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Continue in godliness and God's Word

January 1, 2017 Speaker: Gary Series: Discipleship in the church

Topic: Discipleship Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10–17

Discipleship in the church
Continue in godliness and God’s word-outline
2 Timothy 3:10-17
Continue in godliness and God’s word for it is from God to equip you for every good work

1) You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 3:10.
When Paul says “you, however,” what is he contrasting? Describe how it is helpful for Timothy to follow these characteristics of Paul.

2) 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. 3:11.
Why does Paul emphasize Timothy’s following his persecutions and sufferings? (The persecutions Paul talks about are recorded in Acts 13:48-14:20). Why does Paul mention that the Lord rescued him from all these persecutions?

3) Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived, 3:12-13.
Why is it true that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted? How do the people described in verse 13 contrast with those in verse 12? What truths are we being tempted to compromise in our day to avoid persecution or to have the world’s approval?

4) But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 3:14.
How does what Paul exhorts Timothy to do keep him from compromising? How does remembering who has taught us truth help us continue in it?

5) 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, 3:15.
How does the fact that the sacred writings (Old Testament) are able to give wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ help Timothy to continue in what he has learned? How is this relevant for us today?

6) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work, 3:16-17.
What does it mean that all Scripture is breathed out by God? Explain the value of the ways Scripture is profitable. How is it helpful to know that all Scripture is given to fully equip us for every good work?
How does what Paul says in 3:16-17 encourage Timothy (and us) to continue in what he has (we have) learned? What ways do we ensure that we are prioritizing our lives and ministry in light of verses 3:16-17?

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