July 7, 2014
I'M GONNA NEED A LITTLE MORE
2 Timothy 3:10–17
Kelly Nix
Central Truth
God's work is prepared for us; are we prepared?
Key Verse | 2 Timothy 3:16–17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
2 Timothy 3:10–17
All Scripture Is Breathed Out by God
10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom 1 3:14 The Greek for whom is plural you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God 2 3:17 That is, a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression) may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Dive Deeper | 2 Timothy 3:10–17
Have you ever had friends who were persecuted for their faith in Jesus? Maybe you knew someone in school who questioned the teacher because the teaching contradicted God's Word. Or perhaps you know a missionary, risking her life to share the good news of Jesus. I think these friends are getting it right.
In this passage, Paul challenges Timothy to advance the gospel and continue carefully to follow the things he had been taught from God's Word and their time together. And it would be challenging! Timothy had seen Paul kicked out of a city, stoned multiple times, and left for dead. Each time Paul was persecuted, he knew that God could deliver him, but also that He might not.
Paul reminds Timothy of the love he showed to those who opposed him, just as Jesus had done. He reminds Timothy that God has breathed out truth and fulfilled it in Christ and that the truth will be there for Timothy even after Paul is gone.
This is what my friends do for me. First, they love me, and then they point me back to God's Word. They know that God has a plan and knows what's best for me! If I can just see what He has to say about it, He will direct my next step. Then, I, too, will advance the gospel. And who doesn't want what's best for them?
Elsewhere in the New Testament, Paul reminds us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). He also reminds us that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
God's Word tells me that I can't get things right, but it also assures me that my Savior has paid the penalty that I deserved. In response to the gift of an eternity with my Creator, every day I go back to His Word for a reminder that He's not finished with me yet, and every day He is right there waiting with MORE!
Discussion Questions
1. Do you have a "go-to" friend who will tell you what God's Word has to say about the choices you are making in your life? Does this friend encourage you to go the Bible and ask God to help you dig deeper to find it for yourself?
2. Have you heard the Bible's teaching, but never surrendered your life to Christ through faith and accepted the gift of grace offered to you at the cross? If so, just lay it all at His feet -- there is living water and joy when you rest in Him!
3. Are you willing to hear what God's Word says about Christ and the life found in Him? Read John 1:1-3, John 8:30-32, John 10:24-26, and Ephesians 2:7-9.
4. Do you find yourself surprised by Scripture? If so, what is one of those promises that just blows you away?