2 Tim 1:1-2
- Have you ever wondered or asked God “Why?”
- Why is there suffering in the world?
- Why is there fighting and wars?
- Why, if Jesus has defeated death are things not great here?
Then this second letter from Paul to Timothy is just for you.
Much like Jenga
Each piece is taken carefully, think of the piece as part of the Good News message that Paul is talking about in this letter.
You can take the piece successfully when the supports around it hold – the Good News message in every context needs ‘supports’ be it other texts from the Bible or structures that support the message. Maybe they might be your own reading of the Bible, meeting with other Christians, prayer…
Once you’ve taken a piece successfully, place it carefully on top, don’t throw away – keep building the tower going! Don’t use a different size piece, won’t fit, will be lopsided – may look very similar, but not the same, could topple the tower.
You can play solo, but it’s more fun, more challenging as you interact and work together. Similar to sharing the Good News message in the world! What if your hand is shaking as you try to remove a piece and someone with you has steadier hands, could you not enlist their help/partnership?
Read the first 2 verses – what a way to start a letter!! The point of a letter opening in ancient times was to create or resume a relationship. It outlined the Sender – Receiver – Establishment of the Relationship
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
What do you notice?
What questions do you have?
Notes for study leaders –
SENDER
Paul: Who is this?
His name appears to establish the relationship. Interestingly, he does not repeat his name anywhere else in 1 Tim, 2 Tim, or Titus – this is different to all his other letters!! Maybe suggesting greater intimacy here as he doesn’t need to repeat his name?
What is an Apostle?
Simply means “sent on God’s behalf to spread the Good News.” It is a much broader title than just the original disciples and/or a title for a formal ‘office’. Have you ever had a sense of God ‘sending’ you to share the Good News? It might be by talking to others, maybe a Sunday engage, joining a Christian group at Uni, sharing your story here at YAs…
Will of God?
The Greek words used clearly indicate his apostleship comes through God’s will alone – a will originating in God. This is different to 1 Tim 1:1 where his commission is by “command” of God.
RECEIVER
Timothy: Who is this?
Extensive mention in ALL Paul’s letters (Rom 16:21; 1 Cor 4:17, 16:10; 2 Cor; Philippians; Colossians; 1 & 2 Thessalonians) – clearly, he was a close companion of Paul’s on his ministry trips.
There is no second personal plural in the letter (except 4:22) “you all” [We don’t have much concept of the second person plural in English. But this indicates a very personal letter from Paul to ‘You’ singular (i.e., Timothy)
NATURE OF RELATIONSHIP
My beloved child
Beloved – is an emotive sense Cf 1 Tim 1:2 “genuine” or “true”.
Child – metaphorical (same idea in the Greek grammar where Paul is in the nominative [subject] and Timothy is in the dative [direct object] establishing something of a hierarchy – an elder leading, guiding, encouraging a ‘disciple’.
Grace, mercy, and Peace
Normally, a single (verb) word was used in Greco-Roman letters. Paul here expands this to 3 (nouns). In addition, it is different to all Paul’s other letters where he usually goes with “Grace to you and peace” – Mercy is the additional term utilised here. These 3 together emphasize the comprehensive work of God:
Grace – giving salvation to all through sacrifice on the Cross (often used by P in this way).
Mercy – compassion shown to sinners.
Peace – offers forgiveness for previous hostility between us and God.
God the Father
There may be 2 things in Paul’s mind here:
Discuss
1. What stands out the most to you in this opening?
2. Why is that significant to you?
3. What do you need the most out of Grace, Mercy, or Peace and why?
4. How might you go about establishing a ‘mentor’ type relationship with someone to guide an encourage you as Paul does to Timothy? If anyone already enjoys such a relationship share with the group, the strengths and ‘benefits’ you receive from that relationship!
If you don’t have such a mentoring relationship – is there someone at NCR that you might think about asking?
How might you go about that?
Kyle and Tim P would love to help you make that happen!! [We could even suggest some names of people who are keen to guide and encourage you in that way!]
End in Prayer
- Have you ever wondered or asked God “Why?”
- Why is there suffering in the world?
- Why is there fighting and wars?
- Why, if Jesus has defeated death are things not great here?
Then this second letter from Paul to Timothy is just for you.
Much like Jenga
Each piece is taken carefully, think of the piece as part of the Good News message that Paul is talking about in this letter.
You can take the piece successfully when the supports around it hold – the Good News message in every context needs ‘supports’ be it other texts from the Bible or structures that support the message. Maybe they might be your own reading of the Bible, meeting with other Christians, prayer…
Once you’ve taken a piece successfully, place it carefully on top, don’t throw away – keep building the tower going! Don’t use a different size piece, won’t fit, will be lopsided – may look very similar, but not the same, could topple the tower.
You can play solo, but it’s more fun, more challenging as you interact and work together. Similar to sharing the Good News message in the world! What if your hand is shaking as you try to remove a piece and someone with you has steadier hands, could you not enlist their help/partnership?
Read the first 2 verses – what a way to start a letter!! The point of a letter opening in ancient times was to create or resume a relationship. It outlined the Sender – Receiver – Establishment of the Relationship
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
What do you notice?
What questions do you have?
Notes for study leaders –
SENDER
Paul: Who is this?
His name appears to establish the relationship. Interestingly, he does not repeat his name anywhere else in 1 Tim, 2 Tim, or Titus – this is different to all his other letters!! Maybe suggesting greater intimacy here as he doesn’t need to repeat his name?
What is an Apostle?
Simply means “sent on God’s behalf to spread the Good News.” It is a much broader title than just the original disciples and/or a title for a formal ‘office’. Have you ever had a sense of God ‘sending’ you to share the Good News? It might be by talking to others, maybe a Sunday engage, joining a Christian group at Uni, sharing your story here at YAs…
Will of God?
The Greek words used clearly indicate his apostleship comes through God’s will alone – a will originating in God. This is different to 1 Tim 1:1 where his commission is by “command” of God.
RECEIVER
Timothy: Who is this?
Extensive mention in ALL Paul’s letters (Rom 16:21; 1 Cor 4:17, 16:10; 2 Cor; Philippians; Colossians; 1 & 2 Thessalonians) – clearly, he was a close companion of Paul’s on his ministry trips.
There is no second personal plural in the letter (except 4:22) “you all” [We don’t have much concept of the second person plural in English. But this indicates a very personal letter from Paul to ‘You’ singular (i.e., Timothy)
NATURE OF RELATIONSHIP
My beloved child
Beloved – is an emotive sense Cf 1 Tim 1:2 “genuine” or “true”.
Child – metaphorical (same idea in the Greek grammar where Paul is in the nominative [subject] and Timothy is in the dative [direct object] establishing something of a hierarchy – an elder leading, guiding, encouraging a ‘disciple’.
Grace, mercy, and Peace
Normally, a single (verb) word was used in Greco-Roman letters. Paul here expands this to 3 (nouns). In addition, it is different to all Paul’s other letters where he usually goes with “Grace to you and peace” – Mercy is the additional term utilised here. These 3 together emphasize the comprehensive work of God:
Grace – giving salvation to all through sacrifice on the Cross (often used by P in this way).
Mercy – compassion shown to sinners.
Peace – offers forgiveness for previous hostility between us and God.
God the Father
There may be 2 things in Paul’s mind here:
- Making a distinction between members of the Trinity (so indirectly confirming the idea).
- It is very personal in that God is like a father to a child [in the most positive sense!!]
Discuss
1. What stands out the most to you in this opening?
2. Why is that significant to you?
3. What do you need the most out of Grace, Mercy, or Peace and why?
4. How might you go about establishing a ‘mentor’ type relationship with someone to guide an encourage you as Paul does to Timothy? If anyone already enjoys such a relationship share with the group, the strengths and ‘benefits’ you receive from that relationship!
If you don’t have such a mentoring relationship – is there someone at NCR that you might think about asking?
How might you go about that?
Kyle and Tim P would love to help you make that happen!! [We could even suggest some names of people who are keen to guide and encourage you in that way!]
End in Prayer