Preach the Word

2 Timothy 3:1-4:8

Key Verse 4:1-2

This passage describes Paul's charges to Timothy.

1. Read verses 3:1-5. What makes the times we are living in (the last days) "terrible"? What does "Having a form of godliness but denying its power" mean? 

** It is people doing what is terrible that makes the times terrible. People will be the source of problems. This affirms the truth that it is man that fell, not nature or animals.  

** It means form and substance are different. You look godly on the outside, but on the inside you are corrupt, for you have lost the power to overcome the power of evil; you've lost it for you have not believed in it, and thereby effectively denied the power of God who empowers man to overcome the power of evil.  

2. Read verses 6-9. What "kind(s)" of people are described in these verses? 

** Two categories of people: evil men and imposters. Evil men are those who are just evil, and that is it. But imposters are a little different. They look godly on the outside, but on the inside they are evil. So in essence both are the same. 

3. Read verses 10-13. What motivated Paul to live differently than evil men and imposters? What will be the outcome for evil men and imposters? What will be the outcome for everyone who wants to live a godly life? (4:1,8)

** His faith made the difference, that is, he believed in Jesus raised from the dead, descended from David.

** They will start out with good news (saying "Do whatever you want, for everything is gonna be alright), but end up with bad news. This is what Paul means by "go from bad to worse". 

** They will be hit with a bunch of bad news (like persecution) but will end up with good news (that is, Jesus saying, "Well done my good servant"). 

4. Read verse 13-17. What does "All Scripture [the Bible] is God-breathed" mean? What will the Bible do for him who loves it and lives by it? 

** It means it was penned by those who have been deeply moved by the Holy Spirit who inspired them to know and write down the words from the Lord. 2Pe 1:21

** The Bible will make a man to be wise for salvation through faith in Jesus.  It will equip him to do every good work. 

5. 2 Timothy 4:1 says that Jesus will judge the living and the dead. What does "the living and the dead" mean? What does Paul mean by "his appearing and his kingdom?" Why is it important to know these things? 

** The living = the saved ones; the dead = those who are unsaved.

** His appearing = Jesus' second coming

** His kingdom = the kingdom of God Jesus is going to perfect here on earth as it is in heaven. 

** Pro 29:18 answers the question. 

6. Think about Paul's charges to Timothy in 4:2-5.  

1) Preach the Word;

2) Be prepared in season and out of season; 

3) Correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction;

4) Keep your head in all situations; 

5) Endure hardship; 

6) Do the work of an evangelist; and 

7) Discharge all the duties of your ministry.

How are these charged related to one another? 

** They are progressive in that as you preach the Lord sends people, so you need to be prepared to work on them; then as people open their hearts to you, you need to shepherd over them, by correcting, etc.; then things will go more difficult, so you need to keep your head straight, not losing your heart or temper; then more difficulties will arise, so you need to endure further; through all these, however, you need to work hard to "win" people over to Christ (which is what evangelism is all about); then as the ministry grows, you need to do all other duties like managing the ministry financially or otherwise. 

7. Read verses 6-8. Paul says, "I have kept the faith." What does it mean to "keep" faith? "Faith" believes in something or someone. What or whom did Paul believe in? Why is it important to keep faith as Paul did? 

** Keep = safeguard; not lose it but preserve it

** He believed in Jesus who rewards people for all the good things they do for Jesus, even for giving his servant a cup of water. 

** Again Pro 29:18 answers the question.

The end