2 Timothy
This second letter to Timothy, one of Paul's Pastoral Epistles, is the last of Paul's letters. The major themes of this second epistle are:
1) "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15).
2) "Preach the Word; be prepared in season, out of season; correct, rebuke, exhort with all patience and careful instruction" (2 Tim. 4:2).
1:1-2:13: Encouragement to be Faithful
Ø What does Paul mean when he says that he prayed for Timothy day and night?
Ø What does it mean that God did not give "a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline"?
Ø What does it mean to be ashamed?
Ø What does it mean to suffer for the Gospel?
2:14-26: An Approved Workman
Ø Who is considered an "approved" workman?
Ø The words translated "do your best" are a translation of the Greek word spoudazo which means to do something with intense effort and motivation—'to work hard, to do one's best, to endeavor.'[1] Is this the way you study the Bible?
Ø An approved workman, according to Paul, takes responsibility for his actions. List some of the ways Paul encourages Timothy to be an approved workman. Do these apply to us?
3:1-9: The Last Days
Ø How does Paul describe the people of the last days? Do you see any parallels to our society today? What does this tell you?
Ø According to Paul, were their people of his day who were evil and unwilling to come to the Truth? How about today, do evil people exist today?
Ø What should our response be to people who reject the Truth?
3:10-4:8: Paul's 2nd Charge to Timothy
Ø Paul was able to say to Timothy, "you have seen my life, now emulate it". Can you say that to your Timothy?
Ø What is Paul's conclusion about how people living a godly life will be treated? Is that also true for us today?
Ø How does Paul view Scripture? Do you agree?
Ø Why is it important to get the Word of God out?
4:9-22: Other Remarks
Ø Was Paul able to make converts of everyone he knew? Are we? Who is the One who is responsible for making converts?
Ø On whom did Paul keep his eyes when he was being rejected and persecuted? How about you?
[1] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Vol. 1: Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (661). New York: United Bible societies.
No comments:
Post a Comment