have you followed the command given to Timothy to witness to others?
7. In what ways can we remain steadfast in our service to Christ?
8. What is not acceptable in ministry? (To be a quitter.)

 

• Evaluate your membership based on the criteria from Thom Rainer.
• Remember that each of us has a calling and a purpose as we serve Christ.
• Even though you may not have the gift of evangelism you still have the responsibility to witness for Christ.
• Do not allow those who may sound good cause you to drift away from an understanding of true doctrine.
• What ever you do remain faithful to it for all your days.
• Remember 2 Timothy 4:2, 5

 

If there are important words to describe a follower of Christ, three of them would have to be patience, faithfulness and endurance. The influence of the church will and has be diminished because we have not constantly followed through on our commitment to be faithful servants of Christ. Our tendency to join the parade to the church with the latest and greatest methods or fads does not show the world that we have the ability to follow through on our promises to the end.

 

The world is too full of famous people, especially in the athletics, who do not keep their promises or fulfill their contracts, but are always looking for greener pastures. It is important for the church to be different. There are going to be difficult times that each congregation faces but it is the one where the people work together to overcome them that are the true witnesses for Christ. It is the individual responsibility of every person to reflect the attitude of Jesus who remained faithful all the way to the cross. It is urgent that we proclaim over and over again the gospel not only with our words but our actions also.

 

 

 

Lesson 6

God’s Word the Foundation for Life

2 Timothy 3:10-17

 

Like many other men, I have missed out on the opportunities to develop a relationship with another man with whom I can share my hopes, dreams. Just to have someone to meet with and open God’s word is a blessing that most of us miss in our lifetime. Most of it is my fault. Being somewhat of an introvert I have not been one who really wants to open my life with others. That puts a major roadblock in any kind of relationship. Even with the two men mentioned before who mentored me I did not want to get too close. Sadly, for me those relationships did not last. Over the years I have taught a number of small groups and led retreats but even being a teacher there is a tendency to see myself as just that, a teacher. That mindset puts one outside of what takes place in the lives of those I have led. Building relationship takes consistent interaction with others and mine have been sporadic at best. What I have learned has been pretty much on my own or listening to others who lead conferences or preach on a Sunday morning. How much better would it be for someone like me to have another person impart the knowledge and wisdom they have gained over the years. Books, magazines, social media and sermons are great but it is difficult quite often to have the answers to questions I might have in what is presented.

 

Church is about relationships. The utmost important relationship is with God. He is to be the center of our focus. He wants to commune with us in a personal way in which we can go to Him with anything that is taking place in our lives. He will answer our questions and point us in the right direction if we will but listen. The second of course is with others. This plays out in the process called discipleship. We are to spend the time needed to help each other become apprentices of Jesus. This is a lifelong adventure because there is not a single one of us that will ever have all of the answers. In a way discipleship is also about synergy. It is the idea of the sum total is greater than all of our efforts done individually. Somehow it is a multiplication of our energy into results that we can ever hope to accomplish individually. The foundation of this has to be God’s word. Discipleship is totally dependent on what is to be gathered as we share all that God has to say to us. Those who have been long time disciples need to impart what they have learned with others. 2 Timothy is full of passages that drive this point home very powerfully. Today’s lesson is no exception.

 

2 Timothy 3:10

Having given Timothy a preview of what would take place in the future, Paul again turned back to the present. He encouraged him by speaking of Timothy’s life up until that point in time. He had been a disciple of Paul’s. A disciple was one who had investigated carefully the teachings of the one he was to follow and found them sound and truthful. Once he had determined that what was said was true he was willing to commit his life to the one who was to be his teacher. Timothy was willing to accept the doctrine concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ coming from Paul.

 

1. What does it mean to be a disciple?
2. In what ways have you thoroughly investigated the truth of God’s word?
3. Who in your life has been an example of a true disciple?
4. What is the danger to you of being able to identify such a person?
5. What have you done to be an example for others?

 

 

Not only had he followed the teaching, but had also in other facets of Paul’s life. He had witnessed His:

• What Paul believed and taught were the guiding principles of his life.
• Every he did was to show his total commitment to Jesus Christ.
• Paul trusted God with everything that was in him. It has already been seen in the word “entrust.” He believed that God would carry through on all of His promises.
• It is the ability to remain gracious and loving in spite of the sometimes cruel and uncaring actions of others.
• Agape love is seen in the life of Paul as he dealt with many unbelieving Jews and Gentiles. Just read Romans 9:1-5 to see his heart felt concern for his fellow countrymen.
• Another word often used is perseverance. The idea is for man to actively to continue living for Christ and not to become a passive recipient of what life deals out. In the face of every adversity Paul never gave up and became discouraged to the point of quitting.

 

2 Timothy 3:11-12

Paul saw persecution and the resulting suffering as one and the same. Timothy may have not been a witness to what Paul had experienced in Antioch Pisidia or Iconium but may have heard accounts of what had taken place. He probably was a witness the treatment of the apostle that occurred in his hometown of Lystra. (See Acts 14:19-20) Paul believed that God had rescued him from life threatening situations to carry on his work. In his mind everyone who is a true follower of Christ can expect to be persecuted in some fashion.

 

1. Why did Paul mention the persecutions he had endured? (To encourage Timothy during difficult times because he himself had been able to endure them.)
2. What did Paul mean by saying that God had rescued him? (Without God’s protection he may have been killed in any one of those instances.)
3. What are some ways do you believe that you have been persecuted for Christ’s sake?
4. What is happening in your life that in some way the world has not persecuted you or caused you to suffer in the name of Christ?
5. What is the one guarantee that we have according to the words of Paul? (We will have God’s protection)
6. What does it mean to be rescued by God? (Either He will intervene in the events surrounding us providing relief or for some it may be taking them home to be with Him forever.)
7. Why did God allow Paul to escape death? (His work was not finished and no one could kill him until his task on earth was done.)

 

2 Timothy 3:13

The words Paul wrote here were a contrast of the character of a true disciple spoken about in the preceding verses and the commands that were to be given in verses 14-17.   Men who were unwilling to follow his teaching, lifestyle, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions and sufferings were to be viewed as evil men and imposters. Rather than growing more Christ like they would continue down the path of going from bad to worse. These men were those who had been deceived by false teachers and had set out to deceive others in the same way.

 

1. How did the men described here differ from Timothy?
2. Why had they missed all that Paul described about himself? (They had been blinded by the false teachers of that day.)
3. How do we keep from falling into that trap? (By viewing the Scriptures in the same way that both Paul and Timothy did.)
4. Who in our day is going from bad to worse?
5. Why does this kind of false teaching impede the progress of the church? (The false teachers are making their followers twice the sons of hell as they are. (Matthew 23:15)

 

2 Timothy 3:14

Rather than falling in the trap of deception, Timothy was to remain loyal to the course that began in early childhood. The world would be trying to get Timothy to compromise, Paul told him to make the teachings he had received his dwelling place. He had not learned them but had become convinced of the truth found in them. The trust he had in the information he had received came from believing that those who taught him were faithful and trustworthy followers of Christ.

 

1. What was necessary to provide the safeguards in Timothy’s life to keep him from turning his back on God?
2. What did Paul mean by talking of continuing in the things learned? (This was not something new in Timothy’s life. It is an indication that he had been in the process of learning for a long time. He would have realized that the kind of knowledge about which Paul wrote was a life long process.)
3. How different is what Paul commanded Timothy than the world would have us to do today? (The world wants us to compromise while Paul would say to each of us stand firm.)
4. In what ways did Timothy know that what he had learned was true? (He had great trust in his teachers and believed they were a dependable dispenser of the truth of God’s word.)
5. What would Paul say to some of us today? (We have not been faithful in the continually growing in the knowledge of God’s word. It is hard to practice what you do not know.)
6. Who are those individuals in your life who have been faithful teachers and mentors?

 

2 Timothy 3:15

Although not specifically mentioned here, Timothy’s mother Lois and grandmother Eunice had been instrumental in developing in him at the earliest age a love and devotion to the words found in the Old Testament. From them he discovered the wisdom of God that led him to the salvation that was available to him in Jesus Christ through faith. As Paul had learned earlier Christ was to be found in every book of the Old Testament.

 

1. Who were those who were instrumental in the spiritual growth of Timothy?
2. How young is too young for the training of children in the word of God?
3. What will they discover if given the right foundation? (The practical knowledge that will lead to a decision for Christ?
4. For Timothy where was the foundation truth about Christ found? (In the Old Testament.)
5. What do we miss out on if we discount and ignore the teachings of the Old Testament? (The gospel of Christ is found throughout the whole Bible.)

 

2 Timothy 3:16

It is a dangerous thing for Christians to discount the message found in the Old Testament. The thirty-nine books found there as well as the twenty-seven books of the New Testament were all God breathed and man written. All sixty-six books of Scripture are of great benefit to man. God meant them to be used for:

• It is the instruction that brings a person into the full knowledge of Christ.
• It is the tool by which a man learns about and is convicted of the error of his ways.
• All of what is heard and read is to be tested by the Word of God. It is to be the standard by which every thing else is judged.
• Training in Righteousness. Every man must reach the point that he is in a right relationship with God.

 

1. What does it mean to say that all Scripture is the inspired word of God? (It is the word given by the Holy Spirit but written down by forty different authors over fourteen hundred years?
2. What is the important message of the Old Testament? (God has a plan for His people through the messiah to come. Man was not going to left alone lost in his sinful nature.)
3. What was God’s intention for His word? (For teaching, reproof, correction and Training for service in the name of the Lord.)
4. Which one of the description given by Paul was foundational for the others? (Teaching of the whole complete Bible.
5. In what ways has the reading, studying and meditating on God’s word changed and shaped your life?

 

2 Timothy 3:17

There was one purpose for the words Paul had for Timothy. Every man is to be adequately equipped for every good work. This is to be the mark of a Christian life. It is not something to be held onto selfishly but for the service of others.

 

1. What did Paul emphasize as the ultimate importance of God’s word? (To equip people for good work.)
2. What do you consider to be examples of good works?
3. What would say is one of the evidences of man’s salvation? (He or she has a deep passion for using the gifts given to them in serving the Lord.)
4. What would you say about a person who is not willing to serve the Lord?
5. How can we convince people of the importance of serving?

 

• Verses to memorize for this week are 2 Timothy 3:14-17.
• Spend time in God’s word this week knowing that it is the foundation for everything that you do.
• Find someone who you believe is a strong Christian and ask him or her to mentor you.
• Make sure that you attend a small group and encourage others to do the same.

 

Instead of writing some closing comments this week I believe that the verses 2 Timothy 3:14-17 covers what I would say better than I can. These are such important instructions for the church and the impact that God’s word can have on each of us, please read the verses again after finishing the lesson to reinforce what Paul is saying to us.

 

 

 

 

Lesson 5

Where Are We Headed?

2 Timothy 3:1-9

 

I sit here heavy of heart. The reason is much of what is in these verses I see being played out right before my eyes. If my life is any example I can almost see how we as the body of Christ got to where we are. From my earliest memories that was no emphasis of God’s word in my family. It was not until high school that I even remember owning a Bible. Once when I was living in North Carolina I was asked to recite Psalm 100 for some kind of citywide program. I had to actually borrow a Bible from my minister in order to learn it. If I was a fairly normal kid, I was lacking in the very truths I needed to know for direction in life. Nothing really changed through my high school years even though there were a couple of dedicated teachers who tried to instill God’s word into our lives. I attended church so something must have rubbed off on me. If you were to look at me at that point I probably would have been seen as a liberal without much knowledge. In spite of my circumstances I know that God has had His hand on my life. Somehow He has brought me to the point of loving and having a deep desire to teach His word. I could not have planned this even if I had tried. What little I know is from Him and for that I am truly thankful.

 

It was not until the 1970’s that God really begin to draw me to the study and having a true passion for it. I have discovered that no one can truly love what God has to say to us and remain a liberal who denies the accuracy and validity of the Bible. To read it and study it is to point us to a life that is changed. The change in one’s life occurs as the Holy Spirit teaches us all things pertaining to God and His Son.

 

As I said in the first sentence, I am saddened by the fact that more and more people who call themselves Christian do not spend time in the Bible and are drifting further and further from its truths. As a consequence each generation grows more apostate in their relationship with God. My hope is to continue to have a greater passion for all that is in its pages that I may continue to grow to be more like Christ.

 

Someone told me many years ago that they had been searching in the metropolitan area for a conservative Bible believing church and found it difficult to find one. This week we have seen again the drift into apostasy of which Paul spoke in Timothy. The Presbyterian Church – USA has just announced that it will begin performing same sex marriages.   This is a blatant violation of what the Bible teaches. God pronounced at the beginning that marriage was to be the union between one man and one woman. This is but one example of the way that the church and society in general has rejected the teaching of God’s word. Paul will be dealing with the individual attitudes and behavior when lawlessness begins to reign in the early years of the church and in the final days of our history.

 

2 Timothy 3:1

For all that Paul had taught Timothy there was a reality that might face him greater than the persecution of the Romans, for which he needed to be prepared. The words of Paul may not fully come to fruition in the lifetime of his son in Christ but would eventually take place sometime in the future. Many of that day believed that Jesus was going to return in their lifetime.

 

Like all Jews Paul believed that all of history was divided into two time periods, the present age and the golden age of God. In between those was the Day of the Lord when God would Himself intervene in history to destroy and judge evil and establish a new world order. It was the period of time prior to the Day of the Lord of which Paul was speaking when the forces of evil will make one last ditch effort to defeat God’s people by every kind of oppression and violence conceivable to man.

 

1. Why did Paul feel it was important to tell Timothy about the events that would occur at the end of the age? (Many believed that it would occur very soon.)
2. How did the Jews view history? (The Day of the Lord would divide the time prior to the joyous time to follow the destruction and judgment that would occur.)
3. How do you deal with the thoughts of what is to take place in the future?
4. How are you preparing for any thing that might happen?

 

2 Timothy 3:2-4

Having laid out to Timothy the fact that there is going to be a final consummation to the world, as man knows it. He went on to talk about the godless condition of man at that period of time. Man’s attitudes and behavior will be the last piece of the puzzle that will bring on the judgment of God. Paul said that they would be:

• Lovers of themselves. Another way to describe them is people who are self-centered. This attitude will destroy all other relationships including the exclusion of God from one’s life.
• Lovers of money. This would definitely include greed, covetousness, jealously and selfishness. Here again it would destroy relationships because such a person would not tolerate anyone from getting in their way as they strive to achieve their personal goals.
• It is a man who makes claims about things that he does not possess. It is certainly a lack of character to pretend to be other than a person truly is. A good example in our world today would be someone who makes claims about their educational achievements or service rendered in the armed forces on their resumes that are just not accurate. Churches can even get caught up in it by stating that they actually have more members than who actually attend on a consistent basis.
• The Greek word for arrogance is blasphemia from which comes the word blasphemy. The arrogant man is one has no regard for either God or man. He is one who is full of pride and looks at all others as inferior to himself.
• Those who use abusive and insulting language towards other. They have no problem hurting others with their sharp and demeaning words. It is both ugly and unforgivable because it is intentional.
• Disobedient to parents. William Barclay put it powerfully when he wrote, “It is a sign of an extremely decadent civilization when youth loses all respect for age and fails to recognize the unpayable debt and basic duty to those who gave it life.” (page 187 of The Daily Bible Study Series on 2 Timothy) This one attitude can only lead to the breakdown of the family and society when not even the basic qualities of the family structure no longer exist.
• They refuse to acknowledge that they owe a debt to either God or man. Ingratitude would be another word to describe the heart of such a person.
• In the minds and lives of such individual they view nothing as sacred. He will not do those things that are decent but act out of his own desires.
• This is one of the great downfalls of man that he lacks genuine affection for anyone or anything. The Greek word for this type of love is Storge. It means the kind of love found in families. Without it the family structure is destroyed and society will fail.
• They do not have the ability to ever forgive and injustice real or imagined that has occurred in their lives. The hatred they have for others will never end.
• Malicious gossips. A gossip has no problem destroying another person’s reputation by slandering their name. One of the greatest weapons the devil has is the use of half-truths.
• Without self-control. Driven by passions and addictions people will no longer live restrained lives but give into what ever the heart desires.
• People who are without conscience in the way they treat others. They are worse than animals because there is absolute no remorse in the doing of violence.
• Haters of good. This is seen in the attitudes of atheists towards Christians. They only see Christianity as a threat to wellbeing of society and something to be avoided. It is like a person who standing in front of a beautiful painting or a scene in nature and is totally unmoved by what is before him.
• The Greek work is prodotes, which means traitor. This person is one who will turn his back on family and friends and inform on them even it means their death. This has occurred throughout history. Paul saw this coming not only in his day but when family would be betrayed. Judas was a perfect example of this kind of man.
• To plunge headlong into an action without giving thought to the consequences of his decision. They do not stop and think before doing or saying something that might bring harm to themselves or others. How many times has the statement, “If I had only” been heard. Sadly, all too often it is too late to change the circumstances. Today there is a term that fits these kinds of reckless individuals. It is “extreme.”
• The phrase that I have used many times to describe one who is conceited is “they think they are good.” They are also thought of those with a swelled head who has a very high opinion of themselves. Paul included those in the fallen nature of a person found at the end of time. They are the one’s who will believe their own press. Jesus was just the opposite.
• Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Like Demus and others name in Timothy they loved the accolades and trappings of this world.

1. What evidence do you see that these conditions are either in existence or beginning to become visible in the church?
2. What does your answer say to you?
3. Which of them bother you the most?
4. What do you need to do to make sure you are not falling into the traps that these represent?
5. Why is it so easy for Christians to be caught up in such practices?
6. How do you keep others from becoming apostate?

 

2 Timothy 3:5

Paul ended the condemnation of such men with the stinging words that their belief in not God was not genuine. It was all a façade to build themselves up in the eyes of the church. In the end times there will be an effort to bring about a one-world church. A great deal of compromise will have to take place to reach that point but it will happen because of the apostate condition of the church at that point. Even today man can fake his commitment to the church while all the while what he believes in empty and hollow.

Paul said to avoid those types of men.

 

1. In what ways is it possible to spot men and women who are playing games with Christianity?
2. How do we know when a person is a genuine follower of Christ? (One way is to look at the way they serve. It is to get the attention of men or to please God without any desire of earthly rewards.)
3. What will happen to a church full of those who are only Christians on the outside?
4. How can we keep that from happening?
5. What does Paul mean by avoiding them? (Do not get embroiled in their activities?
6. How are we to view them? (Lost in need of a Savior.)
7. What can be done to change their way of thinking?

 

2 Timothy 3:6-7

This example was probably specific to the church in Ephesus. The women about whom Paul spoke were those who were vulnerable because of their new found freedom in Christ from the oppressive male dominated society in which they lived. All one has to do is look at the way Muslim women are treated today to see the conditions under which they lived. They had no rights, were not educated and were for having children. Like the Muslim women they were not allowed to go out alone or socialize with mixed groups. Because of all that had taken place they were anxious to learn. Into the lives of those women came the false teachers who convinced them that their gnostic teaching was correct. Sadly, the very knowledge that they sought would never be theirs. The women were misled by unscrupulous men, who used their position to take advantage of them. This would have led to the possibility of all kinds of immoral behavior taking place.

 

1. Why did Paul use the situation in Ephesus as the example of what those who pretended to be righteous misuse their religion?
2. Why was easy for the women of that day to fall prey to such men?
3. At the end of the day what would be the spiritual condition of the women? (They were no better off than if they had remained as pagans.)
4. What were they really doing? (Turning the women away from God for their own selfish motives.)
5. How had Paul warned Timothy about those kinds of men before? (Not to get caught up in their teachings and practices by fleeing youthful lust?
6. What is the danger for church leaders today? (Counseling a female alone can lead to immoral behavior.)

 

2 Timothy 3:8

The Jannes and Jambres mentioned were probably Egyptian magicians who tried to use their magic tricks to oppose the work of God. Paul said they were opposed to the truth as they tried to maintain their position as God was judging the gods of Egypt before the Exodus. Not only will such men be rejected by God for their lack of faith but, their evil works will also be exposed and short lived. The false teachings of such men will be exposed when laid beside the truth of God’s word.

 

1. Why did Paul go all the way back to the Old Testament to select examples of the godless men about whom he had been writing? (The nature of men who oppose God has never changed.)
2. What will happen to such men? (They will be rejected by God because of their lack of faith.)
3. In what ways can we expose the folly of such men? (Compare their teachings with the Word of God.)
4. How can we be caught up in their folly? (By not understanding what God has to say about different matters in life.)
5. What are we to do with such men? (Expose their teachings.)

 

• Search your heart according to the things in these verses to see if they describe your attitudes and actions.
• Use them as tools to search God’s word to see how He wants to overcome such tendencies.
• Continue to meditate on God’s word to hide it in your heart knowing that the days about which Paul spoke are headed our way.
• Stay alert.
• Remain sober and clearheaded so that the world cannot overcome you.

 

All we have to do is read the paper or watch TV to see many of the things that Paul wrote about taking place all around us. Every day there is a new disturbing story of man’s inhumanity to man. Much of this has occurred because the church was sat on its hands and let the world push us into a corner. We do not even have to view the media to know that things are not heading in a godly direction. All we have to do is go into a public place and hear profane and abusive language of all ages to know that there is something desperately wrong. Hopefully, Christians have not become so apathetic to the behavior of the general public that we do not see the need to do something about it. If nothing else we can pray fervently for the condition of our world at every level.   There is other preparation that needs to occur. There needs to be a concerted effort to be ready with the truths of God’s word to confront a lost and dying world. It is not enough to look a passage like the one we are studying today and say these things are inevitable what can I do. Every life that is changed through our sharing of the gospel is one less person over whom satan can claim victory. Our church may be the only lighthouse in the community if it comes to that point but let us make sure that we keep the light penetrating a dark world.

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 4

Focused on the Kingdom

2 Timothy 2:14-26

 

One of the phrases I have often used is, “If you had told me fifteen to twenty years ago I would be doing what I am doing today, my answer would have been there is no way that would happen.” It has taken me all these years to be in the position to feel somewhat comfortable to share what God has allowed me to learn.

 

There is a possibility that my memory has failed me, but as I remember that biographies were written based on a lifetime of achievements. One of the men I have admired for a long time is D.L. Moody. He specifically ordered his family not to write about his life until after his death. His explanation was based on the fear that he might destroy his life story by making some wrong decisions and undermining all the work he had accomplished over his forty plus years in ministry.

 

Today there are a number of books written about those especially in the sports world whose only accomplishments are in that arena. The subjects of these books are only in their early 20’s or 30’s. My concern was addressed in an interview I heard between two well-known ministers. During the discussion one of them was asked why he had waited so long to begin writing books. His answer was two-fold. He said that when he was young he did not feel that he had enough background knowledge to write definitively. The other reason was that he might change his views over the years and would have to give answers for the variances. The minister therefore waited until he was in his fifties and a pastor in a church in New York since 1989.

 

Our growth and understanding only comes if we remain diligent and focused on the guidance we receive from God’s Word. In order for a young man or woman to reach a point of being in Timothy’s position they must be trained but also have a desire and dedication to continue under teachers who have been willing to sit under the leadership of others. Not only must we gather together but must also remember that the time spent under formal learning opportunities are limited. Much of what is gained from the Bible must be done every day in reading and mediating on what God has to say. Only then can one be able to follow the commands and instructions of someone like Paul.

 

2 Timothy 2:14

It was the task of Timothy to continually bring before the people what they had heard from Paul and now Timothy. Paul had just restated the importance of man’s relationship with God through Christ that could be shared over and over again. Through their understanding they would not fight over the things that were matter of opinion. Their focus needed to on those words that as John Phillips said are meant for life and death, time and eternity. To continually talk about things that were trivial in nature would eventually tear the church apart. The people were called to be servants of God, not those who spent time in arguing.

1. What did Paul want the people of the church to remember? (The gospel and a person’s relation to God.)
2. What was one of the dangers facing the church of that day? (The infighting over the teaching that was to take place in the church.)
3. What are some of the misinterpretations that are taking place today?
4. What are the things that are important for the church to discuss? (Those teachings that will last into eternity, salvation and how to live out one’s faith in the world today.)

 

2 Timothy 2:15

In order to accomplish the task set out before him, which would have to be done without depending on Paul, there were certain things that were to be of utmost importance in Timothy’s life. He was to be diligent, totally committed to presenting himself as a servant and teacher who would stand for the truth in the face of opposition and false teaching. His doctrine was to be based totally on the Word of God. He would prove himself fit for service by standing the testing that would be before him in the church and the possible persecution to come.

He should be like gold that had been purified under fire.

 

1. What were the qualities that Paul desired to be present in the life of Timothy? (Diligence, A true servant of God who has proven himself by his life and study to be a teacher of God’s word.)
2. How does one become a person who rightly divides the word of God? (See 2 Timothy 2:2)
3. What is doctrine? (The teachings and themes found throughout God’s word such as Theology, the character and attributes of God and Christology, the study of Christ.)
4. Why is it so important to understand doctrine in the world today?
5. What does it mean to be tested in light of what Paul wrote? (To remain true to God’s word in the face of strong opposition and false teachers.)
6. Who are the false teachers in the world against whom, we have to be on guard? (Atheist and those who tear down God’s word by presenting teachings such as health and wealth and those who call themselves theologians who dismantle the Bible arguing over what is Scriptural and what is not.)
7. In what ways do you desire to serve God?

 

2 Timothy 2:16-17

The more the people carried on worldly and empty chatter that amounted to nothing, the further they found themselves drifting away from God. Timothy was to not take part in those conversations that only wasted precious time. False teachers will always find an audience of those who are like-minded. Sadly, their teaching can permeate and eat away at the body of Christ in the same way gangrene works. It effect is insidious and deadly. Paul mentioned two men, Hymenaeus and Philetus who were primary culprits in spreading of false doctrine. Although, Hymenaeus had been handed over to satan yet he still remained as an influence among some of the people. (1 Timothy 1:20.)

 

1. What happens to people who continually argue over or take part in empty chatter?
2. Why is it so important that we understand what is meant by worldly and empty chatter? (One thing it takes us away from studying and meditating on God’s word.)
3. Why is it so difficult to remove those types from the body of Christ? (They build up a group of followers who like to hear fruitless discussions. As mentioned before the Greeks were famous for their endless discussion leading nowhere.)
4. Again, how can you make sure that you do not get caught up in following individuals like the two men mentioned above?
5. How do you recognize what is false and empty teaching? (By understanding the genuine truth found in God’s word.)
6. What will cause those types to leave? (No one listen to them.)

 

2 Timothy 2:18

The message being delivered by those men was that the people had already seen the final resurrection. They supposedly had gained it in two ways:

• At the time of their baptism
• Or that a man lived on vicariously through his children.

Both of these of course were false for the Bible clearly teaches that the final resurrection will come at the time when God judges all mankind. The result will be some will live with Him for eternity. Others who have rejected Him will face and eternal separation and punishment in hell. Followers of Christ believe that although the physical body will die a person lives on for eternity in a new perfect body. Like the new age movement of today the Greeks believed that man would lose his identity in the after-life and would be absorbed into God.

 

1. What are some of the problems with the teaching of men like Hymenaeus and Philitus?
2. What does the Bible clearly teach? (We will go into eternity with our identity intact with a new indestructible permanent body.)
3. Why is it important to know what you believe about eternity?
4. What excites you about the message of the Bible? (To know that eternity is assured for all who believe.)

 

2 Timothy 2:19

Although many were teaching that which was false, Paul wanted to assure Timothy, and through him, that there was only thing that was certain. Paul knew that everything was affirmed in God. He was the foundation of all that was and is believed. He was also the One who established the guarantee of man’s relationship with Him. Having established those truths there was another important guarantee that should give man peace. God knows those who have been sealed in his relationship with the Father. Everyone who called himself a follower of Christ was to eliminate wickedness and turn himself to a life of righteousness.

 

1. What was the one thing of which Paul was assured?
2. What does it mean for God to be the foundation?
3. Because God is the foundation what is the assurance that man has? (He is sealed in the Holy Spirit.) (See Ephesians 1:13)
4. Upon what foundation are you building your life?
5. What is the evidence that it is taking place?
6. What does it mean to you to know that you belong to God and He knows who you are in relationship to Him?

 

2 Timothy 2:20

Paul uses a metaphor to describe those in the church. Each of the vessels mentioned is of lesser quality and value than the one preceding it. He goes on to qualify them as those who are more honorable than others. What he is truly describing is the mixture of all kinds of people that are to be found in any body. They are:

• Gold which is the most valued of all commodities and highly fit for service
• Silver to a lesser degree is also of service
• Wood and earthenware vessels are those, who although a part of the body, may have a head knowledge of Christ and put on appearances, but have not had a change in heart. God spoke to Ezekiel about a true conversion when He said, “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh and will put My Spirit within you.” Ezekiel 36:26-27

 

1. Why was the metaphor of the vessels a clear picture of the church? (There are all kinds of people in the church, those totally committed to service to God and those who are seemingly along for the ride.)
2. Where do you see yourself in this picture?
3. In what way does Ezekiel describe the differences between the vessels? (Gold and silver would represent those with a heart of flesh. Wood and clay would relate to hearts of stone that have not changed to serve God.)
4. What is important to have both wheat and tares in the church? (Hopefully those who are just there will see the importance of becoming a follower of Christ.)

 

2 Timothy 2:21

According to Paul there is hope for all of the vessels. If one is willing to cleanse himself Paul provided list of four things that would occur in a person’s life. He would become:

• A vessel for honor
• Sanctified
• Useful to the Master
• Prepared for every good work.

 

1. How can a person be changed from a vessel of dishonor to one of honor? (Cleansing that comes through the Holy Spirit.)
2. What does each of the terms Paul used when speaking of a person mean? (There is a real opportunity for a person to have a different relationship with God.)
3. What do you need to do in your own life to make sure you become a vessel of honor?
4. What are you doing to make that progress in your spiritual walk?

 

2 Timothy 2:22a

After what had been said Paul laid out another warning and a remedy to overcome the life pursuing youthful lusts or desires. He was commanded on this occasion not to resist, as was written in James 4:7, but turn and run away from those things that would entrap him. William Barclay provided a list that might be considered as desires that might qualify from which a person of any age should flee. These go beyond the idea of immorality that is usually associated with the word lust. Quite often young people live in an idealized world and driven by emotion or impulse. Barclay describes lust as:

• Impatience wanting everything right now
• Self-assertion which may be described as being intolerant of others by not seeing the point of view of others as of any value.
• What he calls disputation which is the desire to be argumentative
• The Love of new things or that which is novelty

 

1. Although written to describe characteristics of youth which of them still fit who we are no matter what our age?
2. Why are these dangerous in the body of Christ or any other group of people?
3. What do you think of Barclay’s list?
4. What others would you add or maybe delete from the list in view of today’s society?
5. Why is Paul’s admonishment to run away from those attributes?
6. If you would describe all of these in one word what would that word be? (Immaturity)

 

2 Timothy 2:23

Timothy is then commanded to replace the youthful lusts with the pursuit of:

• Righteousness
• Faith
• Love
• Peace

 

All of these were to be done with a heart that had been cleansed and coming through testing that removed any hindrance to the relationship with the Father.

 

1. How do the above qualities contrast to those of youthful lusts? (All of these are God and other centered.)
2. Having seen Paul use these terms before in Timothy why was it necessary to repeat them again?
3. What do each of them mean as you consider them again?
4. What does it mean to have a pure heart?

 

2 Timothy 2:23

Again in the next two verses there will be a contrast between those who want to continue to argue and speculate about those things they do not understand. Timothy was to absolutely refuse to get caught up in those discussions had no value and were a waste of precious time. Not were they useless but quite often would lead to quarrels that would ultimately divide the church.

 

1. With what we have already read, what contrast do we see between the actions of others and Timothy?
2. What is the danger of empty and foolish speculations?
3. What is to be our response when we hear people carrying on such conversations?
4. Why is it sometimes difficult to stay out such discussions? (We may think we can bring clarity to the argument but than likely the people involved do not really want a solution.)

 

2 Timothy 2:24-26

The qualities of a follower of Christ described as a bondservant are to be just the opposite of the those above. He is to:

• Not be quarrelsome nor take part in debates that are based on speculation and empty words
• Be kind to all by treating all people the same.
• Able to teach
• Patient when wronged accepting hurt without lashing back
• Correct others in a gentle way. An analogy might be “a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down” from Mary Poppins.

 

By doing the above a person may be brought to their senses and they return to an understanding of the truth. Of course satan wants to hold on to those he may have thought were his but Christ can free those once trapped by the devil.

 

1. In what way do these qualities contrast to what has gone before?
2. What is the one word that would tie them all together?
3. Which of these do you find more difficult to carry out?
4. What would be gained, in the words of Paul, by dealing with those in the church of Ephesus in this way?
5. Why should this be the same way we approach people today? (People have not changed that much in the way they respond to others.)
6. How can we make sure that we take back those who have been in the trap set by satan?

 

• Begin now to be a good student of the Bible.
• Search your own life to see if there are any youthful lusts that must be rooted out of your life.
• Two verses that are important out of the study today and should be part of the hiding of God’s word. They are 2 Timothy 2:15 and 2:22
• Seek to be one who unites and not divides by seeking the qualities of righteousness, faith love and peace for yourself and others.
• Develop and attitude of gentleness in your relationships with others.

 

God has not only gifted every follower of Christ but has called that person to be a workman in His kingdom. Every service that is rendered must be according to the correct interpretation of His Word. We must never have it say less than it says or more than God intended. To guard against false teachings we are called to be diligent and focused on knowing and practicing the teachings of Jesus. Paul made it his lifelong goal to preach and teach nothing but the truth. From that total commitment came people like Timothy, Titus Silas and many others. That is quite a legacy that has continued down to this day. We need to make sure that it does not stop with our generation. Our work today is dependent on the truth that has been passed down to us. We must keep the torch held high to give guidance to the next generation. Be diligent in your task and flee from all that may lead us in a path away from the righteousness that God has offered to us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 3

Discipleship the Committed Life

2 Timothy 2:1-13

 

In his book, “Real Life Discipleship: Building Churches That Make Disciples” Jim Putman has written, “Remember, discipleship happens when we are in relationship with other believers where real teaching, authenticity, accountability, shepherding, and training are part of our lifestyle. It is the responsibility of all mature believers to learn to feed themselves, then to feed others, and then teach them to feed themselves, and then to teach them to feed others- you get the idea.” He goes on to say, “Spiritual parents are intentional about helping infant, child, or young adult grow up to make more disciples. They think in terms of training and releasing so that the army of God can grow.”

 

One of my favorite Bible verses and the guiding principle of my life is found in Ezra 7:10. Ezra wrote, “Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statues and ordinances in Israel. My passion for many years has been to bring people to the point where they love God’s word and have a deep desire to share it with others. In my mind that does not mean that one has to stand before others in a formal presentation but using every opportunity to discuss the Bible in every type of circumstances. Real discipleship means that I am to do everything I can to help others grow.

 

The only way for a church to continue to thrive for years to come is for those who call themselves Christians is to wake up and understand that body of Christ will last without the effort of each of us to set our hearts to study, practice and teach God’s words. Those who follow us are depending on us to help them grow in the knowledge of the things of God. Sadly, this has not been taking place to the extent it needs to happen. Most statistics would say that the members of the church are basically biblical illiterates, with the figure hovering about 80%. It is no wonder that the same percent of young people are leaving the church by the time they are 18-20 years old. We can turn around that trend if we will just take seriously the concept of discipleship. It will take more than a few people to make this happen. We cannot wait until a child reaches his or her teen years. It must begin when they are children. To disciple someone we must understand that each of us is a learner and follower our entire life. If we believe that fact then our lives can and will make a difference in the lives of others. Paul understood this fact as he continued to advise Timothy while he was incarcerated in a Roman prison.

 

2 Timothy 2:1

Paul had just given an example of one who had the quality of the inner strength. Onesiphorus had displayed the perseverance that is needed by believers to face very difficult situations. Timothy would be able to be strong only through the sustaining power of God through the gift of grace that one receives in Christ. A follower of Christ will always find God with him in his hour of need.

 

1. Who did Paul use as the example of one who had the quality of inner strength? (Onesiphorus)
2. What do you see as the qualities of one who has inner strength?
3. How does a person develop such inner strength? (Through dependence on God.)
4. What does it mean to receive grace that is Christ Jesus? (To receive the mercy of God to help us in our time of need.)

 

2 Timothy 2:2

There was one gospel but Timothy had received his instruction from not only Paul but many others who had witnessed the activities of Jesus or who had learned them from those like the original twelve who travelled about teaching all about the Savior.

Timothy was to use that knowledge of the gospel to disciple those who would carry on the work of Christ, as Timothy was to do so having learned from his teachers. This pattern is the reason that the gospel is still vibrant and alive to this day. The ones with whom Timothy was to spend his time and expend effort were to those who had remained faithful. They also needed to be those who were able to teach others. This carries with it the idea of mentoring. Mentoring would be spending time with a younger believer in the faith and helping them to become a mature knowledgeable follower of Christ.

 

1. What was the one message that Timothy had learned? (The good news of Jesus Christ.)
2. What did it mean for him to have learned it from Paul and other witnesses?
3. Who might those witnesses be in Timothy’s day?
4. What was the pattern Paul put in place for Timothy and the people in the church at Ephesus? (It was the discipleship and mentoring process?
5. What does it mean to disciple or mentor someone?
6. What will happen to the church if it loses its focus and no longer continues this process?
7. Who is someone that you can either mentor or you would like to be your mentor?
8. What is another way that discipleship can take place? (Within the small group setting.)

 

2 Timothy 2:3-4

Paul gave three examples of those who had the inner strength to face whatever circumstance might confront them. Before Paul talked about the qualities of the three he gave a command to Timothy. He called on Timothy to be willing suffer for Christ as he was doing in prison. Timothy was called on to be a good soldier for Christ. Paul goes on to say certain things about those in the military that are also characteristic of a warrior in God’s conflict. He,

• Was not distracted by the things of the world but was totally focused on his duties as a soldier.
• Was willing to make sacrifices even if it meant giving up his life.
• Was obedient to the one who had called into service.
• Understood that his life did not belong to himself but to his nation.

 

1. What did Paul call Timothy to do?
2. Why did he use the example of a soldier in describing one whom Timothy should use as a model of living?
3. What are the characteristics that Paul admired in the life of a soldier?
4. In what ways should your walk as a follower of Christ be like that of a soldier? (Commitment, obedience and sacrifice remembering we do not belong to ourselves but Jesus Christ.)
5. In what ways have you or have not displayed those qualities?
6. What are you willing to do to correct those areas in which you have failed the master?

 

2 Timothy 2:5

The next example Paul used was that of an athlete. Every athlete has one goal in mind. To that end he is willing to use every ounce of strength he possesses to gain the reward of victory that is placed before him. Discipline and self-denial are two of the qualities that every great athlete possesses. He may be committed to the sport in which he participates, but he will not receive the crown given to the winner unless he plays by the rules. Sadly, today there are those who will use any means to win, from taking performance-enhancing drugs to outright cheating. Paul admonished Timothy to give his all to the endeavor for Christ knowing that there would be a crown of glory awaiting him at the end of the journey. In order to receive the reward he must be obedient to the teachings of Christ and willing to stay true to the battle against the evil one until the end. See 1Timothy 1:12 again for the guarantee each believer has. One thing

 

1. What was the difference between the soldier and the athlete? (He had some control of the outcome by the effort he put into the training.)
2. What are two qualities that are important in the life of every great athlete? (Discipline and self-denial.)
3. How are these qualities played out in the life of a Christian? (Our lives are not about us but the goal of the upper call of God.)
4. What is the importance of playing by the rules? (Even though one may not win the contest he has remained true to himself and that will be remembered long after the time in the arena.)
5. Who are some of the people we know that have try to skirt the rules of take short cuts in their preparation?
6. How do we sometimes try to short-circuit the discipleship process? (One way is not be prepared as a teacher to open God’s word in a way that helps a person grow in Christ.)
7. Who are the losers when we do?
8. What do you think about those individuals?
9. What are the ground rules that a believer is called on to follow?
10. What is the ultimate reward for being obedient? (1 Timothy 1:12)
11. What do you want do you want the Father to say at the end of your journey?

 

2 Timothy 2:6

The last metaphor that Paul used was to describe a Christian as a hard working farmer. When one thinks about a farmer he is seen as one who:

• Works very hard often for long hours each day often seven days a week.
• Patiently waits for the harvest to come trusting that his hard work will pay off.
• Realizes that the results are not always under his control.

When the harvest came the farmer was the first to benefit from all of his effort. He would provide for those who were his own and then distribute what was left over to others.

 

1. In what ways is the example of the farmer different than a vast majority of Christians today? (They lack the discipline to continue without ceasing)
2. What are some other ways we fall short?
3. What comes to the dedicated farmer?
4. In what way does that type of dedication pay off for the Christian? (He participates with others at “the marriage supper of the Lamb” written about in Revelation 19:9.)
5. What one aspect of the description would have been extremely important for Timothy? (To be patient in the face of much adversity.)
6. What is the common thread in all three of these groups?
7. What are you willing to give up to gain a reward that is permanent?
8. What is your primary goal in your Christian walk?

 

2 Timothy 2:7

After describing the qualities needed for a follower of Christ Paul had another important piece of advice. Timothy was to give careful attention to and think deeply about the things that Paul had taught him. By doing so the Lord would help him understand all that he had received from all of his mentors and disciplers.

 

1. How might you rephrase the words, “Consider, what I say,” for today’s church? (Heed the teaching of the Word of God by those who have spent their lives studying it.)
2. What did Paul want Timothy to gain from what he had heard?
3. What does it mean to gain understanding in everything?
4. How can we be like Paul and pass on the message of the Bible?
5. What does it take to do so? (Discipline to understand the Bible in order to be able to share it with others.)

 

2 Timothy 2:8-9

Paul had said many things to Timothy. He wanted Timothy to understand that he did not retain another thing that Paul had taught there were two things that he was never to forget. Christ’s resurrection and that he having been born in the line of David was the promised Messiah. Paul had so identified with the living Christ and considered himself only alive in Christ that he believed that the gospel was personally his as he only taught the things of Christ. His hardship had come because of his total commitment to the gospel and he had been put in prison because of sharing the good news with the whole world. The enemies of Christ thought they could stop the spread of the gospel because the most foremost minister of the word was locked up as a criminal and hopefully would be forgotten. Paul had come to a most powerful conclusion. No matter how many people, like him, were imprisoned and executed because of their faith, there was no way possible that the enemies of God could stop the word of God from continuing to be spread throughout the world. A dark, damp and cold cell may keep Paul from speaking but there would be countless others like Timothy to take up the banner.

 

There is a story of a Baptist minister in of Virginia in the 1700’s who was locked up in the Chesterfield County jail for preaching the gospel without a license. In that day the only ones allowed to preach were the Anglican priests. Being put in jail did not stop John Weatherford from speaking to the crowds that gathered outside of his cell window. The officials made one last attempt to dissuade him from preaching and the people from coming to hear him. They built a brick wall outside of his window. Even that did not slow him down. The people continued to gather and John Weatherford spoke over the wall knowing that his followers would be there. There is one last interesting fact in the story. Patrick Henry, of “Give me liberty,” fame defended the preacher and secured his release. God’s word had not been imprisoned.

 

1. If Timothy forgot all else that Paul had taught him what was he to remember?
2. In essence what did the command mean? (Timothy was to remember the gospel the good news of Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection. Paul had already indicated the assurance of a reward to all who followed Christ.
3. Why was Paul in prison?
4. What should that have meant for Timothy? (Paul was not asking Timothy to do what he was not willing to do in his own life.)
5. What does it mean that God’s word cannot be imprisoned?
6. In what way is the story above an example of that truth?
7. What then is our responsibility if we are to follow the example of Paul, Timothy and someone like John Weatherford?

 

2 Timothy 2:10

There was one reason that Paul was willing to suffer greatly for the cause of Christ. He wanted to reach everyone who was to be saved so they would obtain the salvation only to be found in Christ Jesus. They were would receive eternal glory upon making that decision.

 

1. Why was Paul willing to suffer as he did? (It was for the sake of Jesus Christ and all those who would become or had become believers.)
2. What did Paul mean when he used the term chosen? (Not everyone who heard the gospel would respond. God knew who would respond before the foundation of the world. As they accepted what He offered to them they became part of His forever family.)
3. What were the benefits to be found in being those who were chosen? (Salvation in Jesus Christ and all that came with it for eternity.)
4. How do you know that you have been chosen?
5. What does it mean to you to have eternal security and the rewards that go with it?

 

2 Timothy 2:11-13

There was one thing of which Paul was sure. It was the eternal faithfulness of God. For him identifying with the death of Christ meant that he would also live with the resurrected Savior. To remain faithful to Him would one day bring all of His followers to the time when they would reign with Him for eternity. Paul went on to write that God’s faithfulness is not dependent on man remaining true to Him. He will however deny those who turn their backs on Him like some of the people that Paul had mentioned earlier. God is faithful because it is who He is, it is inherent in his nature to be so and He can never deny Himself.

 

1. What do you think of someone who does not remain faithful to you?
2. How can we know that God is faithful to us? (It is part of the nature of God who is total truth and always does what He has promised in Scripture.)
3. What would you think of a god upon whom you could not depend?
4. What are some of the ways that God has shown you that He will never fail you?
5. What is the one thing that will cause Him to deny that He knows you?
6. What is the promise Paul wrote about that is guaranteed? (We will live because of the death and resurrection of Jesus that will bring about eternal glory for each of us.)
7. Why do people turn their backs on a Savior and God who has promised so much?

 

• Understand that discipleship is not an option for you or me. Each of us is called to help another person grow in Christ.
• Think about the best way you can carry out the command to disciple someone.
• If you do not believe you are ready to do so, look for someone to mentor and disciple you.
• Get involved in a small group or a one to one relationship where you can grow.
• Memory verses for this week are 2 Timothy 2:2 and 2 Timothy 2:9. The first is a challenge meant for each of us. The second is a promise that should give us the confidence needed to minister to others.

When we focus on what makes a healthy church one of the important factors that must be considered is discipleship. Disciples display certain characteristics that show their dedication to Christ. We have seen some of those in the examples Paul used in this part of Timothy. There were soldiers, athletes and farmers. All three of these exemplified courage, commitment, willing to sacrifice for a cause, self-discipline and self-denial. All of these are imperative in our relationship with the Father and His Son. There is one more aspect to be considered. It is the sharing of the good news we should be acquiring as we learn from others. We are commanded by Christ to disciple others. Only by teaching others God’s word and instilling the need to live like Christ can we expect for the church to remain healthy and viable in society. Our passion is to be a disciple who wants to make disciples so that the next generation will continue the process in successive generations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 2

Where’s the Shame?

2 Timothy 1:8-18

March 8, 2015

 

Let’s be honest. Not everyone has the personality to be involved in confrontational evangelism. I would go one step further and say that not everyone has the gift of evangelism. Neither of these ideas, of course, exempts any of use from sharing the gospel with those in need of salvation. The great commission was given to every single one of us, without exception.

 

When I was involved in the FAITH ministry at Bethany Place I never became comfortable in going up to someone’s door who I did not know to share a presentation of the gospel even though it would have eternal consequences for his or her life. This lesson today makes me wonder whether my hesitancy to share is what Paul is talking about in the passage in Timothy. The question becomes for me is whether cold calls is really the best way to reach people for Christ? Many today say that building relationships will reap a greater harvest than in effect trying to ram the gospel down the throat of a complete stranger. For me building a rapport with a person sure takes a lot of pressure off of both parties. The canned presen- tation may or may not lack the sincerity needed because it is sometimes amounts to being like a door-to-door salesman who makes his pitch and then is never seen again, even if you buy his product. Paul may have gone to different places and witnessed about the truth found in the gospel, but he then spent time discipling the people before moving on to other cities. He also left behind elders in each church who would help the church continue to grow.

 

One of the problems of the church today is the fact that we have become ingrown. Our growth comes from trading sheep rather than reaching out to those outside the body. One statistic that speaks clearly to the state of our evangelistic efforts is the number of church members it takes to convert a new believer. It now takes 100 church members working for a whole year to reach one person for Christ. Any of us can do the math and see this is not a way to grow Christ kingdom on earth. Paul would probably ask, is this a symptom of those who are ashamed of the gospel and are unwilling to speak up for Christ? This attitude hurts individuals who would become believers if someone is willing to stand beside them over a period of time guiding them forward to make a decision. New believers often bring a new energy to the body because of their excitement. To be ingrown only allows us to live in the world of the comfortable status quo and refusing to take the risk in the messy business of getting involved in someone else’s life. Paul would never condone such behavior and attitudes from those who claim to be followers of Christ.

 

2 Timothy 1:8

Timothy had just been given a clear picture of all that God had made available to him. (Vs. 7) He had received the power, love and discipline to enable to carry on the ministry he had been given at Ephesus. Because God’s power dwelt in him he was not to pull back or be ashamed of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul also encouraged him to not be embarrassed to acknowledge his relationship with his father in the Lord. Although there is no indication that he was doing either of these, Paul wanted Timothy to understand that their relationship went much deeper than outward circumstances. It would have been easy to deny Paul out of a fear of being known as an associate of a political prisoner of Rome. His own life may have been in danger or his ministry among the enemies of Paul may have been diminished or even destroyed. He was called to be willing to suffer for the gospel in the same fashion as Paul with a disregard for his own wellbeing. There was no way that it could be done in his own power but that which had been given to him by God.

 

1. What is the key to continuing God’s ministry in spite of the circumstances surrounding you? (In God’s power)
2. Why did Paul feel the need to admonish Timothy not to be ashamed of sharing the gospel or of him? (It is easy to turn one’s back on those in trouble. It is also because of the fear of being rebuked or ridiculed.)
3. When has there been a time in your life that you have turned your back because to carry on the relationship may have brought embarrassment to you?
4. How do we overcome the fear of giving testimony of what Christ has done in our lives? (Knowing that God is stronger than any adversary we might face.)
5. Why is it important to continue in the ministry you have been given? (People are looking at the way we serve Christ and live our lives.)

 

2 Timothy 1:9

The most important fact that Paul wanted Timothy to remember, if he had any idea of turning away from him or God’s work was that He, through Jesus Christ, had been saved. Not only had he been saved by the work of Christ but had received a call to be consecrated and set apart for God’s work. As Ephesians 2:9 infers man’s call has nothing to do with one’s own effort. Timothy’s call was according to the purpose and grace of God. Paul said that all of it was all made available before the foundation of the world in the work of Christ.

 

1. What was the most important fact Paul wanted to make to Timothy? (He need not give up on his ministry or Paul because he had been saved.)
2. What other encouragement was Timothy given? (His calling was a gift from God.)
3. What is the point that we need to remember? (Our call is a gift to be set apart for service to God and our fellow men.)
4. What does the term holy in line with calling mean? (Our calling to be set apart and consecrated to God for His purpose in our lives.)
5. When did God decide for us to receive salvation and our calling? (Before the creation of the world.)

 

2 Timothy 1:10

What began in the heart and mind of the Godhead before creation was brought to completion by the appearance of Christ into His creation. In His death and resurrection  His actions brought about the abolition of man’s final enemy death and eternal life. The good news that Jesus brought to mankind was that he need never face death of the soul and spirit but could have a life that never ended into eternity.

 

1. How was God’s plan to come to fruition? (By Jesus coming into His creation and making Himself known to His people.)
2. In the mind of Paul what was the devil’s greatest weapon against man? (Death. This was eternal death that would come to all who rejected Christ.)
3. What actions were needed to make God’s plan succeed in the lives of His children? (The death and resurrection of His Son)
4. What was the result of those events in the mind of Paul? (Death was defeated.)
5. What does this mean for mankind? (The physical body is all that dies, but the soul and spirit lives on for eternity.)

 

2 Timothy 1:11

Paul’s call to which he had referred before was to be:

• Preacher – One who proclaims the gospel written about in the previous verse.
• Apostle – One sent in the name of Jesus Christ to spread the gospel in many places.
• Teacher – Unlike the apostle the person who plants himself more permanently in one place to disciple those who sit to learn under his teaching. Paul acted in this role in his stays at Antioch, Ephesus and Corinth where he stayed a year or more in each place.

 

2 Timothy 1:12

Paul was in prison because of his call to go to the Gentiles to preach and teach the word of God in many places. His greatest enemy was the Jews who continually did everything they could to stop him from carrying out the call of God. With everything that had and was happening to him he was never ashamed or embarrassed by Christ. He could face the adversity occurring because he had put his total trust in Jesus Christ. It was his belief that God would keep him safe into eternity.

 

1. Why did Paul find himself in prison?
2. Who had been his greatest enemy and was the cause of his imprisonment? (The Jews)
3. How do you think, knowing yourself, you would handle the situation in which Paul found himself?
4. What was the reason that Paul was not ashamed and willing to accept anything he might face?
5. What does the word entrust mean to you? (It is the idea is to place a deposit of something valuable in a very safe place.)
6. If that is true what is the most valuable thing that you have? (Hopefully you will say your life and not something you own.)
7. Who is the only one with whom you would trust what is the most valuable thing to you? Why?
8. How do we know that God is able to guard or keep that valuable secure and safe?

 

2 Timothy 1:13-14

After the short description of Paul’s circumstances, he returns to his instructions for Timothy. He told his young son in Christ to continue to follow the outline or form of the teaching he had received from him. He was saying stay with the basics of the gospel message. Paul certainly did not mean that Timothy was to use the exact words he had spoken because particular circumstances would definitely call for a different approach. He was not to vary however from the truth that had been given to him in the teachings from Paul. He then wanted him to know that the words he had given to Timothy were dependable and trustworthy.

 

Secondly, in what is almost a parallel concept, he told Timothy as God could be trusted to keep the very life Paul had deposited into His hands, he was to faithfully keep the treasure of God’s word in his own life. He would be able to accomplish that task in the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

1. What does it mean to have an outline to follow in teaching? (The gospel tells us that God invaded earth in His Son, Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, was resurrected from the dead, and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God until He returns to take His people home with Him.)
2. Why is it important to follow the teachings of the gospel this way? (Any variance from these facts will lead a person into false teaching.)
3. How will our teaching or sharing of the gospel be different from one another? (Depending on the audience the words and phrasing may be different but the facts will never change.)
4. What do you believe that God has committed to you for safekeeping?
5. What do you think it takes to be faithful in carrying out Paul’s command to Timothy?
6. What effort have you made in your own life to follow the teaching of Paul in these verses?
7. What will it take for you obey them?

 

2 Timothy 1:15-18

In these verses are seen a contrast between people with different mindsets and commitment. The first two Phygelus and Hermogenes had not been able to sustain the allegiance to Paul or the cause of Christ. There was no way of knowing what went through the minds of those two men. They may have become fearful that if the Roman government would arrest someone like Paul they were not strong enough in their faith to face the possible persecution that would surely come associated with him and the church. For whatever reason, Paul was saddened at their departure.

 

Paul then wrote of a man, Onesiphorus, who was so committed to Jesus Christ and Paul’s teachings that he went to great effort to find Paul, even though he knew to do so might lead to his own imprisonment and possibly death. Not only did he locate Paul but, provided for his physical needs but more importantly his need of companionship because Paul felt that he had been completely deserted by those in he had invested much of his life.   The lesson that Paul wanted to drive home again to Timothy that there was a least one man who was not turned off by the circumstances of Paul’s imprisonment. He asked that God pour out blessings upon him and his family and that God remember him for all the service he had rendered to Paul and the people of Ephesus.

 

1. Why do people leave the church?
2. What examples do you see of the people of different mindsets and attitudes in the church today that would match up with those described in these verses?
3. Which do you believe are greater service to the kingdom of God?
4. What are the reasons you feel that way?
5. In what ways can we be a people who provide for the physical, mental and spiritual needs of people in society today?
6. In what ways do we seek them out?
7. How do we minister to those who are different than those who have been in the church for a long time?

 

• Be faithful to the calling which each of us has received from God.
• Read Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:20-21; 1 Peter 1:23 for a picture of the teachings of Paul in Timothy.
• Look for ways to discover the gifts that God has given to you to be used in service to Him.
• Learn the outline for sharing Christ with others. See the lesson for this week to see the outline of the gospel.
• The memory verse for this week is 2 Timothy 1:12

 

We have a great opportunity today to share the good news of Jesus Christ. The world is hurting as never before and needs the message that we have been given to us. Paul’s admonition to Timothy to be bold and to stand up for those in trouble holds true for the church today. Matthew 25:34-40 speaks of the reward for those, who in the name of Christ are not ashamed to minister to the hungry, naked and those in prison. He finished by saying, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 25:40)

 

We can do these things because we have the salvation that can only come through Christ. We know that this is true as we accept the teachings found in the Bible. Our responsibility is to stay true and fulfill the lessons to be learned as we hide the Word in our hearts. The great danger for us and many churches come if we drift off into some false teachings and not maintain what called the outline or form of the good news as presented in the New Testament. Those basis concepts are never to be changed, even though the presentation may vary depending on the circumstances in which they are shared. Let us be forever faithful to the truth found in the Bible and be willing to carry out the mandates that are found there.

 

 

Lesson 1

Foundation for a Strong Life

2 Timothy 1:1-7

 

Having come from a family where spiritual matters did not hold a great importance, I feel like I am always trying to catch up in my personal growth. I cannot ever remember a time when either of my parents ever sat down and read the Bible to my brother or me. In fact I had to actually borrow a Bible to memorize Psalm 100 for a presentation in a citywide meeting. I can only imagine what a household where the Bible held first place in the home. Sadly, I fell down in so many ways in reading to my own children. When I said I am always trying to play catch up it was not until I was in my late twenties that I began to take the study of God’s word seriously. The terms theology, doctrine, apologetics and mentoring were completely foreign to me. From all the information available to us today, it is obvious that a vast majority of church members no matter the age or length of time in church are in the same boat. The real question becomes, If I had been mentored by someone would I have been different? The second question would follow closely behind it, “Who knew what mentoring was all about in the 1940’s – the 1990’s. It has only recently become obvious that there has been a huge hole in the life of the church in the area of discipleship. Much of what I have learned over the years has come from my curiosity and interest in the whole subject of the church. The third question then becomes, “What are we going to do to rectify the shortcomings of the past?”

 

With the statistic that the number of young people leaving the church today hovering around 80 percent, what are we doing to stem the tide? We can keep on doing what we have for the last sixty years or we can wait up and began changing the trend around to a more positive number. It is difficult to break out of the malaise in which we find ourselves but it can be done. If we do there is a strong possibility that we can begin to produce more young men and women of the caliber of Timothy in the church. One thing we cannot do is to ignore the situation any longer. Time is not on our side. If we continue on the path that is now prevalent in many churches we will see the body of Christ become weaker and weaker.

 

In “Kingdom Education” by Glen Schultz the metaphor is used to describe how to train of a child in a godly fashion. He said that education is like a three-legged stool that must have the legs of family, church and school working together to produce a strong young Christian. For any of those three components to be missing lessens what Paul would call the mentoring of a person. Only two of those in today’s society are truly working together. The public schools are no longer partners with the church and family. This means that we must not fall short of our responsibility to help grow spiritually healthy people.

 

As shared last week, one important theme throughout the book of 2 Timothy is the mentoring of those under our care. Paul emphasized this speaking of both his background and Timothy’s.

 

2 Timothy 1:1

It may seem strange that Paul would write about his apostleship. It must be remembered like all of his other letters he fully expected this one to be shared with not only the members of the church at Ephesus but other ones in Asia Minor. He wanted to make sure that all who heard the words of this letter understood that his authority came from none other than God Himself. It was God’s desire for Paul to be His witness everywhere he went. His message was always the assurance of the salvation found in Christ which he had discovered on the Damascus Road thirty some years earlier.

 

1. Why did Paul once again open a personal letter by identifying himself as an apostle? (Other people, than Timothy would read the letter.)
2. How would you fill in the blank, I have been called to be a _____________________ by the will of God? (Each of us has been called to a certain place of ministry according to our gifts, personality, passions, abilities and experiences. If you do not know what these are, avail yourselves of the opportunity to discover them.)
3. What was the message Paul preached and taught everywhere he went?
4. In what ways are we given opportunity to do the same?

 

2 Timothy 1:2

Even though the letter would be shared with others it was specifically addressed to Timothy. Although Timothy was not his son by birth, he considered him as his beloved son. His greeting of Grace, mercy and peace was only used in 1Timothy.

The meaning of those words is:

• Grace is a gift of undeserved favor from God. By it one receives salvation.
• Mercy is God giving to man what he does not deserves as opposed to justice in which God would give what man truly deserves. What man deserves is death because God must judge sin because of His pure and holy nature.
• Peace is for one’s well being in a world that is in turmoil and presents danger to the believer.

 

1. Why would Paul call Timothy, his beloved son? (Their relationship in Christ was much stronger and deeper than the bond of even a blood relative. They had experience many things together out of which the deep relationship had developed.)
2. What is the source of grace, mercy and peace?
3. What do each of those terms mean to man?
4. In what ways do you believe that God has given you those three things?
5. How do you know that you do not deserve to have been given them?

 

2 Timothy 1:3

As he does in all of his letters he expresses a love for the recipients because of the relationship that God has allowed him to have with them. He was not always pleased with their actions but he always loved them through Christ. He then went on to say that his service of God has always been one of integrity. Even when he was persecuting the church he believed with all of his heart that he was doing the right thing based on the foundation of Judaism that he had learned from those in his family who had served before him. His previous life was lived in ignorance of whom Christ was and what He came to do for mankind. Once he met Christ on the Road to Damascus he never waivered in his devotion. Paul was truly thankful for God bringing he and Timothy together. Timothy was never far from Paul’s mind as he consistently prayed for him. Not only did he pray for the young man but wanted to see him again for sometime had passed since he left Timothy at Ephesus. Between the two men there was a great affection. When Paul left him there were tears shed at the separation and in those perilous times there was never a guarantee that they would meet up in this life. To be together again would bring great joy to Paul.

 

1. For what was Paul thankful? (The relationship he had with Timothy.)
2. How could Paul say that he had served with a clear conscience as his ancestors had when he had been a persecutor of the church? (He believed that he was following the teachings of Judaism and was against anyone who seemingly broke the law.)
3. Why did Paul speak of his ancestors? (The foundation that they provided had brought him to the place of where Christ could build on those teachings and used them to reach the world.)
4. In what ways have your families been a positive or negative influence in your life?
5. How can Christ use even the less than best circumstances in service to Him?
6. What do the words Paul had for Timothy say about their relationship?
7. What were the things Paul shared that would be an encouragement to him?

 

2 Timothy 1:5

The one thing, of which Paul was sure, concerning Timothy, was the young man’s faith. He had no doubt from all they experienced together that Timothy was a true follower of Christ. He went on to say that he knew that the teachings and deep faith of his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice had been influential in his life. As was seen in the book of Acts, his father was a Greek but it was the women in his life that had had the greatest impact on the direction he took in following Jesus.

 

1. How could Paul be sure of Timothy’s faith?
2. What obstacles may have been in the way of Timothy coming to Christ? (His father was a Greek and most likely a pagan.)
3. Why were Lois and Eunice able to be such a great influence in Timothy’s life? (Not said but we can definitely see the Holy Spirit defeating the influence of the father and drawing Timothy to the truth he would have seen in the teachings and faith of the women in his life.)
4. Who or what have been obstacles in your life that may have kept you from coming to Jesus?
5. Who has been that influential person in your life that helped you overcome any obstacles in your path to Christ?
6. Why is the foundation that Timothy had in his home life so important in our growth as Christians?

 

2 Timothy 1:6

Whenever a person becomes a reborn follower of Christ he or she receives at least one spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit. As a person grows in maturity in the faith so does the gift become stronger. Timothy, from all indications had been given the gifts of pastor/teacher and ministry. In fighting the fires taking place in Ephesus he may have begun to neglect his gifts. Paul gently called on Timothy to refocus and stir up and regain his passion for the ministry for which God had gifted him to accomplish. The verse brings to mind a picture of a person tending a fire in a fireplace. Left unintended the flames eventually will begin to die down and the fire must be stirred up to give it the air it needs to keep burning. Paul was putting in the poker and calling Timothy to get on fire once again in spite of persecution and controversy taking place all around him.

 

1. What may have been some of the issues in the church that may have caused Paul to call Timothy to a new passion for the work?
2. What are the kinds of things that can wear you down as you try to live a Christian life and serve Christ?
3. What is the danger of allowing the gift of God has given you to begin to lose in its power in your life?
4. How does a person keep the gift given to him or her strong?
5. How are you using the gifts God has given you?
6. How can you once again regain the passion for serving Christ?

 

2 Timothy 1:7

Based on the reality of Timothy’s faith and giftedness Paul reminds him that timidity is the opposite of those characteristics. With the realization that he may never see his mentor again may have caused Timothy to become somewhat anxious in light of a future dealing with the obstacles alone. Satan uses the tool of fear or timidity to paralyze a follower of Christ keeping him from serving God. Man’s understanding of what God provides will help him overcome the fear or being timid. God has given every believer, including Timothy:

• Power that is greater than anything the devil may try to bring into a person’s life.
• God’s kind of love which allows the follower to overcome every circumstance and keeps one from wanting to take revenge even on one’s enemies.
• Discipline and self-control that would allow Timothy to stay focused the ministry he had been given and not other things that would distract him. He lived in a dangerous world but the only thing that would under mind what Christ was doing in his life was the fear of the unknown over which he had no control anyway.

 

1. What are the things of which you are fearful?
2. Which of those are bigger and more powerful than God?
3. Why do we allow those things to control us?
4. Why do you find it difficult to have a godly love operating in your life?
5. Why does Paul call Timothy to have that kind of love? (His enemies could not cause him to act in an ungodly way thus gaining victory over him. To love one’s enemies allows God to possibly work in their hearts when we are willing to treat them with kindness and prayer for them.)
6. Why is discipline and self-control important in one’s life? (It allows a person to stay focused on those things and people that are a priority.)

 

• Each week I am going to share a Scripture from the lesson that I believe you can use for memorization and reflection. This week look at 2 Timothy 1:5-7 that speaks of faith and the importance of family in its development.
• Encourage someone this week who may be going through a difficult time and pray for them the entire week at whenever they come to mind.
• Discover and begin using your spiritual gift or gifts in service for God’s kingdom.
• Using the example of the three legged stool make sure you are doing your part in the spiritual growth of young people. Your involvement may be as a church leader, parent or school teacher/administrator.

 

The world of Paul and Timothy was not so much different than the one in which we live. Probably the one area with which we can most identify is the proliferation of false teaching inside and outside the church. For that reason it all the more imperative that all of us do all in our power to encourage and provide the foundation for each of us no matter what the age or position to face the enemy of the church. It is becomes more difficult the further we get away from the time when the Bible was written and taught by the eyewitnesses of the actual events. We must ever watchful against the things that will destroy the credibility of the church. Paul had to encourage and admonish Timothy to stay strong. It is our responsibility today to heed those same words. It will only happen as we continue to study God’s word and disciple those during the time we have been given. The next generation of believers can only be as strong as the one preceding it. Weak doctrine will lead to a diminished faith.

 

Paul said that God does expect us to be timid and fearful. God has given us so much more. He has given us his power to face the enemy. Also He provided us with the ability to love all kinds of people with His love. Finally we can develop a lifestyle of discipline and self control so that we can stay focused on what is important. Our vision statement clearly expresses what Paul was saying to Timothy. We are called to be disciples who makes disciples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

2 Timothy

 

I have often wondered what I would say to my family if I knew that I was going to die within a short period of time. Sometime ago there was a movie titled, “The Ultimate Gift.” In it James Garner played the grandfather of a spoiled and angry young man. Garner evidently saw potential in him that he did not see in his own sons. His grandfather put him through a number of difficult situations to test his character. One included going to the site in Central America where his father had died in a plane crash. While there he was taken prisoner by some gorilla fighters. He finally escaped. After all of the trials the young man proved to be the man his grandfather thought he was capable of being. Subsequently, he became the head of a billion dollar corporation.

 

As I have studied this particular book one thought has struck me. There is not a cohesive teaching as much as we see a man trying to put down in writing everything he wants his son in the faith might need to hear to carry the work after Paul was gone. When I was writing more because I had the time to do so I would do what I called a mind dump. Without regard to punctuation or even the best formation of ideas I would just input material as it came to me. I knew that later on I would be able to edict the material to make it presentable. Most of you who are teachers have seen some of this in the unedited Bible Study lessons sent out each week.

 

The church can sometimes forget that those who we are trying to disciple need a cohesive and systematic way of understanding God’s word. We can have a hodgepodge of programs or activities that can be more confusing than helpful. Teachers need to be able to present in a clear way what God’s word has to say. One of the resources I read said of 2 Timothy that it was difficult to divide the book into sections of thoughts. Paul jumps from one thought to another as he tried to cover all of the bases.

 

It is easy to understand why Paul presented the material the way he did. Unlike 1 Timothy which was written between 63-65 AD after he had been released from his first arrest. He had every hope to be able to spend some time with his protégé. 2 Timothy was written under much different circumstances. Paul had travelled about on what was his fourth missionary trip. One phase of that trip carried him to Ephesus where he had left Timothy to continue to straighten out some problems and provide leadership and instruction for the church.

 

At the time of 2 Timothy Paul found himself again in the prison called Mamertine. He had been arrested once again in about 65 AD. To see where he was imprisoned go to Google. There are a number of pictures there, showing the actual place scholars believe Paul was incarcerated. It basically was an underground hole in the ground with no windows and would have been cold, dark, damp and rat infested. It would be his final home before his execution by beheading in the time period 66-67 AD outside the city on what is known as the Appian Way.

Knowing his time may be short we can understand the urgency he must have felt in writing the letter. It was meant to be a letter of the following themes:

 

• Encouragement: 1:1-5
• Exhortation and instruction: 1: 6-13; 2:1-7, 22-23; 3:10-11, 14-15
• Warning: 1: 15-18; 2:16-18; 4:5, 14-15
• Paul’s status: 2:8-10; 4:6-8,
• Christ’s work in the world: 2:10-13; 19
• Ministry: 2:10, 14-15, 22-26; 4:2, 5
• Christian lifestyle: 2:19-21
• Coming Apostasy 3:1-9, 13; 4:3-4
• Coming persecution of the church: 3:12
• Primacy of God’s word: 2:9, 15; 3:14—17
• Indication of Paul’s loneliness and need of companionship: 4:9-13, 16
• Faith: 1:12-13; 4:7-8,18
• Benediction: 4:19-22

 

Following are some verses you may want to use as memory verses over the next several weeks:

 

• 1:6
• 1:12-13
• 2:1-2 (Fits in with our vision statement.)
• 2:9 (Short but powerful)
• 2:15
• 2:22 (Especially for the youth but for all of us.)
• 2:24-25
• 3:14-15
• 3:16-17
• 4:2 (Especially for teachers)
• 4:5
• 4:7-8 (We should always be prepared to meet God no matter what the age. We can fight the good fight at all times of our life.)

 

You may not have time to use all of these but can select the ones or different ones that mean something to you.

 

• Remember this book is a message for all different times especially the day in which we live.
• 2 Timothy is especially applicable to the young people of today as they face difficulties with which many adults have never had to deal.

 

 

Lesson 6

The Godly Life

1 Timothy 6:1-21

 

What is truth? That is the question Pontius Pilate asked two thousand years ago. I feel I must in my own life be vigilant in the things I read and study. There is so much written today and on television that sounds so good but has lies imbedded in the message presented by men for their own benefit. As has been shared before I take great care in the authors I read. My approach has always been to read books and articles recommended by people I trust to share the truth. Some of my favorite authors are people like Dallas Willard, C.S. Lewis, Ravi Zacharias, and Billy Graham just to name a few. The writings of these men have stood the test of time. Many were written before I was born and are still used to proclaim the truth to the world.

 

From the very beginning of Christianity men like Augustine, Policarp, Origen and Eusebieus have made sure, even at the cost of their lives, that we have the truth of God today. As a teacher it is my responsibility to share only the truth with those who listen to what I share. I have spent a lot of time reading material that verifies the accuracy of the Bible. One of the books that I believe presented the information was one written by Randall Price, who at the time of the publication of his book, “Searching for the Original Bible,” was a professor at Liberty University. My plans are to build on that evidence with further reading and research.

 

All of this is done, not for the knowledge in itself, but for growth in my relationship with the Father through His Son. We are to be disciples of the truth our entire lives.

 

Every speaker who stands in the pulpit today has the responsibility to carry on the tradition of the apostles and the early church fathers. They made every effort to make sure that their audience heard the full accurate counsel of God. The messengers of God need to make sure that they do not bring discredit to the reputations of all those who have sacrificed so much so that we can share God’s infallible word today. This will become more and more difficult as the world continues to water down what church members hear today. Popularity is too great a price to pay for misleading maybe millions astray every Sunday. By holding to the truth ourselves we can know when we are being fed a twisted message. Paul has spent a whole book instructing Timothy how to maintain his integrity and the truthfulness of the word as it was presented to the church at Ephesus.

 

1 Timothy 6:1-2

In the early church the majority of members were slaves. The Roman Empire was made up of over sixty million slaves which was about eighty or more percent of the total population. As he did in these verses, Paul never spoke against those in authority. He wanted Christians to set examples for others by obeying their master in every way even if they belonged to those who were harsh. He never wanted them to do anything that would reflect poorly on the church. The one exception to total obedience was any circumstance when those in authority required a person to do something that violated the words of God. The early church got into trouble by refusing to declare, “Caesar is Lord.” One factor that may have gone into Paul’s thinking was the fact that any uprising would bring about strong action by the government, even to the complete destruction of the church.

 

1. Why did Paul call the Christians to obey their masters?
2. What was one danger in a situation where both were believers? (The slave might think that he could get away with not serving the master fully.)
3. What might have happened to the church if they had rebelled against the government?
4. Who are those in authority in your life?
5. How do you relate to those in authority in your life?

 

1 Timothy 6:3-5

Paul returns to the problem that was pervasive throughout society in that day. For selfish reasons their teachings did not line with the doctrine found in God’s word. They spent their time arguing and discussing minor points that had nothing to do with God’s kingdom and the work that Jesus had done in the lives of people. One of those issues may have revolved around the authenticity of the salvation of the Gentiles because they did not follow the Jewish law.

 

There were also philosopher’s who travelled around from church to church who tried to gain disciples who would finance them. There was a movie many years ago titled “Elmer Gantry” who was a charlatan using Christianity for his own personal gain and immoral behavior. These men were arrogant who distained those who disagreed with them. From their discussions came envy, strife abusive language and evil suspicions. These were men who did not know the truth and used their talk of God to get rich. In many of his debates the atheist, Christopher Hitchens, was known to try to intimidate his opponent by losing control of himself, yelling and using other tactics.

 

1. What was one of the problems prevalent in the early church? (false doctrine.)
2. Who were those who used churches for personal gain? (Philosophers)
3. What do philosophers do? (Supposedly to discover truth by logically discussing issues.)
4. How do we recognize those who are not teaching the truth?
5. How did they attempt to use religious discussions? (For monetary gain.)

 

1 Timothy 6:6-8

While the false teachers were only after monetary security, the true follower of Christ found contentment in his or relationship with god. The one fact that is true of every person as even Job understood, no one brings anything material into this life and there is nothing physical that will go with him beyond death. That is the main reason the follower of Christ had the right perspective in life. Their joy came from serving God and being satisfied with what they had been given by God. The two things Paul specifically mentioned were food and shelter, which included clothing.

 

1. What was the difference between those philosophers and true followers of Christ? (Philosophers did not find contentment in their endeavors.)
2. What is the believer to pursue? (godliness)
3. What does he gain from his endeavors? (contentment)
4. What is the one thing that is true of every human being?
5. Why does Paul specifically mention as those things needed by each of us?
6. What brings contentment in your life?

 

1 Timothy 6:9-10

It is to be understood that physical possessions in themselves are neither good nor bad. Paul is talking about the point at which those things money etc. become the dominating and controlling factor in one’s life. It is a fact that for those who make money their god they never can have enough, which ultimately leads to destruction of mind, heart and soul. Many reach a point of having no regard for anyone or anything else and will stop at nothing to acquire. There are a number of examples like Howard Hughes and Barbara Hutton who died lonely miserable lives. Paul had already given the opposite of these results found in those who were satisfied with little received with thanks.

 

1. Why does man have such an insatiable desire to get things?
2. What does the word insatiable mean? (Never satisfied with what you already have.)
3. What happens so often in the lives who gain great wealth?
4. Who are some examples of those who had great wealth but had nothing else?
5. What did Paul say was the benefit of those who lived lives with food and shelter?
6. In what ways do you struggle with these two ideas?

 

1 Timothy 6:11

Timothy here is called a man of God. It is fitting that he should receive this honorable title because of his total commitment to the ways of God. It was also a way for Paul to give encouragement to his young friend. There are certain things that a man of God must not only turn his back on but to run away from them as fast as he can. Putting those things out of his mind he is to instead of dwell on those characteristics of one committed to God. He is to give his attention to the pursuit of

• Righteousness – Giving to both man and God what they are due.
• Godliness – Reverence to God. A man who understands that everyday he lives is in the presence of God
• Faith – Total fidelity and trust in God
• Love – God’s kind of love. The word agape is used for this type of love.
• Perseverance – It is a victorious endurance not a passive one where man just waits for things to happen to him.
• Gentleness – Meekness is the tension between excesses in one’s life. It is a man under perfect control no matter what the circumstance.

 

1. What does it mean to be called a man of God?
2. Who are some other examples in the Bible? (Moses for one (Deuteronomy 33:1)
3. What are the qualities of such a man?
4. What is to be our attitude towards those things that would entrap us in this world?
5. What are the characteristics that each of us is to pursue?
6. What do we need to be able to become that kind of person?

 

1 Timothy 6:12-15a

Not only was Timothy not to become discouraged, but also was to press forward with the battle of faith against the false teachers who turned their lives over to Satan. He was to hold fast to the eternal life to which he had been called and received. He had declared his allegiance to God before many witnesses.

 

Paul once again reminds Timothy of his declaration had been made in the presence of God who is the giver of eternal life and Jesus Christ who declared before Pontius Pilate He was King of a greater kingdom than Rome.

 

Timothy was to keep the command that he had been given faithfully and in purity until Christ returned. Christ would return at the right time.

 

1. What was to be Timothy’s marching orders?
2. Who would be the enemy against whom he would do battle?
3. Why did Paul command him to hold to the eternal life he had been given? (The battle was going to be difficult and sometimes it is easier to give up than to move forward.)
4. Who would Timothy be letting down if he failed? (All those who heard his profession of faith and Jesus Christ his Lord and King.)
5. Why did Paul speak of the confession Jesus made? (In the face of a very difficult time Jesus stayed true to who He was.)
6. Why did Paul mention the return of Christ? (There was hope at the end of the battle.)

 

1 Timothy 6:15-16

Paul went on to share attributes of the Christ who was to return at the proper time. He was the:

• Blessed One
• Only Sovereign
• King of Kings
• Lord of Lords
• Possessor of immortality
• Who dwells in an unapproachable light, which has not been seen by man nor can he see it. There are two examples of this brightness surrounding Jesus. They are found in the accounts of the transfiguration and the blinding light at Paul’s conversion.

 

The only fitting conclusion to all Paul has just said was “To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

 

1. What was the importance to what Paul was saying to Timothy? (He served an awesome Savior.)
2. What do those characteristics say to you?
3. What does it mean to say that Jesus is surrounded by an unapproachable light? (He is too much to take in to our minds.)
4. What do you think of Paul’s concluding remark?

 

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Timothy was to give instruction to those who were wealthy, so they would not be lost because of their wealth. They were to:

• Place their hope on the eternal and not the temporal which they could not take with them anyway beyond this life.
• Understand that it is God who provides that which those things that bring true joy.
• Do good
• Be rich in good works
• Be generous
• Be ready to share
• Store up treasure in heaven
• Take hold of eternal life instead of those things of this world.

 

1. What did Paul want to happen to those who had many possessions?
2. How were they to view their wealth?
3. How could they use it for good?
4. How would their attitude towards the wealth determine there relationship with God?
5. How are we to treat our possessions?
6. What is the most important treasure you possess?
7. Where do you keep it?

 

1 Timothy 6:20-21

One last encouragement and instruction was given to Timothy. Guard carefully what you have been given. He was not get caught up in all of the useless conversation that was taking place in the church. Most arguments stem from the fact that one or the other party does not have any knowledge in a particular subject. That is why it is fruitless to “cast pearls before the swine.” Matthew 7:6 Those who are without knowledge had gone astray from the faith.

 

Paul ends his letter with a blessing on Timothy. He in essence was calling for God’s continued good favor to fall on his son in Christ.

 

1. What does it mean to guard something?
2. What was Timothy to guard?
3. What good would come of getting involved in fruitless chatter?
4. What is the relationship of those without knowledge with God?
5. What do you think of the way Paul ended his letter?
6. What did it show about his relationship with Timothy?

 

• Each day is to be spent as a slave of God obeying and glorifying by our actions and words.
• Work as unto the Lord knowing that each of us has someone in authority over us.
• Although said many times the Bible is to be the standard by which you are to live. Therefore time must be spent in it everyday to grow in the knowledge of God.
• Learn to be content in all areas of your life.
• Understand there are many false teachers out in the world whose only desire is to enslave you to their teachings.
• Encourage others so that they will not stumble in their walk with the Lord.

 

The leaders of the church have an awesome responsibility to proclaim on the truth from God’s word to those who are followers of Jesus. The only way that this can be done is if each of them is a student of the Bible. God made it very clear the importance of His word in John 17:17 where Jesus speaking of his disciples in the high priestly prayer said, “Sanctify them in your word, Your word is truth.” He was saying that each of them was to be consecrated and set apart for the ministry of the infallible word of God. Anyone who follows of these words will produce true followers of Christ. Paul gave us the instructions to bring about such and end. If we but listen to his words of encouragement we can be victorious over the enemy who is out to destroy the church. Anything other than the authoritative word of God is false. We are to be a church that holds that fact to be true.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 5

The Importance of Relationships

1 Timothy 5:1-25

 

One of the most difficult decisions that families have to make today is what to do for aging parents. Unlike years ago many are not in the position to take that parent into their homes because both husband and wife work. Another problem comes when the children have medical issues themselves. My brother and I recently faced a similar situation. Our mother reached a point that she could no longer take care of herself. She still however wanted her independence, which was not possible because she could no longer drive. Within a year of moving her into an assisted living facility she declined to the point where she needed twenty-four hours care. Fortunately, we found a place that was able to tend to her in the way that my family was not able to do because of the severity of her condition. Of course we asked ourselves were we doing the best for her. That thought surely goes through the mind of millions of families every single year. Each of those families has to weigh all of the issues before making a decision. I could go on and on about what to do. One thing is for sure that all of us will reach a time when our own children will face the same dilemma.

 

How does the church figure in all of this? Today we pretty much leave the treatment of widows to their families which is according to the Bible is the proper thing to do. However, we also do not feel any responsibility towards those who have no one else to help them. We have pretty much abdicated our need to help widows often leaving them to take care of themselves. When all else fails the last option is sometimes going into facilities run by the government. All of this indicates that whether we agree with all of the means to provide for the elderly there is a safety net that was not available in the time when Paul wrote to Timothy.

 

1 Timothy 5:1-2

In these two verses Paul deals with the way Timothy is to treat every age group under his watch. He had already dealt with the way the young man should view his own role. The church was not to demean him because of his youthfulness. Now the tables are turned. He then indicated the way he was to deal with each age group and gender in the church.

 

One of the things that is lacking, even in the church, is respect for those who are older or in position of authority. Paul commanded Timothy to look at older men in the way one would look at his own father. He was never to harshly criticize such a man. Other words that might be used would be condemnation, denunciation, censure and reprimand.

 

He then called him to work with those about his age, as brothers. Older women were to be viewed in the same way he would his own mother Eunice. Younger women were to be seen as sisters. The term used was purity to describe his interaction with them. This meant that his thoughts were to be not focused on the physical, which would lead to trouble. They were to be seen as a holy child of God. He was also to be protective of their reputations.

 

1. How do we show respect for those older than we?
2. What are the ways we indicate we do not have regard for those who are older or in positions of authority over us?
3. In what ways do you set an example for those who are your brothers in Christ?
4. How can our behavior hurt our witness and cause others to turn their backs on Christ?
5. What is to be our behavior in the presence of those of the opposite sex?
6. How do we keep from hurting the view that others have of the church in this regard?

 

1 Timothy 5:3-5

There was an issue that was prevalent because of the disregard the pagan world had for those who had no family. He laid out how the widows were to be treated based on their particular situations. Before the church became involved there were certain facts that needed to be addressed. If the women had children or grand- children they were to provide for the widow. This is the way according to Paul that God wanted it.

 

There was also the woman who was totally alone and trusted God for her provisions. She had proven her character by her actions. She was a prayer warrior. An example of that kind of woman was Anna, who Luke wrote about in Luke 2:36-39.

 

1. Why did Paul feel it necessary to speak to the issue of widowhood?
2. What is the characteristics of a widow who should receive support from the church?
3. Who should have responsibility for widows before the church gets involved?
4. Who is an example of the kind of person the church would be called on to support? (Anna in Luke 2:36-39)
5. What are the ways a church can support widows?

 

1 Timothy 5:6-7

Just the opposite of the widow described above is the one who upon becoming a widow began to live an ungodly worldly life. One commentator compared such a woman with the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. The word used here is wanton which means uncontrolled and undisciplined life. Her emotions would determine decisions made in opposition to God. Paul considered such women as dead to the faith. Timothy was to confront the one who lived in that way.

 

1. How is this woman different than the one mentioned in verses 3-5?
2. What does it mean to live a wanton life? (to be undisciplined and without control in her actions)
3. How did Paul view this woman?
4. In what ways have you done those things described by the word “wanton?”
5. Who was another example of a person who lived this way? (The prodigal son.)

 

1 Timothy 5:8

Returning to the support a widow was to receive. The family that did not take care of its own, had hardened its heart toward someone in need. John wrote about this in 1 John 2:9-11. If a person does not love his family enough to take care of them then he or she does not love God.

 

1. Why does Paul speak so strongly against those who not provide for its family? (It is a strong indication of the lack of love.)
2. What does John calls us to do in 1 John 2:9-11)
3. How do we fail to show love to our Christian family?

 

1 Timothy 5:9-10

Paul went on to give the characteristic of the woman he considered to be a true widow. They were to be:

• Over 60 years old. Not particularly looking to get married and would be a position to serve.
• The wife of one man.
• One who had a reputation for good works
• A mother or one who had taken in unwanted children.
• One who showed hospitality to strangers. Important because the inns of those days were dangerous, dirty, expensive and immoral places.
• One who washed the feet of saints. Had a servant’s heart.
• One who assisted those in distress
• One who had devoted herself to every good work.

 

1. What do the characteristics listed by Paul show us about these women?
2. Why were they so important? (Showed the true heart of the woman)
3. Which of these stand out as an example of what the church can do today?
4. Which of them may match up with a spiritual gift you believe God has given you?

 

1 Timothy 5:11-15

In contrast to the description given to the women above those under 60 were disqualified from being in the roles of widows. Following are the reason they were to be excluded. All had to do with the fact that those women could possibly consider remarrying if the opportunity presented itself. By doing so they would walk away from the commitment to serve they had previously made. With time on their hands they might then become idol gossips and busybodies.

 

To keep from being caught up in that kind of sinful behavior, Paul encouraged the younger women to marry, have children and spend time taking care of her household. The devil then would not find fertile ground for bringing reproach on herself.   There was already examples in Ephesus of women to taken the wrong path away from Christ to follow Satan.

 

1. Why did Paul exclude women under 60 from the list of widows?
2. What did Paul call her to do?
3. Why was this command a positive thing in the lives of these women? (The life of anyone is to be filled with something. To be idle opened the door for Satan to come into a life)
4. How did Paul know that it could happen?
5. What are the things you do to keep Satan from gaining a foothold in your life?

 

1 Timothy 5:16

If a woman agrees to take care of other widows, Paul warns that they are to follow through on their commitment. To do so allowed the church to provide for those who were really in need.

 

1. Why was it important for a person follow through on the commitment to take care of widows?
2. Why is it important for you to follow through on commitments that you have made?
3. What happens when we you neglect to be responsible?

 

1 Timothy 5:17-18

The Elder, overseer was to receive honor from the church. If they were involved in the teaching and preaching they were to be paid for their services. The reference to the ox was found in Deuteronomy 25:4. The ox was allowed to eat the grain that it was helping to be threshed. The one who preached was certainly equal to but in reality provided a greater service to those among whom they worked.

 

1. Who would be considered the elder who receives payment for his service?
2. Why do they receive a salary?
3. What did Paul mean by his reference to the ox on the threshing floor?
4. What is the reward others receive for their service in the church?

 

1 Timothy 5:19

Paul applies the principle found in the Old Testament. No man was to be declared guilty of an act without the testimony of at least two witnesses. The Roman also used this idea in their justice system. Here is one of the great dangers of the church. Many a church leader has been dismissed and possibly had his ministry destroyed on the basis of one person having an agenda against him. A church that will allow this practice to go on is one where God cannot be at work. These are strong words, but the Old Testament idea of not touching the anointed of God holds sway.

 

One advantage of the Elder team approach is the practice of each man holding all of the others accountable for his actions and words. This will hopefully stop anyone individual from causing damage to the reputation of a leader.

1. Why was it necessary to present this principle here? (The false teachers had little regard for him.)
2. What other examples can be found where the destructive criticism of one man caused problems? (3 John is one. Corinthians was written partially to speak to those trying to undermine Paul’s work. Jesus was basically condemned on the testimony of Judas in the betrayal.)
3. How can we stop that sort of activity if it should arise in our church?
4. What do you see as one of the advantages of the elder team approach to church leadership?

 

1 Timothy 5:20-22

Nearing the end of his instructions Paul gives some sundry commands that cover different topics. They include:

• Calling attention to those who continue to live in sin so others will be fearful of following the actions of those people.
• Maintaining the principles he has laid out in this letter before God
• Not acting in a way that is partial to any one person or groups of people.
• Taking his time in commissioning a person to ministry. If that person fails then it looks bad for Timothy.

 

1. What is the way a man should be disciplined in the church? (See Matthew 18:15-17)
2. Why was Timothy to follow what Paul had said in this letter? (Sound advice to help him lead the church.)
3. Why are we not to show partially to one group over another?
4. Why is it a problem to put a person in a position of leadership until he has proven himself in service?
5. Why is a secular resume not always a good indication of a person being able to lead effectively in a church?

 

1 Timothy 5:23

Evidently Timothy was not a strong person and was sick often. Bodily weakness can often affect the way one serves. Paul was giving his protégé a remedy to help him continue in the work.

 

1. What affect can bodily weakness, including a person’s mental state, have on his ability to serve?
2. What did this one verse say about Paul’s relationship to Timothy?
3. How do we encourage those involved in the service of the church?
4. How do we show that we care about their physical, mental and spiritual state?
5. Why is it so important to do so?

 

1 Timothy 5:24-25

There is a contrast between sins and good deeds. Both of them will be evident before men. Sin leads to judgment. It will also continue to cause those who come after the sinner to stumble and fall. On the other hand good deeds are also evident to the benefit to all who sees them.

 

1. In a person’s life what will become evident to others? (sin and good deeds.)
2. What are the results of the one who sins? (Judgment and misleading others to follow.
3. What are the results in a person’s life of performing good deeds? (They also will be evident leading to others following behind in the same manner of conduct.)
4. Which of these two reflect your life?
5. Why is it so important to expose those who continue to live in sin?

 

• Before speaking to someone, slow down and think how you would want to be treated if you were older, younger, male or female and treat the other person accordingly. It will take practice but it can be done.
• Keep yourself pure in your relationship with those of the opposite sex. Remember especially for men remember that the girl is a daughter or sister of someone else and put yourself in the position of that father or brother.
• Be willing to help provide for those who are truly in need. Remember it may cost time and money but the reward of knowing that you have loved your neighbor as yourself will be well worth the effort.
• Pray for others in who are going through difficult times and then put your prayers into action.

 

We may not be faced with all of the situations about which Paul spoke in this lesson. As mentioned in the first section somehow churches have gotten away from personal involvement with those in need. There are so many parachurch organizations that provide services that we forget that there are those within our church family who are in need of physical and spiritual help. Part of the ministry is to determine who has genuine needs and give support to them.

 

The other lesson that we can glean from this lesson is how we can make progress in being a unified body. This of course depends on the way we view each other from the leadership all the way to the guest that honors us with his or her attendance. We know the enemy we face should not be from within the body of believers. Having a common adversary is to draw us closer to each other in brotherly love. Yes, we may have strong open discussions among ourselves but in the end we come together to reach a world that so desperately has what we have to offer. There is no other place where the good news of Jesus Christ can be taught. No other organization can offer salvation for the soul. None of that can or will happen unless we are of one mind, body and spirit with Christ. This is the goal to which we are to strive to accomplish.