1. If you knew you had a short time to live, what would you want to communicate to loved ones?

Transcription

1 2 Timothy 1:1-18 November 9, If you knew you had a short time to live, what would you want to communicate to loved ones? 2. Read 2 Timothy 1:1-2. Paul writes a second letter to Timothy. How does Paul describe himself? 3. Read all of chapter 1 slowly and thoughtfully. What seems to you to be the tone of Paul s letter? 4. Read verses 3-6 again. Count the words associated with remind or remember in these verses. List the things Paul is recalling. Why do you think Paul is sharing these memories with Timothy? In what ways have you encouraged someone or been encouraged by someone with memories? 5. Read verse 7. Think back on what you have learned about Timothy and his ministry in Ephesus. What are some things that could have made Timothy fearful? What causes you to lack courage or become embarrassed as you seek to live for Christ?

2 2 Timothy 1:1-18 November 9, 2016 Page 2 6. Read verse 7 again. In what three ways does God s Spirit enable us to combat our fear or timidity? Pick one of the three and give a practical example of how the Holy Spirit might use that to combat your lack of courage. For insight read Matthew 10:18-20; Ephesians 1:19-20; 3:19-20; Romans 5:5 and 1 John 4: Read 2 Timothy 1:8-12. What enables Paul to suffer for the gospel according to verse 8? In verse 12, why does Paul say he is not ashamed of his suffering for the gospel? Read and summarize what we learn from the following verses about suffering for our faith in Jesus. Matthew 5:11-12 John 16:1-4, 33 Romans 5:3-5 1 Peter 4:12-14 What are some ways we might suffer for the gospel in this day and time?

3 2 Timothy 1:1-18 November 9, 2016 Page 3 8. Read 2 Timothy 1:9-10. Paul gives several essentials of the gospel message of Jesus Christ. One essential truth is Jesus abolished death and brought life. Read the following verses and then explain how Jesus destroyed death and brought life and immortality: Luke 24:1-8; John 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:49-57 and Hebrews 2: How has this reality changed your life? 9. What is Paul encouraging Timothy to do in 2 Timothy 1:13-14? Why are faith and love in Christ Jesus necessary for sound teaching? Who is helping Timothy and us today with protecting the truth? See also John 16: Think for a minute of some practical ways you can protect the truth of the gospel. Please share. 10. What is the situation Paul describes in 2 Timothy 1:15? In contrast, Paul describes Onesiphorus in verses Record two or three positive qualities you see in Onesiphorus. 11. How important are loyal Christian friends in encouraging you as you walk with Jesus? Share some ways they encourage you. 12. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?

4 2 Timothy 2:1-26 November 16, Consider a difficult personal experience in which you persevered to the end. What motivated you to endure? What strengthened you along the way? 2. Read 2 Timothy 2:1-7. Nearing the end of his life, Paul is transferring the ministry of the church to the next generations. From 2 Timothy 2:1; Philippians 4:13 and Colossians 1:28-29 describe the source of Timothy s strength. What other instructions does Paul give in 2 Timothy 2:2 and what is the purpose of this instruction? 3. With three examples in verses 3-6, Timothy is encouraged to expect and endure hardships. In each example, what kind of person is described and what must they do to accomplish their goal? From these examples, what can you personalize and apply to your own life that will help you persevere in your faith? 4. Read 2 Timothy 2:8-13. In verse 8, what is Timothy reminded of about Jesus? Who is now bound with chains? What can never be bound? In verse 10, what is the reason and hope that allows Paul to endure?

5 2 Timothy 2:1-26 November 16, 2016 Page 2 5. In 2 Timothy 2:11-13, Paul reminds Timothy of four eternal realities that encourage endurance. Read the additional verses and describe each reality: If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him (Romans 6:4-8) If we endure, we will also reign with Him (Romans 8:17; Revelation 3:21) If we deny Him, He also will deny us (Matthew 10:33) If we are faithless, He remains faithful for He cannot deny Himself (John 10:27-28) 6. Read 2 Timothy 2: What are the leaders instructed not to do and why should they avoid these things? Have you ever been misdirected by someone in authority? What was the result? Consider and discuss with your group the negative impact that happens when a leader teaches and instructs things that are contrary to truth. What repulsive word does Paul use to describe this in verse 17? In contrast, what does the approved worker do and what is the result? 7. Paul refers to two individuals who are leading people astray from the truth of the gospel by claiming that Christ s followers will not experience a bodily resurrection. Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-22 and record the truth that God has declared regarding the resurrection.

6 2 Timothy 2:1-26 November 16, 2016 Page 3 8. Paul encourages Timothy that God s firm foundation, the church, will continue to stand in spite of bad teaching. From 2 Timothy 2:19, what two signs, or seals, are characteristics of God s church? 9. Read 2 Timothy 2:20-22 where Paul describes a useful servant in the church. What must one do to prepare for honorable use in God s house? 10. Read 2 Timothy 2: Instead of being quarrelsome, record the behaviors that are encouraged in verses Compare this description to the description of Jesus in Matthew 12: Timothy 2:25-26 describes a wonderful potential outcome for those who previously stirred up conflict and dissention. What is that outcome? 12. Considering the great examples of endurance demonstrated by Jesus and Paul, write some of your own reasons to persevere in the faith. 13. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?

7 2 Timothy 3:1-17 November 30, Read 2 Timothy 3:1-9. What does Paul reveal to Timothy in verse 1? Describe in your own words what people will be like in the last days according to verses 2-4. What similarities do you see in today s culture compared to Paul s description in verses 2-4? What insights do you glean as you compare our culture with Paul s day? 2. Look closely at verse 5. In spite of their depraved lifestyles, what is the pretense of the people Paul is describing here? Read Matthew 23:28 and Titus 1:16. In 2 Timothy 3:5, Paul advises Timothy to avoid those leading duplicitous lives. How can we take Paul s wisdom to heart as well? Read 1 Timothy 6:11 and Titus 2: Paul continues to warn Timothy of the dangers of false teachers in 2 Timothy 3:6-9. What do we learn about those targeted by false teachers in verses 6-7? Paul uses the phrase always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth in verse 7. What are some words that describe this kind of person?

8 2 Timothy 3:1-17 November 30, 2016 Page 2 4. List some strategies we can employ to protect ourselves from becoming a target for false teaching. Read 2 Peter 3:17-18; 2 Timothy 4:3-5 and Psalm 119:105, In 2 Timothy 3:8-9 Paul paints a picture of the false teachers, comparing them to the sorcerers Jannes and Jambres. Describe the character of the false teachers. What is Paul s prediction for their success? Why? 6. After reading Paul s words concerning false teachers, what can you conclude about how the condition of our heart shapes our actions? Read Proverbs 4:23 and Luke 6: Read 2 Timothy 3: In verse 10, Paul reminds Timothy of their close relationship. As Timothy has followed Paul in ministry, what has he seen in Paul s life? How could these observations from Paul s life be life lessons for Timothy? 8. Paul was no stranger to suffering and persecution. What can we learn from Paul about persecution in 2 Timothy 3:11-13?

9 9. Summarize what the following verses say about persecution and suffering. John 15:18-19 Romans 8: Corinthians 1: Corinthians 4:8-9 Women in the Word 2 Timothy 3:1-17 November 30, 2016 Page 3 Share how Paul s words to Timothy and these truths from the Scriptures encourage you to face possible persecution and suffering. 10. Read 2 Timothy 3: As Paul writes to Timothy for the last time before his execution in Rome, what is his message for him in verses 14-15? What have the Scriptures accomplished in Timothy s life? In verses Paul affirms both the inspiration of the Scriptures and their usefulness. List the truths he shares with Timothy concerning the Scriptures. 11. In this final letter, Paul points Timothy to his own experiences and to the Scriptures as a guide for Timothy s journey as a believer. As you think about your own journey as a Christian, how has the inspired Word of God guided you and strengthened you? How have the lives of other believers inspired you and spurred you on? 12. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?

10 2 Timothy 4:1-22 December 7, After studying 1 and 2 Timothy, it is clear to see that Paul was passionate about guarding and spreading the gospel. What has been your passion over the last few years? How has God used your passion to draw you closer to Him? 2. Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5. What words in verse 1 lead you to believe that Paul s charge to Timothy was extremely important? According to verse 2, what was Paul s charge to Timothy? 3. When Paul urged Timothy to be ready in season and out of season, he was telling Timothy to be alert to any opportunity to share the gospel. Read the following portions of Scripture and record the different opportunities Paul had to share the gospel with others. Acts 16:24-25 Acts 17:16-17 Acts 22:30 23:1 Acts 27:18-26 Throughout the course of your day, where might you have the opportunity to share the gospel? What are some ways you can be prepared to share the gospel? 4. In one sentence, describe the desires of the people Paul mentions in 2 Timothy 4:3-4. With this in mind, what instruction does Paul give Timothy in verse 5?

11 2 Timothy 4:1-22 December 7, 2016 Page 2 5. Continue reading 2 Timothy 4:6-8. What phrases does Paul use in verse 6 to refer to his impending death? Explain what Paul means by I am already being poured out as a drink offering. Refer to Numbers 15:7 and Romans 12:1 for insight. 6. In 2 Timothy 4:7, in order to encourage Timothy and all Christians, Paul gives three statements as a short review of his life. With these in mind, record your own three statements that summarize your spiritual goals and hopes. Knowing that Paul suffered a great deal as he served God, how does this review of his life encourage you as you serve God? 7. Read 2 Timothy 4:9-18. According to verses 9-14, why is Paul anxious to have Timothy by his side? Demas is only mentioned three times in the entire Bible. In addition to 2 Timothy 4:10, read Colossians 4:14 and Philemon 1:23. What conclusions about Demas can we draw from these three verses? The story of Demas is a clear warning to all Christians. Our lives must be lived faithfully each day as we fight against abandoning the gospel for the things of the world. What do the following two portions of Scripture say about loving the world more than God? James 4:4 1 John 2:15-17

12 2 Timothy 4:1-22 December 7, 2016 Page 3 8. The Mark that Paul mentions in 2 Timothy 4:11 is the same person who traveled with Paul and Barnabas on Paul s first missionary journey. Later on, Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement and Paul refused to take Mark on his second missionary journey. Read Acts 15: In 2 Timothy 4, what does verse 11 tell us about Mark? What does it tell us about Paul? 9. Throughout verses 10-18, Paul mentions several different people who either deserted him during his time of need or persecuted him because of his message. But in verse 17, how did the Lord specifically bless Paul and what was the result? 10. Look again at verse 18. What was Paul s focus as he faced abandonment and persecution? Share a situation in your life when you were able to focus on God s goodness instead of the dire circumstances surrounding you. 11. Read verses Paul closes his letter to Timothy by sending greetings and remembering mutual friends. What does this tell us about Paul s heart? 12. After studying 2 Timothy, what in Paul s last letter stands out to you? How will this affect your Christian walk? 13. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?