Session: Don T Just Preserve the Word, Preach It

HHBC September 2 & 3, 2017 High School Ministry

Series: The Second Letter to Timothy Session: Don’t Just Preserve the Word, Preach It Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-22 Main Point: Persevere in the Truth of the Gospel Identities

We are Family: We believe that as redeemed believers in Christ we are a part of the family of Christ. We believe that the church is the gathering brothers and sisters in Christ, because we have all been adopted, purchased, and called into household of God. We are Servants: We believe that the ultimate servant was Jesus Christ; therefore as we are born again as Christians we are born as servants. We are made, commanded, and designed to serve one another just as Christ served us. We are Disciples: We believe that we are more than just people who know about Jesus, but that we were born again and called out to follow Jesus. None of us have yet arrived in following Him in perfection, but we all are investing in each other to follow and become the image of Christ in this world. We are Witnesses: We believe that we are not just merely following Christ, but that we have been born again to proclaim Jesus Christ both in actions and words. We are born again to live in such way that brings glory, honor, praise, and recognition to Christ. We are witnesses by being His ambassadors to the world.

REVIEW:

Paul was all alone in prison, serving time because he was a follower of Christ; one who unabashedly proclaimed Jesus as his Savior. In this passage, he lamented that all his friends had abandoned him, but still, his strength remained in his faith and hope of what was to come.

ASK: Has there ever been a time you have been ostracized for being a Christian?

SCRIPTURE:

READ: Ask one student to read 2 Timothy 4:9-22 HHBC September 2 & 3, 2017 High School Ministry

ASK: Have you ever felt abandoned by your friends or family?

ASK: How did you handle that loneliness?

ASK: How did Paul handle his loneliness?

SAY: God did not shield Paul from persecution for his belief in Jesus. He ended up in prison for a 2nd time and found himself alone. Paul’s focus wasn’t on his loneliness but on the Lord who gave him strength to continue to proclaim Jesus’ saving grace.

ASK: How did Paul stay focused on Jesus when he was faced with such isolation?

ASK: After reading this passage, what do you think you God desires of you and his Gospel? Heart

ASK: When faced with loneliness or persecution, what things of the world are you prone to run to?

ASK: Why do we run to those things in periods of loneliness or persecution?

Leader note: You might think a time this occurred in your life and share with your group.

GOSPEL

READ: Romans 8:1-3

ASK: What does the Gospel tell us about our sin and our hope, the same hope that Paul speaks of in Timothy?

(This is your opportunity to proclaim the gospel to your students. Do not pass by this chance quickly or simply assume your students already know.)

SAY: First and foremost, you need to know Jesus came to earth to save us from our sin. His mission was to suffer on the cross and rise from his physical death to sit at the right hand of God. It is through his crucifixion, forgiveness is given to all who put their faith in Jesus and ask for forgiveness of their sins. Even though we are going to mess up, we can have hope in knowing we are forgiven by Jesus’ blood. HHBC September 2 & 3, 2017 High School Ministry

SAY: In the Gospel we have the hope that when everyone else leaves us, when we face persecution or suffering, the Lord will stand by us and strengthen us just as the Lord stood by and strengthened Paul. Hands

APPLICATION

ASK: How does the Gospel give us hope when we face loneliness or persecution?

ASK: How can you keep your eyes focused on Jesus when faced with persecution or temptation to sin?

ASK: Do you have people in your life who can help you be accountable to the Gospel?

SAY: Finding a time when you can be in the word everyday will be very important to be able to persevere in God’s truth. If you need a devotional, our student ministry provides you those opportunities via the blog - http://www.hhbc.com/ministries/students/blog/. Utilizing this opportunity prepares you for our Wednesday night sermon and helps keep you in God’s word during the week.