2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5 - FIRST, THE BAD NEWS

2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5

FIRST, THE BAD NEWS

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Susie: The last days are now. They started when Jesus was raised from the dead and ascended back to the Father and will continue until His return to earth to reign.

Susan: The word translated “perilous” is the same word used to describe the two demon- possessed “fierce and savage” men that lived in the caves of the Gadarenes. As the time of Christ’s appearing draws nearer people will get exponentially more evil.

Matthew 8:28 (AMPC) And when He arrived at the other side in the country of the Gadarenes, two men under the control of demons went to meet Him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce and savage that no one was able to pass that way.

Susie: False teachers will abound even appearing to be “Christians” but masking every kind of treacherous wickedness. Paul lists several of these characteristics in the next verses.

2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Susan: People will be narcissistic, self-centered, and selfish, never thinking of anyone other than themselves.

Susie: They will never be satisfied with what they have, instead greedily envious of their neighbors.

Susan: They have an insatiable, unquenchable desire for things.

Susie: They will be full of pride, boasting of their own deeds rather than giving the glory to God for their accomplishments.

Susan: Blasphemy is glorifying anyone or anything above God. It is crediting the work of God to anyone or anything other than God Himself.

Susie: The first time I realized “disobedient to parents” was in this list I was teaching elementary school. It was easy for me to look around and see that this trait is increasing at an alarming rate. We see news reports of children committing atrocious crimes and running wild. Disrespect toward parents is almost the norm rather than a rare occurrence. On television and in movies, disobedient children are depicted as “cute.” There is nothing cute about sin.

Susan: Ungrateful people ascribe credit everywhere else but where it is due and ascribing value to everything that is not valuable, preferring the temporal rather than the eternal.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Susie: Holiness is being set apart, pure and clean, to God to be used for His purposes. People will be unholy—seeking self-gratification rather than His kingdom.

2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Susie: Most people think of not having natural affection as pointing to living a homosexual, lesbian, or transsexual lifestyle. That is one aspect of this. But consider this: I have noticed an increased number of heinous crimes perpetrated against children by their own parents, even their mothers. It is not natural for a mother to assault or even kill her children. Incest is not natural. All these things fall under the title of “not having natural affection.”

Susan: Trucebreakers do not honor a written or verbal agreement, whether that is a contract between two people or a disarmament agreement between countries.

Susie: Bringing a charge against a person whom you know is innocent, testifying falsely—these things make the news as well. This type of lie is usually perpetrated to save a person’s own life or reputation at the cost of another’s.

Susan: The word translated “incontinent” is used only in this one place in the Bible and means “without self-control.” That can be unable to control the tongue (running off at the mouth), the temper (hotheadedness), or the members of the body:

Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Susie: Fierce, ferocious, savage, impetuous, easily enraged are descriptive of people who behave in an uncivilized manner with total disregard for others. I think of someone who purposely mows down bystanders with their vehicle.

Susan: It reminds me of the soldiers using a tank to flatten Christians gathered in Tiananmen Square in China or those who used jetliners to blow up the World Trade Center. All that maniacal behavior because of differences in ideology.

Susie: Acts of savagery are on the increase, and unfortunately so are those who get twisted enjoyment from watching them.

Susan: These evil-doers despise those who tenaciously pursue godliness above all else, those who run after righteousness, faith, charity, and peace (see 2 Timothy 2:22).

2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Susie: They turn their backs on and even betray those to whom they have made commitments.

Susan: They are reactionary, rushing in before thinking things through. They are haughty and arrogant, thinking higher of themselves than they should, always putting themselves first.

Susie: These types of people are into the pursuit of pleasure above all else. Instant gratification takes the place of pursuing excellence. Satisfying urges replaces waiting upon the Lord and doing His will.

2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Susie: These people may look somewhat like Christians on the outside but inside are not truly empowered by the Holy Spirit. A closer examination of their teaching and their lifestyles reveals them for who they are—imposters.

Matthew 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

Susan: A polished appearance, how many jewels they wear or don’t wear, a large following, or the size of their bank account, or even the amount they donate to charity does not necessarily denote authentic godliness. True holiness is demonstrated in a person’s character, integrity, devotion to God and to the study and application of His word are better indicators of a person’s heart condition.

1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Susan: Timothy is to turn away from these types of people, to avoid them at all cost. Do not associate with them other than to try to lead them to the truth of Jesus Christ.

QUESTIONS

1.        Do you believe we are living in “perilous times?” Why or why not?

2.        2 Timothy 3:2 lists several characteristics of many people in the last days. Which do find the most surprising? Why?

3.        What comes to minds when you read the phrase “without natural affection?”

4.        Who do evil people despise?

5.        What do these sinful people love rather than loving God?

6.        What are the characteristics of a person or ministry who truly follows Jesus? 

2 TIMOTHY 2:22-26 - GENTLY GUIDE TO GODLINESS

2 TIMOTHY 2:22-26

GENTLY GUIDE TO GODLINESS

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Susie: Youthful lusts are not limited to sexual impurity but to any passion that draws one away from the pursuit of godly purity.

2 Timothy 2:22 (Phillips)Turn your back on the turbulent desires of youth and give your positive attention to goodness, faith, love and peace in company with all those who approach God in sincerity.

2 Timothy 2:22 (MSG)      Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God.

Susan: Rather than being distracted by the temptations of this world, be in relentless pursuit of all things that bring pleasure to the heart of God. Continually submit to being refined by the Holy Spirit’s fire.

Susie: Timothy was the leader of the believers at Ephesus and was called to pursue godliness alongside them as well as be an example to them.

2 Timothy 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

Susan: Paul warns Timothy for the third time not to be antagonistic with false teachers because it would just fuel their fire.

2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Susie: Rather than engage in superfluous debates over false and sometimes silly teachings, Timothy was to gently admonish the believers to stick with the truth of the gospel and the scriptures. Even though we are prepared to defend the truth, we must always keep a proper attitude of humility.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear

Susan: Timothy and those he trained to follow him were proficient in the art of teaching as gifted to them by the Holy Spirit.

Susie: Rather than being argumentative, condescending, or condemning toward false teachers and those they were leading astray, Timothy was to use his gift of teaching to lead them to the truth in the hope that the Lord would draw them into right relationship with Himself. Even the non-believer who heard the gospel message could be led to belief by the Holy Spirit. This should always be our hope and prayer for those who oppose the message of salvation, that they may be brought to repentance and believe.

2 Timothy 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Susan: It is as if these people were hypnotized, mesmerized, under Satan’s evil spell. God, through Timothy’s teaching, would help them see the enemy for who he really is. Then Jesus would enable them to break free of the devils web of deception.

2 Timothy 2:26 (Phillips) They may come to their senses and be rescued from the power of the devil by the servant of the Lord and set to work for God’s purposes.

QUESTIONS

1.        What attributes should we pursue?

2.        Rather than endlessly debating with false teachers, what should we continue to teach?

3. What is the proper attitude for a preacher/teacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

4.        What is the main goal of teaching others about the truth of Jesus?

2 TIMOTHY 2:15-21 - TESTED, TRIED, AND PURIFIED

2 TIMOTHY 2:15-21

TESTED, TRIED, AND PURIFIED

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Susie: If you’ve ever been a member or leader of an AWANA (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) club, you will recognize this verse. This Christian club for kids emphasizes the study and memorization of scripture in a fun atmosphere with games, challenges, and badges to earn. But studying the Bible and internalizing its truths should not end when we become adults. In fact, it should intensify.

Susan: I did not have the opportunity to participate in AWANA or even Sunday School as a child, so I am making up for lost time.

Susie: Does studying to be approved by God mean we have to earn our salvation by learning His word?

Susan: No, absolutely not. Salvation is by grace through faith and not dependent upon any work we can do ourselves. It is only Jesus’s work on the cross that is acceptable to God for our salvation. However, it brings God pleasure when His children purposefully pursue intimacy with Him.

Susie: “Approved” can also mean “tested by trial.” Those who are avidly seeking intimacy with the Lord through the study of the Bible will be tested, tempted, and tried. But the Lord Himself will enable them to endure and be strong.

Romans 14:4 (NIV) Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Susie: What does Paul mean by “rightly dividing the word of truth?”

Susan: It is utilizing the whole counsel of God to explain truth and principles and expounding upon them in context, not using scripture as an a la carte menu.

2 Timothy 2:16-17 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Susie: The arguments of the false teachers were misleading and infectious. Many translations compare them to gangrene spreading throughout the body and destroying it. Paul urges us to not even engage in word battles with those who are not true to the word of God as it will only lead us astray. Hymenaeus and Philetus were false teachers who had already been deceived to that point and were leading others to doubt their faith. They were teaching that the resurrection of the dead had already happened. Other than the fact that it was absolutely not true, why was that false teaching so harmful?

Susan: These false teachers were contradicting Jesus’s words and Paul’s teaching by saying the resurrection was only of the spirit and not the body. They denied that Jesus was physically, bodily raised from the dead and that someday those who believe will be raised to meet Him in the clouds. It seems they held to the Gnostic belief that all matter, including human bodies, was evil and only the spirit could be good. This would, in a sense, be denying that Jesus could be divine, could be God, while in His incarnate state here on earth.

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Susie: The word of God will not be thwarted. It stands forever:

1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Susan: God knows us even while we are still in the womb. God intimately knows, has a relationship with those He has chosen and enables them to know Him.

Jeremiah 1:5a Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee . . .

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Susie: Those who follow Jesus should be set apart from the world, living according to God’s will and way as revealed in the Bible. We should flee temptation and resist Satan.

1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

Susan: Items made of gold and silver can be more perfectly purified than those made of wood or clay. The refiner heats the metal until the dross, the imperfections, floats to the top to be skimmed off. The process is complete when the refiner is able to see his reflection in the gold or silver. Jesus is my Refiner and is in the process of bringing me to a point of reflecting Him. We were not created to have our own image but were created to reflect the image of the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Malachi 3:2-3 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Susie: Therefore, the dishes made of silver or gold were used for serving guests whereas the vessels of wood or clay were used for less glorious purposes such as disposing of refuse. When we trust in Jesus, we are clothed in the mantel of His righteousness immediately and are seen by God as righteous. However, we are also undergoing a process called sanctification whereby we are being refined and will eventually be like Jesus when we dwell with Him forever.

2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Susie: How does a person purge himself from dishonor?

Susan: A person must trust Jesus and yield to the guidance and prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Susie: This brings us back to verse 15. As we study the word of God and allow His Spirit to apply it to our lives, we will become more and more like Jesus and will “need not be ashamed.”

QUESTIONS

1.        Define “rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2. To what does Paul compare false teaching?

3.        What seal did Paul discuss in verse 19?

         4.  How does one depart from iniquity?

2 TIMOTHY 2:8-14 FAITHFULNESS TO THE MOST FAITHFUL ONE

2 TIMOTHY 2:8-14

FAITHFULNESS TO

THE MOST FAITHFUL ONE

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

Susie: Paul emphasizes Jesus’s humanity by pointing out that He is descended from King David and the rightful heir to the throne as the Messiah was prophesied to be.

Susan: Then Paul highlights Jesus’s resurrection from the dead which was God’s confirmation that Jesus fulfilled the purpose for which He was born on earth, to redeem His people by His death on the cross.  

Susie: This means that Jesus is the descendant of David who will reign eternally as established by the Davidic Covenant.

2 Samuel 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

2 Timothy 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Susie: Paul’s suffering and his imprisonment were a direct result of his preaching this gospel. He was treated as a criminal for proclaiming the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. He was even kept in chains and closely guarded.

Susan: Even though Paul was bound in chains, God, in His wisdom and power, created a way for the word, His gospel, to be disseminated throughout the earth. Paul’s letters not only reached those of his own generation but have continued to inspire and infuse all who have read them to this very day and beyond.

1 Peter 1:24-25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Susie: Paul’s writings comprise the lion’s share of the New Testament and contain invaluable instruction concerning the conduct of churches as well as individual believers. The Holy Spirit could not be confined in prison along with Paul. He inspired Paul to write the letters which have reached countless numbers of people with the gospel.

2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Susie: The elect are those God has chosen from the foundation of the world for salvation. However, they still need to hear the gospel to activate the faith God has given them to trust in Jesus.

Romans 10:14-15 (NASB) How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

Romans 10:17 (NASB) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Susan: The hardships Paul had to endure were worth it to him for the sake of the souls who needed to hear the gospel message.

2 Timothy 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

Susan: When we die to self, meaning fleshly appetites, our old sin nature, by surrendering ourselves to Jesus we become a new creation. The Holy Spirit now lives in and through us, and we become God’s instrument of Kingdom change.

Susie: I love the illustration of the butterfly. The ugly, creeping caterpillar in a sense dies as it is encased in the chrysalis. Then a transformation takes place and a beautiful butterfly emerges and flies away. Our sinful lives were ugly like something creeping on the ground. Then Jesus transformed us and enables us to soar with Him.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Susan: Having this new life that Jesus purchased for us on the cross is exponentially different from the existence we experienced before. It is a life filled with purpose and joy with the glorious hope of eternal life with our First Love, Jesus Christ.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Susie: Becoming a Christian, dying to our old nature and being transformed, does not guarantee an easy life even though it is more abundant. Jesus tells us we will suffer persecution. However, we are promised that Jesus has overcome and will enable us to do so as well. Also, we know that this life in our earth-suits is only temporary, a vapor, compared to the joys of our forever home with Him.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Susan: “Deny” in this context is complete rejection of Jesus as Messiah and Lord, the One sent by the Father as the ransom for our sins to bring us into right relationship with Him. It is a complete denial rather than a passing doubt.

2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Notes from Reformation Study Bible:

2:13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful. This is a wonderful affirmation of assurance that although we are called to endure and be faithful, salvation does not rest ultimately on our faithfulness, but upon that of Christ (v. 19).

he cannot deny himself. Christian hope is rooted firmly in the unchanging character of God (Num. 23:19; Titus 1:2).

Susie: If we, as a believer, have a temporary doubt or failure to live out what we believe, Jesus does not drop us flat. Our salvation is through faith in Jesus by the grace of God and not of our doing. Therefore, it is Jesus’s responsibility to hold on to us and not the other way around. Jesus is faithful to his promise to keep us (John 10:27-29).

2 Timothy 2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

Susie: Timothy was to remind the Ephesians of all these things and exhort them in the name of the Lord to conform to that which Jesus taught.

Susan: Arguments over nit-picky things do not produce spiritual fruit. They only produce division and disunity. Paul had already written to the church at Ephesus about the importance of unity among believers.

Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

                            QUESTIONS       

1.     What is the significance of the fact that Jesus was a descendant of David?

2.        What did Paul mean by “the word of God is not bound?”

3.    In what way does the believer die with Jesus?

4.       Does our new life in Christ guarantee that everything will be easy and wonderful for the rest of our lives? Support your answer with scripture.

5.        What does Jesus promise for those who suffer because of their belief in the Gospel?

2 TIMOTHY 2:1-7 - PERSEVERING PREACHER: SOLDIER, ATHLETE, FARMER

2 TIMOTHY 2:1-7

PERSEVERING PREACHER:

SOLDIER, ATHLETE, FARMER

2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Susie: Paul had led Timothy to the Lord and discipled him. Therefore, their relationship was like father and son.

Susan: Paul tells Timothy not to be wishy-washy. He did not want his son in the faith to be wimpy, wimpy, wimpy. He is to stand firm in his reliance on Jesus by the power of God’s grace through the Holy Spirit living in him.

Susie: He may have needed encouragement to stay the course, to press on, due to the pressure of people following after false teachers. Paul himself was a good example of standing strong in the gospel despite hardships and persecution.

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Susie: When I was in a discipleship group working through books published by the Navigators, this was one of our memory verses. The principle imparted to us was that as we progressed through discipleship training, we should also be leading others to do the same—an each one teach one or two plan. Therefore, when we finished book one, we each enlisted one or two people to take through book one while we progressed to book two.

Susan: Timothy had personally witnessed Paul teaching the gospel truth many different places to many people. He taught alongside prominent teachers such as Luke and Barnabas who were also witnesses to the authenticity of the gospel message.

Susie: Paul urged Timothy to continue in his footsteps by training the future leadership of the Messianic Community, the church of Jesus Christ.

Susan: Timothy was to train those he taught to disseminate the truths of the gospel to the subsequent generation. The gospel, using this paradigm, would spread exponentially.

Susie: As Paul had fathered men such as Timothy and Titus, he expected them to be spiritual fathers to others. We, too, must be a part of spiritual reproduction by sharing what we have learned with the help of the Holy Spirit to those who are newer believers than ourselves.

2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Susie: Paul gives several illustrations for a Christian’s walk with and service for the Lord. The first is that of a soldier.

Susan: Timothy’s first inclination may have been to duck into his shell like a turtle, but Paul challenged him to stand his ground like soldier and to pursue the adversary rather than retreating.

2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Susie: When soldiers go out to battle, they do not take their spouses and children with them and continue their day jobs. While they are deployed, their total focus needs to be on the battle plan and following the orders of their superior officer.

Susan: As believers, we are not supposed to be so caught in problems, politics, economies, etc. that we neglect our duties to the Lord. Our main focus it to be on the Lord’s kingdom and its advancement.

Susie: We need to train ourselves, discipline ourselves, to listen for and heed the voice of our Captain, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is done by consistent prayer and Bible study as well as surrounding ourselves with our fellow Christian soldiers, the greatest band of brothers (and sisters) in history.

2 Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

Susie: “Strive for masteries” was speaking of competing in something like the Olympic Games. If the contestant breaks the rules, he or she is disqualified and cannot earn the medal, or in those days the crown of leaves.

Susan: We must serve the Lord in the way that He has set forth in His word. The end does not justify the means. If we do not do things the way God has set it up, whatever we have done contrary to God’s ways will be burned up.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Susie: What we do in the name of Jesus must be done according to God’s will and ways as revealed in the Bible. The athlete who wins the event has also sacrificially invested tremendous time and effort in training.

2 Timothy 2:6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

Susan: “Laboureth” is to work to the point of exhaustion. Timothy needed to work hard with his eye on the prize that God would bring the harvest in the fullness of time.

Susie: Although ministry may seem to be a thankless job much of the time, those who remain faithful to that which God has called them will certainly be rewarded by the Lord.

1 Corinthians 3:5-8 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Susan: Timothy needed to ruminate on, think about, ponder all that Paul had written to him and taught him.

Susie: We, too, need to meditate on scripture and on scriptural teaching. We need to absorb the truth not just skim over it. May the Holy Spirit enlighten us as we immerse ourselves in the study of God’s word.

QUESTIONS

1.        Why did Paul address Timothy as “son”?

2.        Do you have a mother or father in the faith who has discipled (mentored) you? Describe that relationship.

3.        Do you have any sons or daughters in the faith?

4.        Memorize and internalize 2 Timothy 2:2. Was God giving this instruction to Timothy only? To pastors only? To Bible Study leaders only?

5.        Think of two believers newer to the faith than yourself. Make a plan for helping them to grow in their walk with the Lord.

6.        To what three occupations did Paul compare the Christian’s commitment? With which of these three do you identify most?

7.        Describe how you can improve in you spiritual training. Do you need a spiritual “personal trainer?” Have you been in the Holy Spirit’s boot camp long enough to become a spiritual personal trainer for someone else?