Gospel suffering

Discipleship in the church
Gospel suffering-outline
2 Timothy 1:8-12
Suffer for the gospel by God’s power since he saved you and is able to guard you

1) 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, 1:8.
How does Paul’s encouragement not to be ashamed of the gospel connect with what he said in vss.6-7? Why might Timothy be ashamed of the gospel? How may we be ashamed of the gospel today? What does Paul mean by suffering for the gospel by the power of God (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)?

2) who saved us and called us to 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, 1:9.
How what Paul says in this verse encourage Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel? How was God able to guarantee before time began that believers in Christ would be saved (Ephesians 1:4-5)?

3) 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, 1:10.
How does what Paul describes in this verse fulfill God’s purpose described in verse 9? How does this verse explain why the gospel is so important we be willing to suffer for it?

4) for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 1:11.
Why is it so important for the unchangeable truth of the gospel to know that Christ appointed Paul as an apostle, preacher, and teacher?

5) 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, 1:12.
Paul is saying that because God appointed him as an apostle, preacher, and teacher of the gospel, he suffers. Why is Paul not ashamed? “What has been entrusted to me” literally translated reads “he is able to guard my deposit.” A deposit is something that is entrusted to someone’s care, to be returned to the owner. So Paul is saying Christ is able to guard what Paul has entrusted or committed to Christ. What has Paul entrusted to Christ?
How should this text influence our everyday lives? What are ways we American Christians might suffer for the gospel? How can we American Christians participate in advancing the gospel and helping gospel sufferers in areas where it is more dangerous and difficult to be a Christian?