Session 7 FOR THE LEADER The Book of 2 Timothy 2 Timothy 1 4 This second letter to Timothy is the last known correspondence of Paul before his execution by Nero. Paul, awaiting trial because of his faith, sent this personal letter urging Timothy to remain faithful to the gospel. In contrast to Paul s first letter to Timothy, this installment was more personal in nature and gave Timothy boldness in the face of hardship. While it contained useful teaching for the early church, it can also be seen as a letter that empowers Christians to be bold in their faith as they mature in knowing, loving, and obeying God. Paul began this letter by reminding Timothy where he came from and the faithful witness of his mother and grandmother. Paul affirmed Timothy, and asserted that Timothy s faith was genuine, and because of that genuine faith, Timothy needed to be bold and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit who gives to people power, love, and sound judgment. Paul used examples of his own life, his current imprisonment, and impending death to encourage Timothy to follow Paul s example to not be ashamed of the gospel but to preach with boldness no matter the threat. Paul said we believers need not be ashamed because we know to whom we belong and about whom we preach and teach. To make his point clear, Paul used three word pictures. Paul compared Timothy to a soldier and encouraged Timothy to live committed to God like a good soldier was committed to his commanding officer. Paul next used the imagery of an athlete who won a crown by competing according to the rules. Athletes who excelled had been through rigorous training akin to the suffering Christian leaders may face. Paul s final analogy included imagery of a farmer who, through hard work, would reap a great harvest. Paul referred here to Timothy s commitment to preaching the truth and the spiritual outcome to be gained. Paul closed this letter by encouraging Timothy, and us, to finish the race well as we help others learn from the Bible and know about Jesus. 2018 LifeWay Session 7: The Book of 2 Timothy 53
OVERVIEW SESSION FOCUS BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Timothy 1 4 MEMORY VERSE: 2 Timothy 3:16 TEXT TRUTH: God gave us the Bible to help us know, love, and obey Him. CHRIST IN CONTEXT: The Book of 2 Timothy confirms that God kept the promise He made to Abraham and fulfilled through the family line of David. God sent Jesus, the Messiah. God planned before the beginning of time to send Jesus to rescue us from our sin. Jesus fulfilled all Scripture about Him. He defeated death and brought life to those who receive the truth of the gospel. GET STARTED TOOLS (10 MINUTES) Bible Skills: 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy (Books of the Bible Posters), From/To (enhanced CD) BIBLE STUDY TOOLS (35 MINUTES) Jump In: Laurel Wreath (DVD- ROM), Text Truth Strips (Poster Pack), 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy (Books of the Bible Posters) Examine the Text: Bibles, 2 Timothy Readings (enhanced CD), marker board, dry erase markers, tape, 2 Timothy (Books of the Bible Posters) Video: Explore the Bible on Location video Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16 (Poster Pack) Prayer: Family Cards, Christ in Context: 2 Timothy (Poster Pack) SMALL GROUP TOOLS (30 MINUTES) Explorer Guides: Bibles, Explorer Guides, pens Move: Bible Make: colored paper, markers, scissors, 2 Timothy 3:16 (Poster Pack), stickers, decorative scissors or hole punches Explore: index cards, marker NOTE: Downloadable versions of DVD items are available in the Digital Video Bundle. Downloadable versions of enhanced CD items are available in the Music and Print Extras Bundle. For free online training on how to lead a group, visit ministrygrid.com/web/explorethebible. 54 Explore the Bible: Older Kids 2018 LifeWay
BIBLE STORY THE BOOK OF 2 TIMOTHY 2 Timothy 1 4 Paul was put in prison for preaching the truth about Jesus. While in prison, Paul wrote letters to churches and leaders to encourage them in their faith. One of the people Paul wrote to was Timothy. Timothy, my dear son. I thank God for you when I pray. I wish I could visit with you again. I remember your faith as a young man. You learned the truth of Jesus from your grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice. Remember Timothy, to continue serving God because He has not given us a spirit of fear. God has given us a spirit of power, love, and sound judgment. Do not be ashamed of Jesus. Remember, God has saved us and called us to live a holy life. This is not because of our good deeds or actions. It is because of God s own grace which was given to us through Jesus before time began. Jesus has defeated death and brought life through the gospel. Paul understood that sometimes, as a Christian, we suffer. The gospel is why I suffer. But I am not ashamed. I may be bound like a criminal, but the gospel is not bound. I have been persecuted, but God has rescued me. Everyone who wants to live a life for Jesus will face persecution. Evil people and those who teach lies about God will become worse and worse. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. One day, I and all who love Jesus, will be given a crown of righteousness. Paul encouraged Timothy to stay true to his faith in Jesus, But you, Timothy, must continue to live what you believe. You have been taught since you were a child the Scriptures. They will give you wisdom to understand salvation through faith in Jesus. All Scripture comes from God. It is good for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training people in righteousness so all believers can be equipped. Finally, Paul wrote, Tell people the gospel message. Tell them whether it is easy or not. Endure tough times. Please come to visit me soon and bring Mark with you. Grace be with you. TEXT CONNECTION Paul continued his encouragement of Timothy with a second letter. This letter was much more personal in nature because Paul knew he would soon be executed. Paul wanted to share his last words with Timothy, a testament to Paul s love for Timothy. Paul shared with Timothy several qualities that followers of God should have. One of the most important qualities was to be genuine. Paul also shared with Timothy that he should be unashamed and bold. Paul used his current circumstances as an example for this. Paul had been imprisoned and faced execution, but he remained faithful to the message of the gospel and continued to share the good news of Jesus. The admonition Paul gave to Timothy wasn t something new. When Jacob returned home to his estranged brother, he needed the same advice. Jacob approached Esau with humility, authenticity, and boldness to seek forgiveness. KEY POINTS Scripture is from God and will equip us. God s Word teaches that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ. God has called us for His purpose. He has a plan for us. EXPLORE THE BIBLE AT HOME See the enhanced CD for additional family resources. 2018 LifeWay Session 7: The Book of 2 Timothy 55
GET STARTED TOOLS: Bible Skills: 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy (Books of the Bible Posters), From/ To (enhanced CD) PREPARATION: Display the 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy posters close together on the focal wall. GET STARTED (10 MINUTES) BIBLE SKILLS Display the 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy posters. Emphasize that a letter, just like an email, a text, or some other sort of message, will always have a sender and a receiver. Note that letters today usually begin with the receiver Dear Reader and don t share the sender until the end Yours Truly, Writer. Point out that in Bible times, letters were a little different with the writer being listed first and the recipient as the very next thing. Divide the group into two teams. Ask the first to look at 1 Timothy 1:1-2 while the other looks at 2 Timothy 1:1-2. Challenge each team to identify the writer and the intended reader for each letter. Give each team a copy of From/To, instructing them to fill it out as they learn the information. Place the completed From/To sheets below the corresponding Books of the Bible posters. Emphasize that Paul wrote two letters to Timothy, and that Timothy s name became the title. Challenge the teams to investigate two more letters to see if this pattern holds up. Guide them to consider Romans 1:1,7 and Jude 1:1. Allow them to report their findings verbally. Explain that even though Paul was sending a letter intended for Timothy, Christians for thousands of years have been able to benefit from the message. The truths of the Bible will last forever. Dismiss to Bible Study. BIBLE SKILLS SPOTLIGHT Begins to tell others the meaning of the biblical content of a verse or passage. Uses Bible study resources to gather information about Bible writers. Understands the truths in the Bible are without error and will last forever. 56 Explore the Bible: Older Kids 2018 LifeWay
BIBLE STUDY BIBLE STUDY (35 MINUTES) JUMP IN Welcome the kids to Bible Study. Ask if anybody remembers the book studied last week. Display the 1 Timothy poster and remind them that the object last week came from a sport: boxing gloves. Explain that this week s book comes right after 1 Timothy in the Bible. Allow girls and boys to guess what book that might be before displaying the 2 Timothy poster. Note that the object for this week also comes from the world of sports. Encourage kids to guess at this for a moment. Display the Laurel Wreath visual. Ask the kids if they are surprised that this is from sports. Allow them to speculate on what a laurel wreath has to do with sports. In the end, point out that unless you tell them or unless someone else has already told them, they will not discover the answer to this question. Suggest that this need for information from an outside source reminds us of the point of today s Bible study. Display the Text Truth Strip and ask the kids to repeat with you: God gave us the Bible to help us know, love, and obey Him. Emphasize that we do not have to guess about how God wants us to live, because He tells us about that in the Bible. Encourage the kids to pay attention and discover what today s object, a circle of leaves, has to do with sports and the Book of 2 Timothy. EXAMINE THE TEXT Look to the 2 Timothy poster. Remind the kids that 2 Timothy, like 1 Timothy, is an Epistle or Letter. Ask a volunteer to recall from Bible Skills who the writer and recipient of both of these letters was. As the groups locate 2 Timothy in their Bibles, say: Paul left Timothy behind to help build the church in Ephesus, but Paul used these letters to keep in touch, to encourage, and to help Timothy. Read or paraphrase the Bible Story page to provide an overview of the book. On the marker board, write Know, Love, and Obey across the top. Distribute the 2 Timothy Readings cards to reliable readers. Ask them, in random order, to read the Scripture reference on the card, allowing time for the rest of the group to locate the verse. Then have the cardholder share the verse. Ask the group to determine whether this verse represents Paul helping Timothy understand how to know, love, or obey God. Discuss any differences of opinion and then place the card on the board below the appropriate label. Say: Paul wrote his letter to help Timothy nearly 2,000 years ago, but his letter is useful to Christians today. The truths of the Bible will last forever. TOOLS: Jump In: Laurel Wreath (DVD-ROM), Text Truth Strips (Poster Pack), 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy (Books of the Bible Posters) Examine the Text: Bibles, 2 Timothy Readings (enhanced CD), marker board, dry erase markers, tape, 2 Timothy (Books of the Bible Posters) Video: Explore the Bible on Location video Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16 (Poster Pack) Prayer: Family Cards, Christ in Context: 2 Timothy (Poster Pack) TIPS: Examine the Text: It is not essential that the kids discover the right answers to categorizing the 2 Timothy Readings Scriptures. Use the ambiguities and overlaps to emphasize how the Bible helps us know, love, and obey God. 2018 LifeWay Session 7: The Book of 2 Timothy 57
BIBLE STUDY Pointing to the labels on the marker board, remind the kids of today s Text Truth: God gave us the Bible to help us know, love, and obey Him. PLAY THE VIDEO Play the Session 7 video. Ask: Who did we meet in today s video? What did Kaileigh s mom teach her about Jesus? What did her mom teach her about God s Word? Who taught Timothy about God s Word? What does the Bible help us do? DEFINITIONS: Inspired: word used to describe how the Bible is from God. God chose each writer and guided them as they wrote. Rebuking: to reprimand, admonish MEMORY VERSE Display the 2 Timothy 3:16 poster to the group and ask them to read it aloud with you. Read through the verse again yourself, pausing multiple times while pointing to one or more of the kids for them to fill in the next word. For example: All what? (Scripture) All Scripture is inspired by who? (God) Continue to build the verse in this manner through the end. Ask the group if any of the words in the verse seem unclear. If they do not volunteer, ask them to explain words such as inspired or rebuking. Emphasize that Paul was writing a letter and may not have known that he was writing something that would make its way into the Bible, but God did! Say: The simple letter that Paul sent to help Timothy has survived and helps us today. PRAYER Share the Christ in Context: 2 Timothy poster. Look back to the laurel wreath. Ask if the kids have discovered what it has to do with sports. Explain that in sporting contests in Paul s day, rather than getting a medal or trophy, a winner would receive a laurel wreath. Look back to the two starred readings (2 Timothy 2:4-5; 4:7-8) from the 2 Timothy Readings to show how Paul talked about finishing a race and receiving a crown. Distribute the Family Cards, urging the kids to run and finish the race ahead of them. Conclude the session in prayer. Thank God for giving the guidance in the Bible, and ask Him to help the kids rely on that guidance more with each passing day. Dismiss to Small Group. 58 Explore the Bible: Older Kids 2018 LifeWay
SMALL GROUP SMALL GROUP (30 MINUTES) EXPLORER GUIDES Distribute Explorer Guides and help boys and girls locate today s pages, The Book of 2 Timothy. Review today s object, the Laurel Crown. Invite kids to follow along as you read about how the Bible is inspired by God. Help girls and boys complete the activity, Teaching Others. Choose a volunteer to read Run the Race. Challenge kids to quietly complete their responses to the questions in Read Your Bible. Consider pairing kids together with a friend if some of your kids struggle to read the Bible on their own. TOOLS: Explorer Guides: Bibles, Explorer Guides, pens TECH CONNECT (OPTIONAL) Prior to Small Group, download the Explore the Bible: Kids Family App. Use the activity labeled Explorer Plus on the app. ACTIVITIES Select one or more of the activities to complete as time allows. MOVE HEAD-HEART-HANDS Tools: Bible Arrange the kids into a circle. Name some topics, asking kids to point to their head if they know it, heart if they love it, and hands if they obey it. Agree that they can do anything from none to all three. Present topics such as foods (tacos, ice cream, vegetables); sports (soccer, hockey, baseball); music (instrument, name of a popular song, artist); and school subjects (math, science, reading); as well as churchy items (offering, missions, the Bible). Conclude with the Bible. Emphasize the Text Truth: God gave us the Bible to help us know, love, and obey Him. 2018 LifeWay Session 7: The Book of 2 Timothy 59
SMALL GROUP MAKE EXPLORE MARK THE BOOK Tools: colored paper, markers, scissors, 2 Timothy 3:16 (Poster Pack), stickers, decorative scissors or hole punches Remind the kids of the Memory Verse. Challenge them to create a bookmark for their Bible. Urge them to write the Memory Verse on it to help them remember the purpose of the Bible. Conclude the activity by reviewing the Text Truth: God gave us the Bible to help us know, love, and obey Him. KNOW, LOVE, AND OBEY Tools: index cards, marker On three separate index cards, write K, L, and O. Place them facedown on a table. Ask a volunteer to choose a card. If they pick a K, ask them what they know about God. For an L, ask how they can love God. For an O, ask them to explain how they can obey God. Return the card and allow others to repeat this process. Finish the activity by reviewing the Text Truth: God gave us the Bible to help us know, love, and obey Him. 60 Explore the Bible: Older Kids 2018 LifeWay