September 14, 2012
HEAR, MY SON, YOUR FATHER'S INSTRUCTION
2 Timothy 3
Jay Kreusch
Central Truth
Without the wisdom of God's Word and the power of His Son, Jesus Christ, we are only spiritual children, seeking what we think is best and not what God knows is best.
Key Verse | 2 Timothy 3:14–15
You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
2 Timothy 3
Godlessness in the Last Days
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.
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
When I signed up to write a Journey entry for 2 Timothy 3, I was only focusing on verse 16 at first. I was all prepared to write an exposition on what it means for Scripture to be inspired. Then I reread the whole chapter and was pierced by the truth that God inspired Paul to write.
I grew up without ever going to church and was an evangelistic atheist by the time I graduated from college at Tulane. Verses 2-4 in this chapter describe many characteristics of people who don't love God -- that was me! My wife's faith in Christ, though, caused me to ask questions -- questions I had thought about before, but never really considered with integrity because of my "atheist resume." Ultimately, a right understanding of God and a quest for Truth led me to trust Christ.
When my second son, J.B., died after a prenatal car accident, I experienced difficulty, suffering, and spiritual persecution like I had never thought possible. I know how I was before I met Christ, and I know myself now. The truth of the first 15 verses of this chapter set me free, and I responded in ways that I would have never thought possible before knowing Christ.
Before knowing Christ, I was a 22-year-old man-boy. Through my relationship with Him, however, I have "the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (verse 15). I held J.B. for a brief and painful moment, and that wisdom gave me a peace that transcended all understanding and guarded my heart and mind in Christ Jesus my Lord (Philippians 4:7).
Discussion Questions
Read the "ungodly resume" in 2 Timothy 3:2-5.
1. In what ways do you express these "qualifications" in your daily life when you are NOT following Scripture?
2. In what ways do you express these "qualifications" in your daily life when you ARE following Scripture?
3. Would others who are observing your trials and persecutions describe you as Paul describes himself in 2 Timothy 3:10-11, or would they describe you like Jannes and Jambres in 2 Timothy 3:6-9?
4. Do you know what it means to say that Scripture is "God-breathed" or "inspired"? If not, are you willing to learn and become equipped to answer that question?
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.