Happy Friday and welcome to Bible Study Snacks! I'm excited to journey through another Bible study series with you. Those of you who have followed our other studies know I like to keep them short, informative, but to the point.
The new study series that starts this week is on the The Second Epistle of Timothy, or 2 Timothy. As always, I hope you had a great week, and that today finds you in good health, positive in energy, and strong in faith! Before we start, a little background information is in order.
The very first verse of 2 Timothy (2 Timothy 1:1) tells us that the author of the book is the apostle Paul. 2 Timothy was written around A.D. 67, not too long before Paul was put to death. Feeling lonely and forgotten, Paul wrote this book while he was being held as a prisoner in Rome.
As he wrote this he felt that his time on earth was drawing to an end. Thus, we can look at 2nd Timothy as some of Paul's last words. Even so, he managed to look past his own troubles and show his concern for the churches, and especially for Timothy.
Paul desired to use his final words to encourage Timothy, and the rest of the believers to press on in faith (2 Timothy 3:14); and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 4:2).
As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let us pray together...
"Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen"
If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are some things to think about for this week's lesson...
This Weeks Objectives: Participants should be able to...
* notice the great love that existed between Paul and Timothy.
* consider the exhortations to faithful service given by Paul to Timothy.
* compare the people who abandoned Paul, with a faithful friend like Onesiphorus.
For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically 2 Timothy, Chapter 1...
The apostle Paul begins this letter to his "beloved son" with a prayer for grace, mercy and peace in his behalf. Thankful to God for the unceasing memories that he has of Timothy in his prayers night and day, Paul greatly desires to see the young man. Seeing him again will bring great joy as Paul is mindful of Timothy's tears and his unfeigned faith (2 Timothy 1-5).
Paul's purpose in writing begins in earnest with a series of exhortations toward steadfast service. He encourages Timothy to stir up the gift of God which was in him by the laying on of Paul's hands, to neither be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord nor of Paul His prisoner, and to hold fast the pattern of sound words which he had heard from Paul, keeping it by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Timothy is then reminded of those who had forsaken Paul, but also how Onesiphorus had proven to be a true friend and brother by virtue of his courage, diligence, and service (2 Timothy 1:6-18).
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) How does Paul describe Timothy in his salutation? (2 Timothy 1:2)
2) How did Paul serve God? (2 Timothy 1:3)
3) What two things came to Paul's mind when concerning Timothy? (2 Timothy 1:4-5)
4) What two women had this genuine faith before Timothy? (2 Timothy 1:5)
5) What did Paul remind Timothy to stir up? (2 Timothy 1:6)
6) What had God given Paul and Timothy? (2 Timothy 1:7)
7) What two things did Paul not want Timothy to be ashamed of? (2 Timothy 1:8)
8) How has God saved us and called us with a holy calling? (2 Timothy 1:10))
9) What has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ? (2 Timothy 1:10-11)
10) What two things has Jesus done according to 2 Timothy 1:10?
11) To what three functions had Paul been appointed relating to the gospel? (2 Timothy 1:11)
12) Though Paul suffered, why was he not ashamed? (2 Timothy 1:12)
13) What was Timothy to hold fast? (2 Timothy 1:13)
14) How was he to keep that good thing that was committed to him? (2 Timothy 1:14)
15) Who had turned away from Paul? (2 Timothy 1:15)
16) What four good things are said about Onesiphorus? (2 Timothy 1:16-18)
17) What two things did Paul desire of the Lord? (2 Timothy 1:16,18)
After completing this week's study, I encourage you to go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around!
As always, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until our next time together...
God bless you!
Sheri
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