September 12, 2012
RELATIONSHIPS -- A GIFT FROM GOD
2 Timothy 1
Emily Barina
Central Truth
In God's perfect plan for us, He wired us to know and be known by others. True community is a gift from God.
Key Verse | 2 Timothy 1:13–14
Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. (2 Timothy 1:13-14)
2 Timothy 1
Greeting
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.
Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You
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.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to 1 1:9 Or with a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 2 1:9 Greek before times eternal 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 3 1:12 Or what I have entrusted to him; Greek my deposit 13 Follow the pattern of the sound 4 1:13 Or healthy words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— 18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.
Dive Deeper | 2 Timothy 1
Thanks to technology, we get to chat with our friends and family whenever we want (or don't want) to. Caller ID has afforded us the luxury of declining calls, replying with texts, while email allows us to hide behind a screen and keyboard. I confess that my insecure and selfish heart finds safety in staying on the surface with people; not diving deep, knowing and being known by people -- the way God created us (for we were made in His image, and He exists three-in-one . . . RELATIONSHIP!).
Paul and Timothy had history (Acts 16). Acknowledging someone must eventually replace him, Paul poured into Timothy, mentoring him in their travels together. Understanding Paul's wisdom and authority, Timothy absorbed his teaching. Their relationship was personal and profound, leaving us with one of several examples how God intends for us to live in true relationship with one another.
As we prepare for our child, I found verse 5 leaping off the page, SCREAMING AT ME! Look at the faithfulness of a grandmother and mother, pouring into Timothy so he had a saving knowledge of the Lord (in spite of having a Greek father). Later in the passage, we see two examples of poor relationship, Phygelus and Hermogenes; these "friends" deserted Paul in his hour of need. But the comparison is great . . . here comes Onesiphorus setting a great example: "he eagerly searched for me and found me" (verse 17).
All these examples underline the importance of our one priority relationship -- Jesus Christ. He sought us out (Onesiphorus), He is faithful (Lois and Eunice), He calls us son (Paul). How are you living out these qualities in your relationship with Christ? Are you seeking Him out, sitting at His feet, exercising the spirit of power, love, and self-discipline we were given (verse 7)?
At Watermark, community is integral to our culture because God wired us for it and commanded that we live in such a way. Admittedly, that is one of my (many) weaknesses, but when I seek to obey my Lord and acknowledge His perfect plan for my life, I submit to His design for living in community.
Discussion Questions
1. If you were a link in a chain, to whom are you linked that supports you (your Paul), and to whom are you linked that you support (your Timothy)?
2. If you are currently not in community, what are your reasons? Can you support them with Scripture?
3. If you are in community, list the benefits (encouragement, accountability, etc.)
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
September 10-14 (1 Timothy 5 – 2 Timothy 3)
Read 2 Timothy 3:10-17.
• What all had been happening to Paul?
• What does verse 12 tell you?
•
What are ways that you might be persecuted today?
• Reread verses 14-17, what do these verses tell you about God's Word?
•
Why is it important to know and believe that the Bible is absolutely trustworthy?
• When Paul was being persecuted, do you think God's Word helped him?
• How can it help you when you are being persecuted?
Activity: Go to kidsofcourage.com and read one of the stories about others suffering because of their faith in Christ. Then take time to pray for them. Do this each day, reading a different story and praying.
4. Take a moment to pray for those in your community group, neighbors, family. They are part of God's plan for your life.