JULY 2013 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved. I Timothy 2:15 1 and 2 Timothy: Sound Doctrine, Sound Living AsAs a recoveringa recovering stoic, stoic, Dr. Dr. Gerald Gerald Peterman Peterman asks asks acute acute questions,questions, such such as aswhy why did did God God give give us us emotions? emotions? HowHow are are emotions emotions supposed supposed to to help help us? us? AsAs Christians Christians we we are are called called to tolive live a robust a robust life life of ofthought, thought, action,action, and and feeling. feeling. Dr. Dr. Peterman Peterman explores explores how how Jesus, Jesus, Paul Paul andand others others used used emotions emotions to toconvey convey meaning. meaning. THE MACARTHUR NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY “Dr. MacArthur’s love for the Scripture and his many years of diligent study have resulted in a resource that is a great gift to the Body of Christ.” - Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Author, Revive Our Hearts Radio Teacher moodypublishers.com AVAILABLE AT YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL OR ONLINE BOOKSTORE OR CALL 1-800-678-6928 TODAY WITH PAUL NYQUIST President of Moody Bible Institute Investing in the Next Generation The apostle Paul As a mentor, Paul gave Timothy specific spent his final days guidance regarding shepherding the church imprisoned in a in Ephesus, but he also discipled Timothy in Roman jail. While the fundamentals of following Jesus. In an awaiting his execu- earlier letter, he challenged Timothy, “Pursue tion, he made the righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endur- most of these days ance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of by writing one last the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which letter to Timothy, his you were called” (1 Tim. 6:12). spiritual son. In this letter, Paul models for us what it looks like to invest in the next Paul invested in Timothy because he under- generation of Christ-followers. stood the critical need to pass on the torch, to leave a legacy that would continue for You see, Paul understood that God’s plan years to come. He was burdened to invest for building Christ’s church centers around in leaders who would continue building making disciples, and Paul had commit- Christ’s church long after his death. ted a large part of his life to discipling this young leader named Timothy. Timothy Today the church is over 2,000 years old, joined Paul on his second and third mis- but there is still a critical need to pass on the sionary journeys. They shared life together, torch. As the president of a Bible college and experiencing both the joy of ministry and the father of four “Millennials,” I am alarmed the hardship of suffering for the gospel. by the number of young people today who are migrating away from the church. The After Paul’s third missionary journey, he Barna Research Group recently reported that instructed Timothy to stay in Ephesus and three out of every five young Christians are care for the church there. Paul’s epistles disconnecting from the church after age 15. to Timothy were meant to encourage this young leader in his service to Christ and So let me ask you, who are you encour- His church. What a privilege we have aging to “fight the good fight of the faith” to read these intimate, personal letters (1 Tim. 6:12)? How are you investing in between Paul and his spiritual son. the next generation of Christ-followers? If you feel inadequate to disciple because Paul’s last letter to Timothy shows us the of your past, let me remind you that Paul closeness of their relationship. Paul begins had a notoriously imperfect past. 2 Timothy by referring to Timothy as “my dear son” (1:2). He reminds Timothy that May God rid us of our insecurities and he is constantly praying for him (1:3) and develop in us a deep love and genuine longs to see him (1:4). Paul’s deep love concern for the young men and women and genuine concern for his disciple are that He has put in our lives for fruitful dis- obvious throughout his letters. cipleship relationships. 1-800-356-6639 THEOLOGY MATTERS by John Koessler Sound Doctrine A popular ecumenical slogan during the doctrine would not come from outside the first part of the twentieth century assert- church but that false teachers would arise ed, “Service unites, doctrine divides.” The from within their own ranks (Acts 20:29). New Testament church believed different- ly. Doctrine is really just another word for False teaching is one of the characteris- teaching. According to Acts 2:42, those tics of the last days (2 Tim. 3:1–8). Peter who were part of the early church devo- warned that these corrupt teachers will try ted themselves to the apostles’ doctrine. to exploit the church for their own gain. They will damage the reputation of the The effect that doctrine has upon the church by their own corrupt behavior and church depends upon the nature of by the depraved conduct of those who fol- what is taught. False teaching promotes low their example (2 Peter 1:2). These false “controversial speculations” rather than teachers will call into question the church’s advancing God’s work (1 Tim. 1:4). It also foundational teachings, like the doctrine breeds envy and strife (1 Tim. 6:3). But of Christ’s Second Coming (2 Peter 3:1–4). false teaching leads to more than wrong This means that the closer we are to thinking. Ultimately it produces wrong liv- Christ’s return, the greater the threat the ing (cf. 1 Tim. 1:10). Teaching that is sound church faces from false doctrine and the (literally “healthy”) also produces sound- more it needs sound teaching. ness in faith, speech, and life (Titus 2:1–8). Sound teaching involves more than mak- It is necessary for the church to distance ing theological statements about Christ itself from those whose teaching does and His work. It also includes teaching not conform to the truth. Believers should about the moral implications of these be on guard against false teaching truths. Paul commanded Titus to “teach and avoid false teachers (Rom. 16:17). what is appropriate to sound doctrine” Likewise, the church’s leaders, especially (Titus 2:1). This included instruction about its pastors and teachers, have been the way believers of every age and sta- charged with the responsibility of pre- tion in life should behave toward one serving and proclaiming the apostles’ another. Teaching about what constitutes doctrine. Paul urged the leaders of the right moral behavior is as much an ele- church in Ephesus to keep watch over ment of sound doctrine as teaching about themselves and the flock (Acts 20:28). the deity of Christ or the cross. Doctrine, if He warned them that the threat of false it is sound, helps us to lead holy lives. For Further Study To learn more about doctrine, read A Survey of Bible Doctrine by Charles Ryrie (Moody Publishers). www.todayintheword.com FROM THE EDITORS by Elena Mafter The Roads We Travel We are half way through the year on our our disappointment with God. And every Bible journey with Today in the Word. day on this journey we thank God for The half-way mark is a good place to you, our readers. Truly, take the Word of look back at the road already taken and God, add the people of God, and you glimpse at what lies ahead. So far in have a wonderful community—a people 2013, we’ve walked through the story of who follow Jesus, and a people in the Genesis together with the characters of midst of whom He dwells. this book, we’ve reviewed the foundations of our faith, we’ve experienced again the It’s a privilege for all of us here at Moody wisdom of Proverbs, we’ve studied prayer, to be a part of the Today in the Word temptation, and the fruit of the Spirit. community! You’ve been with us all along the way—you’ve prayed with Today in To commemorate the 25th Anniversary the Word for Moody’s ministries, you’ve of Today in the Word we produced The generously supported our devotional, and Best of Today in the Word, Volume Two, a you’ve encouraged us through your let- compilation of your twelve favorite issues ters, phone calls, and e-mails. It is always through the years. The choice of the twelve amazing—and humbling—for us to hear issues was based on the reader survey in and read your testimonies. Thank you! the November 2012 issue of Today in the Here are some of them. Word. As a result of a drawing, we selected th five winners of the 25 Anniversary contest From Our Readers who received a commemorative gift from the Today in the Word team. And the win- “I hope you people do know how ners are: Sam and Joy from Cleveland, much these [Today in the Word] Ohio; Barbara from Moundville, Alabama; booklets help readers. Especially me. Gaylord from Lisbon, Iowa; Bonita from Today in the Word has always been Kent, Ohio; and Barb from Norwalk, Ohio. there for me.” We want to thank everybody who partici- pated in the survey! –Linda (via phone call) In the months ahead, as we continue “Each month as you, editors of Today our journey through the Word of God, in the Word, have been writing we’ll delve into 2 Corinthians, Song of about your 25th Anniversary, I have Solomon, and Ecclesiastes.