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
Study 2
2 Tim 1:3-7
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Paul is writing this letter from prison, below is a description of what prison life was like, have someone read it aloud so the whole group can gain a better perspective of what Paul is going through as he writes!
The prisons in Rome were squalid and physically dangerous, and delays in court procedures meant that they were usually overcrowded way beyond their capacity. Unheated, sleep was almost impossible on the rough pallets or floor, with no bedding provided. Paul would also have been wearing heavy iron chains, perhaps linked to other prisoners to prevent anyone escaping. The iron, reacting to the prisoner’s sweat, rusted, making their flesh rot; the heaviness weakened limbs already short of food, and (as many prisoners commented) the constant noise of chains on stone was yet another factor making sleep impossible. Food, beyond a meagre prison ration which was barely enough to sustain life, was the prisoner's own responsibility but how could Paul, alone and cut off in Rome, arrange that? Lack of access to water meant that prisoners were not just filthy but frequently unrecognisable from the caked-on dirt and the matted beard and hair for who would trust violent prisoners with access to a Barber and his razors? Clothes rapidly reduced to rags in such circumstances. It is no wonder that prisons were associated not only with execution, but also with death from disease and, not infrequently, suicide. The prisons were airless and unhygienic because they were largely windowless. Obviously, that prevented prisoners from getting out, but it also prevented much light from getting in. The more secure a cell was, the less light it would have had, and an underground cell would have had none at all.
In that situation Paul says: “I thank God” (v 3) and “I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day” (v 3)
Wow!! I only seem to give thanks when things are going well! And even though my life situation is so superior to Paul’s imprisonment, I struggle to pray everyday – no real ‘constantly’ in that? BUT is that our ‘take home’ message from these verses?
In part, yes, but not a striving to be as good as Paul, rather living with the same source,
Think – Pair – Share
Think about what you give thanks to God for (maybe a couple of things)
Pair up and discuss your giving thanks
Share with the group
In what ways is Paul’s giving thanks similar/different to the groups’?
How would you sum up the groups’ areas that they give thanks for – are they largely self-centred (car, great job, Uni course, partner, …)
I found this little speech (on next page) really encouraging when I first read it
Thank You Lord
Thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; in means we have plenty of food to eat.
Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; in means we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.
Thank you for those unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable last night; in means I know that many have no bed.
Thank you for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory; it means convenience.
Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly; it means is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.
Thank you for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today. it means I have baked so many things over the years.
Thank you for that tall grass that needs mowing, the lawn that needs raking; it means I can enjoy the yard.
Thank you for that slamming screen door, in means my kids are healthy and able to run and play.
Thank you for the mess to clean after a party, it means I have been surrounded by friends.
Thank you for the taxes I pay, it means that I'm employed.
Thank you for the clothes that fit a little too snug, it means I have enough to eat.
Thank you for my shadow who watches me work, it means I am out in the sunshine.
Thank you for windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing, it means I have a home.
Thank you for all the complaining I hear about our government, it means we have freedom of speech.
Thank you for the space I find at the far end of the parking lot, it means I am capable of walking.
Thank you for my huge heating bill, it means I am warm.
Thank you for the lady behind me in church who sings off key, it means that I can hear.
Thank you for the piles of laundry and ironing, it means I have clothes to wear.
Thank you for the weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, it means I have been productive.
Thank you for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, it means that I'm alive.
Thank you for all the email which bogs me down, it means I have friends who are thinking of me.
Thank you when the alarm rings, it means I can hear. There are many who are deaf.
Thank you for the morning light streaming through my window in the morning as I try to squeeze my eyes shut, it means I can see. Many are blind.
Thank you for allowing me to rise out of bed, it means I have strength. There are many who are bedridden.
Thank you for the hectic mornings with my family; it means I am not lonely.
Thank you for the messy table and unbalanced meals, it means we have food. There are many who are hungry;
Thank you for my routine, hard job; it means I have the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.
Thank you for the teenager who is watching T.V., instead of doing dishes because that means he is at home and not on the streets.
Thank you for the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.
Thank you for the loud music my children are playing because it means they are home and are safe;
We can legitimately complain about a lot of things and stuff around us, but here is a whole new way of looking at things.
Moving on in the chapter I think we can find more to help us know what we “do” or “be” in the world.
In v 7 we are told that God gave “us” a spirit (see also Rom 8:15) of power, love, and self-control. Commentators tend to agree that the reference here is to the Holy Spirit. They connect this with Acts 1:8 – “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” As the first thing mentioned here in 2 Tim is “power” (the same Greek word). So maybe the Power, Love, and Self-Control are the things we should look to rather than trying to be as good as Paul.
Power, Love, and Self-Control
Share what you understand by the word Power?
Are we to all be Donald Trumps? Is that the kind of power Paul is talking to Timothy about?
Read 2 Tim 1:8 – what does that suggest about this “power”?
It is not something that we work hard to produce but rather something God gives us because the world is not as it should be (“suffering”). This letter of 2 Tim is an encouragement from Paul to Timothy as he seeks to lead (pastor) a church. Paul does not pull any punches, he is brutally honest – there was (and is today) great suffering in the world, if we deny that we are living out something other than the Gospel, we are seeking to live according to wealth or a ‘false’ gospel which is exactly the situation that Paul is writing to Timothy about! (2 Tim 1:15, 2 Tim 4:3-4). The first thing we need is the Holy Spirit’s power to live well in this world of suffering, pain, disease, and death.
But we also need love, as we could live empowered by the Holy Spirit, but we can live selfishly still. Think now of who in this world you find hardest to love? What is it about them that makes it hard to love them? Share some of those things rather than names. God can give you the “power” to be able to love them!
A couple of people who are comfortable praying in front of a group please now pray for the things mentioned and ask the Holy Spirit to empower you all to love in the face of these challenges.
And third we need the Holy Spirit’s empowering for self-control.
Again, hear that Paul is not talking about Timothy generating more self-control!! Rather he is encouraging Timothy that all the resources he needs the Holy Spirit is desiring to ‘gift’ him! The same is true for you and me today! We, today, need power, love, and self-control amidst the challenges we face – the answer is to submit, acknowledge our need and ask the HS to empower us with love and self-control.
Which of these 3: power, love or self-control do you struggle the most with?
Knowing and receiving the Holy Spirit’s power? (this is probably like asking if you want to receive this power, that may involve choosing to become a follower of Jesus! – if that is you, please talk to someone tonight who you feel comfortable with and ask them to pray with you for this!!)
Loving others?
Maintaining self-control?
Remember that it is NOT about us trying harder!!!!
Please pray for each other to receive the Holy Spirit’s power for the purpose of loving others and maintaining self-control.
Study 3
2 Tim 2:8-10
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Notice how Paul shifts from Jesus Christ to Christ Jesus, what do you think is happening here?
It is speaking to one of the early church heresies – they found it really difficult to cope with the idea that Jesus could have been fully God yet also fully Human at the same time. The unity of both full divinity and full humanity is called the hypostatic union.
Docetism said that Jesus was fully divine and did not become fully human.
Okay I hear you saying, you’ve lost me with the big words!! Why do I care?? Why is this important?
Read Hebrews 2:17 (Amplified Version)
Therefore, it was essential that He had to be made like His brothers (mankind) in every respect, so that He might [by experience] become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things related to God, to make atonement (propitiation) for the people’s sins [thereby wiping away the sin, satisfying divine justice, and providing a way of reconciliation between God and mankind].
If Jesus was not fully human (represented by Paul’s “Jesus Christ”) nothing really happened on the cross because he wasn’t really killed. Nor can Jesus understand humanity’s struggles and pain
If Jesus was not fully divine (represented by Paul’s “Christ Jesus”) nothing was achieved by the cross, just another human died.
Paul represents this incredible truth in 2 Tim 2:8-10
Jesus Christ – the fully human [David’s offspring] could act as our High Priest, communicate with us and God and he did die.
Christ Jesus – BUT he also did rise thus defeating death. The fully divine offers real salvation (all of us can receive God’s saving from our sins).
Now this is still an inadequate description because it still separates the two natures in some respect! The truth for us is that because Jesus was BOTH fully human and fully divine something real was achieved by his death and resurrection. That something real we call Salvation and it is available to us all!!
It will be good for us to spend some time chewing on this incredible truth and what it means for us and our lives here on earth and for eternity
Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIJL_0IjDRA
And this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHXiz2YbYd0
Study 4
2 Tim 3:16
Can you think of another, more famous 3:16 verse? That’s right John 3:16
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Try
A way of reading the Bible that can offer you greater insight into the ‘message’ that God has encapsulated there for you.
Read it through as many times as there are words in the verse, emphasising one word each time:
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
You get the idea. Maybe you don’t need to emphasise the word “for” three times?
What stood out to you in reading the verse this way?
All Scripture at the time this was written (in the 1st Century) would be referring to what we have today in the Old Testament. The New Testament is still being written at this stage.
That means the magnificent story of Creation on Page 1!! BUT it also includes the awful story in Judges 19:22 and following!
What impact does this have on your reading of the Bible? Don’t read it, don’t read the awful stories, …?
“Breathed out” or “inspired” = There have been and continue to be many debates about what this actually means, here’s a summary:
I know that I find Van Gogh’s paintings “inspired”. When I use the word inspired here, I mean that they communicate a particular beauty and, to me, message of God’s magnificence. Is that ‘message’ put there by God or is it just Van Gogh? Does it matter?
“For teaching, reproof, correction, training” – Notice the cycle here
For - Positive, negative, negative, positive – Both sides are present, but we start and end with positive(s).
If it was all just beautiful stories, could it achieve all that?
What part does the Bible play in your life today? (Nothing), teaching, reproof, correction, and/or training?
Do you choose what and when to read in favour of one of these? Why?
Returning to some of the ideas in Study 1:
Having a mentor can really help keep you accountable to the vast richness of the Bible and help you (inspire you) to keep going in what can become very tough – regularly reading that which is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and training!!
Reference Jenga again – this might be stretching the metaphor just a little!! If we now look at the tower as a ‘picture’ of your life, flourishing would be building as high as possible!
Regular reading of the Bible can be “profitable” for knowing which pieces to pull/poke out, keeping a steady hand, not taking shortcuts, knowing where to put that piece on the top, knowing which ones to leave as the supports and so on. Life is NOT a game of Jenga – but the general idea holds, take a piece of your life and work on it (allow God to “speak” to it - positive, negative, negative, positive?) and it can only be reincorporated whilst the structures (bible reading, prayer, meeting with other Christians…) are still solid.
2 Tim 3:17 “So that the person of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
If you feel comfortable, share with the group what state your bible reading is in? What do you need to see, what needs to happen for that to increase/improve/ignite?
Please take time to pray for each other in this!
- 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
Study 2
2 Tim 1:3-7
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Paul is writing this letter from prison, below is a description of what prison life was like, have someone read it aloud so the whole group can gain a better perspective of what Paul is going through as he writes!
The prisons in Rome were squalid and physically dangerous, and delays in court procedures meant that they were usually overcrowded way beyond their capacity. Unheated, sleep was almost impossible on the rough pallets or floor, with no bedding provided. Paul would also have been wearing heavy iron chains, perhaps linked to other prisoners to prevent anyone escaping. The iron, reacting to the prisoner’s sweat, rusted, making their flesh rot; the heaviness weakened limbs already short of food, and (as many prisoners commented) the constant noise of chains on stone was yet another factor making sleep impossible. Food, beyond a meagre prison ration which was barely enough to sustain life, was the prisoner's own responsibility but how could Paul, alone and cut off in Rome, arrange that? Lack of access to water meant that prisoners were not just filthy but frequently unrecognisable from the caked-on dirt and the matted beard and hair for who would trust violent prisoners with access to a Barber and his razors? Clothes rapidly reduced to rags in such circumstances. It is no wonder that prisons were associated not only with execution, but also with death from disease and, not infrequently, suicide. The prisons were airless and unhygienic because they were largely windowless. Obviously, that prevented prisoners from getting out, but it also prevented much light from getting in. The more secure a cell was, the less light it would have had, and an underground cell would have had none at all.
In that situation Paul says: “I thank God” (v 3) and “I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day” (v 3)
Wow!! I only seem to give thanks when things are going well! And even though my life situation is so superior to Paul’s imprisonment, I struggle to pray everyday – no real ‘constantly’ in that? BUT is that our ‘take home’ message from these verses?
In part, yes, but not a striving to be as good as Paul, rather living with the same source,
Think – Pair – Share
Think about what you give thanks to God for (maybe a couple of things)
Pair up and discuss your giving thanks
Share with the group
In what ways is Paul’s giving thanks similar/different to the groups’?
How would you sum up the groups’ areas that they give thanks for – are they largely self-centred (car, great job, Uni course, partner, …)
I found this little speech (on next page) really encouraging when I first read it
Thank You Lord
Thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; in means we have plenty of food to eat.
Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; in means we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.
Thank you for those unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable last night; in means I know that many have no bed.
Thank you for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory; it means convenience.
Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly; it means is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.
Thank you for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today. it means I have baked so many things over the years.
Thank you for that tall grass that needs mowing, the lawn that needs raking; it means I can enjoy the yard.
Thank you for that slamming screen door, in means my kids are healthy and able to run and play.
Thank you for the mess to clean after a party, it means I have been surrounded by friends.
Thank you for the taxes I pay, it means that I'm employed.
Thank you for the clothes that fit a little too snug, it means I have enough to eat.
Thank you for my shadow who watches me work, it means I am out in the sunshine.
Thank you for windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing, it means I have a home.
Thank you for all the complaining I hear about our government, it means we have freedom of speech.
Thank you for the space I find at the far end of the parking lot, it means I am capable of walking.
Thank you for my huge heating bill, it means I am warm.
Thank you for the lady behind me in church who sings off key, it means that I can hear.
Thank you for the piles of laundry and ironing, it means I have clothes to wear.
Thank you for the weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, it means I have been productive.
Thank you for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, it means that I'm alive.
Thank you for all the email which bogs me down, it means I have friends who are thinking of me.
Thank you when the alarm rings, it means I can hear. There are many who are deaf.
Thank you for the morning light streaming through my window in the morning as I try to squeeze my eyes shut, it means I can see. Many are blind.
Thank you for allowing me to rise out of bed, it means I have strength. There are many who are bedridden.
Thank you for the hectic mornings with my family; it means I am not lonely.
Thank you for the messy table and unbalanced meals, it means we have food. There are many who are hungry;
Thank you for my routine, hard job; it means I have the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.
Thank you for the teenager who is watching T.V., instead of doing dishes because that means he is at home and not on the streets.
Thank you for the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.
Thank you for the loud music my children are playing because it means they are home and are safe;
We can legitimately complain about a lot of things and stuff around us, but here is a whole new way of looking at things.
Moving on in the chapter I think we can find more to help us know what we “do” or “be” in the world.
In v 7 we are told that God gave “us” a spirit (see also Rom 8:15) of power, love, and self-control. Commentators tend to agree that the reference here is to the Holy Spirit. They connect this with Acts 1:8 – “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” As the first thing mentioned here in 2 Tim is “power” (the same Greek word). So maybe the Power, Love, and Self-Control are the things we should look to rather than trying to be as good as Paul.
Power, Love, and Self-Control
Share what you understand by the word Power?
Are we to all be Donald Trumps? Is that the kind of power Paul is talking to Timothy about?
Read 2 Tim 1:8 – what does that suggest about this “power”?
It is not something that we work hard to produce but rather something God gives us because the world is not as it should be (“suffering”). This letter of 2 Tim is an encouragement from Paul to Timothy as he seeks to lead (pastor) a church. Paul does not pull any punches, he is brutally honest – there was (and is today) great suffering in the world, if we deny that we are living out something other than the Gospel, we are seeking to live according to wealth or a ‘false’ gospel which is exactly the situation that Paul is writing to Timothy about! (2 Tim 1:15, 2 Tim 4:3-4). The first thing we need is the Holy Spirit’s power to live well in this world of suffering, pain, disease, and death.
But we also need love, as we could live empowered by the Holy Spirit, but we can live selfishly still. Think now of who in this world you find hardest to love? What is it about them that makes it hard to love them? Share some of those things rather than names. God can give you the “power” to be able to love them!
A couple of people who are comfortable praying in front of a group please now pray for the things mentioned and ask the Holy Spirit to empower you all to love in the face of these challenges.
And third we need the Holy Spirit’s empowering for self-control.
Again, hear that Paul is not talking about Timothy generating more self-control!! Rather he is encouraging Timothy that all the resources he needs the Holy Spirit is desiring to ‘gift’ him! The same is true for you and me today! We, today, need power, love, and self-control amidst the challenges we face – the answer is to submit, acknowledge our need and ask the HS to empower us with love and self-control.
Which of these 3: power, love or self-control do you struggle the most with?
Knowing and receiving the Holy Spirit’s power? (this is probably like asking if you want to receive this power, that may involve choosing to become a follower of Jesus! – if that is you, please talk to someone tonight who you feel comfortable with and ask them to pray with you for this!!)
Loving others?
Maintaining self-control?
Remember that it is NOT about us trying harder!!!!
Please pray for each other to receive the Holy Spirit’s power for the purpose of loving others and maintaining self-control.
Study 3
2 Tim 2:8-10
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Notice how Paul shifts from Jesus Christ to Christ Jesus, what do you think is happening here?
It is speaking to one of the early church heresies – they found it really difficult to cope with the idea that Jesus could have been fully God yet also fully Human at the same time. The unity of both full divinity and full humanity is called the hypostatic union.
Docetism said that Jesus was fully divine and did not become fully human.
Okay I hear you saying, you’ve lost me with the big words!! Why do I care?? Why is this important?
Read Hebrews 2:17 (Amplified Version)
Therefore, it was essential that He had to be made like His brothers (mankind) in every respect, so that He might [by experience] become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things related to God, to make atonement (propitiation) for the people’s sins [thereby wiping away the sin, satisfying divine justice, and providing a way of reconciliation between God and mankind].
If Jesus was not fully human (represented by Paul’s “Jesus Christ”) nothing really happened on the cross because he wasn’t really killed. Nor can Jesus understand humanity’s struggles and pain
If Jesus was not fully divine (represented by Paul’s “Christ Jesus”) nothing was achieved by the cross, just another human died.
Paul represents this incredible truth in 2 Tim 2:8-10
Jesus Christ – the fully human [David’s offspring] could act as our High Priest, communicate with us and God and he did die.
Christ Jesus – BUT he also did rise thus defeating death. The fully divine offers real salvation (all of us can receive God’s saving from our sins).
Now this is still an inadequate description because it still separates the two natures in some respect! The truth for us is that because Jesus was BOTH fully human and fully divine something real was achieved by his death and resurrection. That something real we call Salvation and it is available to us all!!
It will be good for us to spend some time chewing on this incredible truth and what it means for us and our lives here on earth and for eternity
Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIJL_0IjDRA
And this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHXiz2YbYd0
Study 4
2 Tim 3:16
Can you think of another, more famous 3:16 verse? That’s right John 3:16
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Try
A way of reading the Bible that can offer you greater insight into the ‘message’ that God has encapsulated there for you.
Read it through as many times as there are words in the verse, emphasising one word each time:
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
You get the idea. Maybe you don’t need to emphasise the word “for” three times?
What stood out to you in reading the verse this way?
All Scripture at the time this was written (in the 1st Century) would be referring to what we have today in the Old Testament. The New Testament is still being written at this stage.
That means the magnificent story of Creation on Page 1!! BUT it also includes the awful story in Judges 19:22 and following!
What impact does this have on your reading of the Bible? Don’t read it, don’t read the awful stories, …?
“Breathed out” or “inspired” = There have been and continue to be many debates about what this actually means, here’s a summary:
- Every word is God’s, like he spoke all creation into being in Gen 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26 – “And God said…”.
- God dictated (word for word) to the biblical authors what to write.
- God “inspired” (i.e., motivated, got them going, …) the authors but they are humans (sinful) so there will be mistakes.
- God “inspired” the overall message – there are principles that God communicated by the ‘telling’ of these stories/accounts.
I know that I find Van Gogh’s paintings “inspired”. When I use the word inspired here, I mean that they communicate a particular beauty and, to me, message of God’s magnificence. Is that ‘message’ put there by God or is it just Van Gogh? Does it matter?
“For teaching, reproof, correction, training” – Notice the cycle here
For - Positive, negative, negative, positive – Both sides are present, but we start and end with positive(s).
If it was all just beautiful stories, could it achieve all that?
What part does the Bible play in your life today? (Nothing), teaching, reproof, correction, and/or training?
Do you choose what and when to read in favour of one of these? Why?
Returning to some of the ideas in Study 1:
Having a mentor can really help keep you accountable to the vast richness of the Bible and help you (inspire you) to keep going in what can become very tough – regularly reading that which is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and training!!
Reference Jenga again – this might be stretching the metaphor just a little!! If we now look at the tower as a ‘picture’ of your life, flourishing would be building as high as possible!
Regular reading of the Bible can be “profitable” for knowing which pieces to pull/poke out, keeping a steady hand, not taking shortcuts, knowing where to put that piece on the top, knowing which ones to leave as the supports and so on. Life is NOT a game of Jenga – but the general idea holds, take a piece of your life and work on it (allow God to “speak” to it - positive, negative, negative, positive?) and it can only be reincorporated whilst the structures (bible reading, prayer, meeting with other Christians…) are still solid.
2 Tim 3:17 “So that the person of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
If you feel comfortable, share with the group what state your bible reading is in? What do you need to see, what needs to happen for that to increase/improve/ignite?
Please take time to pray for each other in this!