2 Timothy
Continuation
We interrupted some of Paul’s advice to his younger friend and colleague, Timothy, and resume it again in I Timothy Chapter 6 verse 3, where Paul’s very personal word to Timothy continues …
A Spiritual Health Check
Chapter 6 verses 3 to 10 about the need to put the first things of God, first, and put money in its place.
Chapter 6 verses 11 to 21 – a reminder that Christian integrity matters.
II Timothy has three main parts:
1. Expounding the Christian faith (Chapters 1 to 2)
2. Exposing Counterfeit faiths (Chapter 3 verses 1 to 9)
3. Embodying the continuing faith (Chapter 3 verse 10 to end of Chapter 4.
In encouraging Timothy, the deeply personal sense of Christian love is not hidden.
Input
* Chapter 1 verses 1 to 7
Your Faith Needs Fire, “Timothy, my dear son …” (verse 2)
The reference to Timothy’s mother and grandmother is poignant, but so is the absence of any word about his Greek father … !
* Chapter 1 verses 8 to 18 Our faith grows under suffering.
* Chapter 2 verses 1 to 10 Faith that perseveres, wins.
* Chapter 2 verses 11 to 13 Faith that can, can sing.
* Chapter 2 verses 14 to 26 Faith does communicate – when it is real.
Question – If you feel occasionally like ‘giving up the struggle’, what does this passage say to you?
Counterfeit Faith
Counterfeit faith does exist (Chapter 3 verses 1 to 9) and it shows itself to the world eventually-Chapter 3 verses 1 to 5 and it does have a habit of spreading -Chapter 3 verses 6 to 9, and preying on the vulnerable.
Paul’s final word to Timothy encourages him to keep on living the faith which:
* is not reduced but refined by suffering-Chapter 3 verses 10 to 14
* is rooted in scripture-Chapter 3 verses 15 to 16
* reinforced by sharing it-Chapter 4 verses 1 to 5
* ready to go all the way-Chapter 4 verses 6 to 18
Question – The difference between a tutorial and a master class is – what?
Which do you have in these letters?
Incidentally, if you are very observant, you will have noticed Paul quoting early Christian creeds and hymns, which include:
I Timothy Chapter 1 verse 15
Chapter 3 verse 1
Chapter 3 verse 16
Chapter 4 verse 9
Chapter 6 verses 13 to 16 and in
II Timothy chapter 2 verse 8
Chapter 2 verses 11 to 13
Chapter 4 verses 1 to 2
Let your prayers together be centred on truly following the living Jesus.
Optional Reading for Next Session read Paul’s letter to Titus.

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