2. What does vs. 1 tell you about God s sovereignty?

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1 The lessons for each week are divided up into a five day study. Each day will cover a section of the scripture we are studying for this lesson. As you READ each section of scripture pray for God to REVEAL His truths to you so that you will be able to RESPOND to what God is teaching you and you will be able to apply His Word in your life. Do not be discouraged if you have difficulties with some of the questions. When we get together each week we will have a teaching time to help with your understanding of each verse Day 1 Continue II Timothy 3 Lesson 13 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, II Timothy 3:14 II Timothy 3: 1-5 1) But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2) For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3) Unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4) Treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5) Holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 1. When will difficult times come? Is this now during our lifetime or later? 2. What does vs. 1 tell you about God s sovereignty? 3. Read vs Which of these behaviors would you say is the foundation for all the other behaviors listed? Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 1

2 4. Read vs. 2-4 again. Though we would like to think that these words describe other people and not ourselves, if we are honest with ourselves some may apply to us as well. Which of these sins do you struggle with? What is the opposite behavior of those sins? How can you personally grow in the opposite behavior? (You may want to use a concordance to look up and read verses that teach you more about what God teaches about the sin and the opposite behavior. Ie. What does God teach about the love of money and what does He teach us about contentment?) 5. What does it mean to hold to a form of godliness? 6. According to vs. 5, what is needed to be godly? How do we get this? 7. Read Isaiah 1:10-18 and Matthew 23: How do these passages of Scripture relate to verse 5? What is God teaching us in these passages? Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 2

3 8. Read Matthew 7: What does this passage tell you about holding to a form of godliness? 9. What command is given in vs. 5? Does this command contradict the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19-20) Why or why not? Self-lovers see everything in the world only as it affects them. They skew their perception of every event to bolster their own sense of superiority, significance or safety. Furthermore, they seek the comfort and promotion of self above all else. Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll s NT Insights, pg. 206 The form or appearance of godliness includes going to church, knowing Christian doctrine, using Christian clichés, and following a community s Christian traditions. Such practices can make a person look good, but if the inner attitudes of belief, love, and worship are lacking, the outer appearance is meaningless. Paul warns us not to be deceived by people who only appear to be Christians. It may be difficult to distinguish them from true Christians at first, but their daily behavior will give them away. Life Application Bible, pg Having a form of godliness by denying its power. That is an accurate description of much of the church today. They observe rituals, and have a form of godliness, but there is no power there. Churches have often just become social centers, where you can get some entertaining messages dealing with psychological issues, and hear some inspiring music, but the power of God is lacking. You can learn all the practical steps toward having a better life, how to communicate, how to quit smoking, how to raise your children, how to invest your money, and it is often good advice; but the power of God is left out. Jesus said, Without Me you can do nothing (John 15:5). Our first and foremost need is to realize that we need the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. To ignore that is at best teaching people how to get along in life without God, and without Him we can t do anything meaningful. Chuck Smith, The Word for Today Bible, pg Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 3

4 Day 2 II Timothy 3:6-9 6) For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 7) Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8) Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. 9) But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes s and Jambres s folly was also. Without the discernment that comes from knowing the Word, people willingly entertain spiritual fads and false doctrines. The Jeremiah Study Bible, pg Who is the target for false teachers according to vs. 6? Why do you think this is true? 2. How would you explain vs. 7? How can you learn but never know the truth? 3. Read Exodus 7:8-13. According to tradition, who were Jannes and Jambres? 4. What three things describe Jannes and Jambres, along with the false teachers in Ephesus with Timothy? 5. Has there ever been a time in your life that you opposed the truth of God s Word? Explain. Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 4

5 6. What promise is given about false teachers in vs. 9? Evil has a limited shelf life. Deceivers will proliferate and their influence will expand. Falsehood may devastate some churches and persecute many genuine believers. Evil men may consume many lives with their hatred. But, ultimately, evil comes to nothing. Divine truth always prevails. In the end, God wins. Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll s NT Insights, pg. 211 Day 3 II Timothy 3: ) Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11) Persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12) Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 1. What nine things in Paul s life had Timothy faithfully followed? Why do you think Paul listed all these things for Timothy? 2. Read Matthew 5: What blessings do believers receive from being persecuted? Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 5

6 God does not promise us deliverance from persecution but deliverance through it. Nelson s Bible Commentary, pg. 882 Persecution is an integral part of a devout Christian life. Believers Bible Commentary, pg Read the last part of vs. 11. What comfort does Paul give Timothy in this verse? How does this verse give you hope? 4. What does vs. 12 promise all believers who are living a godly life? 5. Have you been, or are you being persecuted in your life? Why or why not? The persecutions Paul suffered will become the suffering of any believer who stakes his or her life on the gospel and dares to live it openly. Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll s NT Insights, pg Read John 16:33. How does this verse increase your faith? 7. Read Revelation 2:10. What is promised to you in this verse is you are faithful? Day 4 II Timothy 3: ) But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14) You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15) And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 6

7 1. According to vs. 13, what happens to those people that have been deceived? 2. What does Paul exhort Timothy to do in vs. 14? What is he to continue in? 3. Who did Timothy receive Biblical instruction from? (Read II Timothy 1:5) 4. Why was this instruction in Timothy s life so important according to vs. 15? 5. Read Deuteronomy 6: 4-9. Summarize these verses in your own words so that they apply to your life. How can you instill the importance of God s Word in the lives of your kids, or in the lives of your family & friends? 6. Are your beliefs and convictions deep rooted? Are you able to stand strong even when others don t agree with you and your beliefs? Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 7

8 7. Do you live your beliefs every day and everywhere. While at home, while at work, while on vacation, etc. If someone took video of you every day would it show consistency in your words and conduct? Are you consistently continuing in the things you have learned? The Author of the Bible is God Himself. Nelson s Bible Commentary, pg. 882 Day 5 II Timothy 3: ) All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17) So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 1. Read II Peter 1: What does this verse tell you about the Word of God? The Bible is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. Life Application Bible, pg Why is it so important for the Bible to be inspired by God or Godbreathed? What you believe about the Bible influences everything you believe and affects every decision you make. Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll s NT Insights, pg Read I Peter 2:2. What does this verse tell you about the Word of God? Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 8

9 Right doctrine should produce right practice. Nelson s Bible Commentary, pg According to vs. 16, how is the Bible profitable to you? Explain in your own words the four ways that the Bible profits you personally on a daily basis. 5. How does reading and studying God s Word help you to grow in your relationship with Him? Compare your relationship with God through His Word to a parent and a child. 6. Read Titus 3:8. What is good and profitable for us as believers according to this verse? How do vs. 16 & 17 relate to Titus 3:8? What does the Word of God do for us? 7. Are you equipped? Do you feel ready to do whatever God asks you to do? Why or why not? Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 9

10 8. How much time do you spend in God s Word? What is the biggest obstacle you face in spending time in God s Word? What needs to happen for that obstacle to be removed? D.L. Moody said the Bible wasn t given for our information but for our transformation. In order for transformation to take place, the daily engraving of God s words on our hearts is imperative. And if we are to continue walking on the steep path through the narrow gate that leads to life, we need God s Word. When we read and meditate on the Scriptures with teachable hearts, the Holy Spirit will engrave His truths into our lives.his Word teaches us what is true, prepares us in every way for what s ahead, and equips us for every good thing we re created to do during our time on earth. Cheri Fuller, The One Year Women s Friendship Devotional, pg. 4 GETTING THE WORD INTO YOU (Drawn from A Place of Quiet Rest, pg ) By: Nancy Leigh DeMoss Have you ever had the experience of reading a portion of Scripture perhaps even several pages or chapters only to stop and realize that you have absolutely no idea what you just read? That has happened to me more times than I care to admit. I want to suggest a practical step that will help make the Word come alive within you. This practice will help you concentrate on what you are reading and can keep your devotions from becoming boring and dry. Keep in mind that it is not enough that we should just read the Word. The object is that the words that are printed on the page would become indelibly written on our hearts. God never intended that we should merely get into His Word His intent is that the Word should get into us. So how do we go about getting the Word grafted into our hearts and lives? Here is one key: Without question, next to the Holy Spirit, the single greatest help in my personal devotional life has been to read the Scripture with paper and pen in hand, so I can record insights from the Word. As I write down what God is saying to my heart through His Word, the words are lifted off the page and become full of meaning and life to me. There are several types of writing that can be helpful in studying the Word; most of these are illustrated in the Scripture itself. Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 10

11 Write out portions of the Word In Deuteronomy 17:18-19, God gave these instructions to the kings of Israel: When he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life. What was the point of this exercise? God knew how prone His people were to forget what He had told them. Over and over, He challenged them to remember Him, to remember His law, to remember what He had done for them. Writing out the Word of God was on practical way to help them remember. And it can help us remember. Taking time to write our specific passages from the Word of God forces us to think about what we are reading and to observe the details of the text more carefully. Write in your Bible This suggestion is not specifically found in Scripture (remember that hardly anyone owned a copy of the Bible before the 16 th century), but is has been a practical help and blessing in my growing love affair with the Word. When I was a child, my parents encouraged us to underline verses that we found especially meaningful. Over the years, I have read and marked up many different copies of the Bible. In addition to underlining phrases or verses for emphasis, I frequently circle or bracket repeated words or phrases. I also write cross references in the margin, as well as jot down notes about the meaning of specific words or phrases in the passage. When the Lord uses a verse or passage to address a specific need in my life or to encourage or convict my heart in an unusual way, I often indicate a date on which that personal encounter with the living God took place. The space in the margins is sometimes used to write brief, personal responses to the truth, such as, Yes, Lord, I agree,, Change my heart, O God, or Make this true in my life, Lord. Record Insights into the Word of God When the apostle John was in exile on the isle of Patmos, he was given a vision of heaven. The Lord Jesus appeared to him and said, Write on a scroll what you see Write, therefore, what you have seen (Revelation 1:11,19). Over the years, I have recorded in my personal journals hundreds and hundreds of pages of observations and insights that the Holy Spirit has shown me while reading and meditating on the Word. Capturing these insights helps us to clarify, understand and remember the ways of God. The process of writing them down deepens our love and appreciation for the truth of God s Word. You say, How do I know what to write? Many Bible teachers suggest asking three basic questions each time you read the Bible: What does it say? (Make observations about the text.) 1. Summarize. After reading the passage, try to come up with a title for the entire book, the chapter, and the individual paragraphs. Look for a key verse that captures the heart of the passage. Write a brief summary of the passage, including the major points. 2. Paraphrase. Try to write the passage in your own words. 3. Ask questions. Use the same questions you ask if you were writing a newspaper account: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? 4. Look for patterns. Look for repeated words or phrases to help you understand what the author intends to emphasize. 5. Look for cross-references. The Holy Spirit may bring to mind other verses that relate to, confirm, or shed further light on what you are reading. Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 11

12 What does it mean? (Look for the implications or the interpretations of the text.) 1. What does this passage teach me about God? 2. What does this passage teach me about Jesus? 3. What does this passage teach me about man? 4. Are there any promises to claim? 5. Are there any commands to obey? 6. Are there any examples to follow? 7. Are there any sins to avoid? What should I do? (Make practical application of the text.) 1. How does this truth apply to my life? To my situation? 2. In view of this truth, what changes need to be made in my life? 3. What practical steps can I take to apply this truth to my life? The Woman s Study Bible, pg Circle of Sisters in Christ Women s Ministry - Calvary Chapel Lexington, 1156 Barr Rd., Lexington, SC (803) Page 12