SESSION 6 ONE GREAT TASK The Point Each of us must share the gospel. The Passage 2 Timothy 2:1-10 The Bible Meets Life The struggle to find hope and purpose is universal. Earlier in this study, we saw that we were created to be with God and live for His glory, and we will find that purpose through our trust in the work of Christ. Many people have yet to learn that truth, and they continue to struggle with the quest for hope and purpose. As believers, we have a responsibility to lead them to find both hope and purpose in Christ. The Setting Second Timothy is one of Paul s pastoral letters (along with 1 Timothy and Titus). This designation reflects letters dealing with ministry issues written by a veteran minister to younger colleagues. We might also call it a prison or captivity letter. Paul wrote four prison letters during the imprisonments mentioned at the end of Acts (Philippians, Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon), but many scholars think 2 Timothy came later, after Acts ended, as Paul s last letter. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 69
What does the Bible say? 2 Timothy 2:1-10 (HCSB) 1 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead and descended from David. This is according to my gospel. 9 I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God s message is not bound. 10 This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 70 SeSSion 6
THE POINT Each of us must share the gospel. GET INTO THE STUDY 10 minutes DISCUSS: Invite your group members to discuss Question #1 on page 53 of the PSG (Personal Study Guide): When have you been entrusted with an important task? Allow time for each person to respond. SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 54): I have two kinds of problems: the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent. President Dwight D. Eisenhower spoke these words in 1954 to a gathered group of church leaders. 4 They are interesting words coming from a man who had to deal daily with major decisions. Surely, most people who met with the president felt what they needed from him was important, and possibly urgent as well. Few things truly fall in both categories. Exercise is important, but not urgent. An e-mail message can be urgent, but not necessarily important. TIP: This is the last session of our 6-week study. Invite group members to review and share what God has been teaching them. Notes SAY: Of course, some things in life are both urgent and important. One task stands out for me as both urgent and important: sharing the good news of Christ with others. GUIDE: Call attention to The Point on page 54 of the PSG: Each of us must share the gospel. ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Before you get into today s session, briefly review last week s main idea with the following activity. Divide your group into subgroups of three or four people each and supply each group with a marker and poster board. Ask each subgroup to summarize the gospel in their own words. Then, instruct them to write their summary on the poster board. After a few minutes, allow each group to share aloud their brief summary. Display these poster boards around your meeting space. PRAY: Transition into the discussion with prayer. Thank God for making a way for our sins to be forgiven, and pray for boldness as you share that message with others. Display Pack Item #6 and use it with the Live It Out section on page 78 of this Leader Guide. PLAYLIST PICK: Salvation s Tide by Passion BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 71
10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (HCSB) 1 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. READ: Ask a group member to read aloud 2 Timothy 2:1-2. SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 55): Paul had invested much time and effort in teaching and discipling Timothy; now he encouraged Timothy to pay it forward, investing in others who would likewise teach others. Paul told Timothy to invest his life in men who had proven their love for the Lord.»» Once these men were faithfully trained, they too, in turn, were obligated to invest in others. This is God s method of multiplication. Each disciple is entrusted with the gospel and has a responsibility to share it with others. ALTERNATE QUESTION: Why are relationships necessary in making disciples? ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): In advance, secure a photo or momento of someone who was instrumental in teaching you the truth about God and the gospel. Begin your discussion of Question 2 with your own response using this visual aid. Sharing part of your own testimony helps group members get to know you better and it models transparency for your whole group. DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 55 of the PSG: Who has been faithful in teaching you the truth about God and the gospel? SAY: Paul s challenge to Timothy in verse 2 echoes the Great Commission. In the same way, Paul shared Christ with Timothy and discipled him, Timothy could share Christ and disciple others. TRANSITION: Paul knew firsthand that sharing the gospel message wouldn t always be easy. The next verses contain his instructions for sharing Christ in the midst of obstacles. 72 SeSSion 6
THE POINT Each of us must share the gospel. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 Commentary Share the message of Christ with others. Verse 1: Paul addressed the letter to Timothy, my dearly loved son (1:2), and he repeated my son in this verse. Timothy was not Paul s biological son, but Paul had a very close relation to this younger man. Paul met Timothy at Lystra (Acts 16:1-3). Timothy was the son of a Jewish Christian woman and a Greek father. Paul had Timothy circumcised, not as a requirement for salvation but to enable Timothy to be a co-worker with him and Silas. Paul mentioned Timothy in some of his letters. For instance, he called Timothy our brother and God s coworker (1 Thessalonians 3:2). When Paul wrote the two letters to Timothy, Timothy was serving at Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). Paul encouraged Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The word grace was often used by Paul for God s generous gift of forgiveness and salvation (Ephesians 2:8). Here the word probably refers to God s continually gracious empowering of Timothy in his ministry. Paul s use of grace here would be similar to his experience of God s sustaining grace when he asked God to deliver him from the thorn in his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). Paul s advice to be strong is similar to his encouragement to the church at Ephesus earlier in their struggles in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10). At times Paul seemed concerned about some adversity Timothy faced (1 Corinthians 16:10). Verse 2: Paul used several word pictures or analogies to help Timothy understand the nature of the Christian life and his role as a minister. Here Paul focused on Timothy s role as a teacher of other Christians. Paul had been Timothy s mentor or teacher for several years. Timothy had heard Paul preach many times, and undoubtedly they had discussed issues together one on one. Paul played many roles in the early church, including preacher, church planter, missionary, and author. This verse reminds us Paul also mentored or discipled young Christians. Timothy should commit the spiritual truths he had learned from Paul to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Paul might have had in mind a general teaching ministry for Timothy with the members of his church. Perhaps he had in mind Timothy s relation to church leaders in Ephesus. Paul had mentioned earlier that Timothy should hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me (2 Timothy 1:13). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 73
10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes 2 Timothy 2:3-7 (HCSB) 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. READ: Ask a group member to read aloud 2 Timothy 2:3-7. DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 56 of the PSG: What can we learn from Paul s word pictures in these verses? SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGES 56-57): Sharing the good news of Christ isn t always easy. In fact, sometimes it is downright hard perhaps even dangerous. We are to persevere, however, even if doing so brings challenges. Paul gave Timothy three examples of people who persevere. The soldier. Like a good soldier, we are to persevere in our obedience to Christ. We are to stay focused on the task at hand. The athlete. Paul likely was familiar with the Olympic games. To be victorious, the athlete needed diligence, self-control, and discipline. The farmer. A hard-working farmer must persevere in working his crops for months before he sees the fruit of his labor. The faithful witness also may get to enjoy the fruits of his or her labor by seeing people come to faith in Christ. ALTERNATE QUESTION: What emotions do you experience when you think about sharing the gospel? DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 57 of the PSG: What excuses do we make for not sharing the gospel? TRANSITION: Sharing Christ is not always easy; it takes focus, discipline, and hard work, but the payoffs make it all worth it. 74 SeSSion 6
THE POINT Each of us must share the gospel. 2 Timothy 2:3-7 Commentary Persevere in sharing the message of Christ. Verse 3: Another word picture Paul used to illustrate the nature of the Christian life is of a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Jewish and Gentile Christians in the early church were familiar with Roman soldiers. Earlier in his letter, Paul alerted Timothy to the need to share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God (1:8). Paul repeated that sentiment in verse 3, although he didn t identify specific types of suffering or adversity Timothy might experience. At least Paul was reminding his younger friend that being a Christian doesn t guarantee a trouble-free life. Verse 4: Here Paul highlighted the need for a good soldier of Christ Jesus to have a singleminded focus on serving Christ. A soldier should not get entangled in the concerns of civilian life. Additionally, a good soldier prioritizes obligations. The highest obligation is to please the recruiter or the commanding officer. A Christian in the first century or today will have many obligations, including family, church, career, and friendships. Paul emphasized that we need to always place our loyalty and commitment to Christ above other obligations. Verse 5: Paul s next analogy for the Christian life was an athlete. Many in his audience were familiar with first-century sports, and he often used sports imagery. In 1 Timothy Paul compared the value of physical fitness and spiritual fitness (1 Timothy 4:7-8). Both are good, but our priority should be on training in godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). Paul knew that a successful athlete prepared and trained over a long time in order to compete successfully. Here Paul emphasized an athlete competing according to the rules. If the athlete played according to the rules of the sport and won, the reward was a crown. Like a good athlete, we need to focus on spiritual exercises such as prayer and Bible study in order to be ready to share the good news with the people who need know about Jesus. Verse 6: Paul next compared the Christian life to being a hardworking farmer. The methods farmers use to raise their crops have changed, but successful farmers are still hardworking. Paul s main emphasis with this word picture is that the farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. Probably Paul referred to the spiritual rewards or blessings that come to those who serve Christ faithfully. Some think Paul might have included financial support for ministers. Verse 7: Paul reminded Timothy to think seriously about what he had written. It might take some review and reflection for everything he wrote to sink into Timothy s mind and spirit. Paul stressed that the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Like any student, Timothy needed to study what Paul had written, but he would have divine assistance in his study. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 75
10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes 2 Timothy 2:8-10 (HCSB) 8 Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead and descended from David. This is according to my gospel. 9 I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God s message is not bound. 10 This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. READ: Ask a group member to read aloud 2 Timothy 2:8-10. SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 59): Paul knew about persevering for the sake of sharing Christ. At the moment he wrote this letter to Timothy, he was in chains in a Roman prison. He knew he soon would be put to death (2 Timothy 4:6). Paul exhorted Timothy to remain focused on Christ. Though in prison himself, Paul noted that God s message is not bound (v. 9). The gospel of Jesus Christ had become Paul s very life; he called it my gospel (v. 8). SAY: Over the past few weeks we ve identified parts of the 3-1-5-1 Strategy, a simple tool that helps us to make a plan for how we can share Christ. DO: Instruct group members to complete the activity on page 58 of the PSG on their own. Keep in mind that some may already have responses from the following activities found in the PSG: Good vs. Good Enough (page 34), Hope in Christ (page 42), and The Gospel Message (page 50). 3-1-5-1 STRATEGY: ALTERNATE QUESTION: What are your hopes and dreams for sharing the gospel? 76 SeSSion 6 List three people for whom you are praying will accept the gift of salvation: Record one sentence that summarizes the gospel message: List five people you ll invite to be part of this group: Commit to sharing the gospel with the following person this week: DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 58 of the PSG: What steps can our group take this month to share the gospel? TRANSITION: Urgent and important things fill our days. Be sure to invest your life in what matters most: sharing the good news of the gospel.
THE POINT Each of us must share the gospel. 2 Timothy 2:8-10 Commentary Keep your focus on the message of Christ. Verse 8: Paul was doing more than exchanging shoptalk with a fellow minister. Paul wanted Timothy to keep his attention on Jesus Christ. It s hard to think of any better advice for a Christian, young or old. Paul occasionally used himself as a role model for other Christians. But Paul was always careful to avoid any egotism. For example, Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Here Paul reminded Timothy that all ministry was rooted in our faith in Jesus. Paul did not develop a full-scale Christology (doctrine of Christ) here, but he noted two key points. First, Jesus is risen from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was central to Paul s preaching and teaching. The fact God raised Jesus was the basic evidence for Jesus deity (Romans 1:4). Paul reminded the Corinthian Christians how important the resurrection was for their faith (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). Second, Paul mentioned that Jesus is descended from David. Certainly this was a major issue for Jews, who expected the Messiah to be a descendant of King David. Also, Paul may have been pointing to Jesus humanity in this way. Timothy had heard Paul discuss other issues about Christology before, so Paul did not need to review all of that again. Paul s main concern was that Timothy stay focused on Jesus, the Son of God and their Savior. Verse 9: Paul mentioned again that he was a prisoner (2 Timothy 1:8). He hoped Timothy could come visit him soon (4:9,21). Paul had suffered for Christ in many ways. Now he was in jail bound like a criminal. This word criminal was used by Luke for the men crucified with Jesus (Luke 23:32). Rather than dwell on the specifics of his chains, Paul stressed that God s message is not bound. Paul s activity was limited, and he seemed to expect his own death soon (2 Timothy 4:6-8), but the good news about Jesus was not in chains. Verse 10: Paul could endure all things for the sake of those who needed to hear and receive the gospel. These elect apparently had not heard the gospel yet, but they would receive it eventually. Somehow the good news about Jesus would be presented to these people, and they would obtain salvation. Paul s reference to eternal glory reminds us that the ultimate goal of our salvation is in the future. As many Bible scholars have noted, salvation has a beginning (Romans 5:1), middle (Romans 6:19-22), and end (1 John 3:2). Paul sometimes identified the final stage of our salvation as glorification (Romans 8:30). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 77
5 minutes LIVE IT OUT Notes SAY: We re called to tell others about what Jesus has done in our lives. So, where do we begin? LEADER PACK: Bring your group s attention to Pack Item #6, 2 Timothy 2:2 poster, as you wrap up this session. Just as Paul shared the gospel with Timothy, encourage your group members to consider whom they might share Christ with. GUIDE: Lead group members to consider the responses to the Bible study listed on page 60 of the PSG. Pray. Pull out page 58 with the 3-1-5-1 Strategy activity and post it someplace you ll see often. Ask God to make you aware of everyday opportunities you have to share about Jesus. Speak. When an opportunity arises, share what you know about Jesus in a genuine, loving way. This doesn t have to be lengthy or filled with theological terms for God to use your conversation for His glory. Learn. Find out how your church is actively sharing the gospel in your community. Whether it s an ongoing community ministry or a one-time mission trip, learn more about how you can be a part of these pursuits. Wrap It Up SAY: Nothing in life compares to what Christ offers us in salvation. The good news of the gospel is both urgent and important. Additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra 78 SeSSion 6