2 Timothy Bible Study 2 Timothy 1-7 (NRSV): 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I am grateful to God-whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did- when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. 6 For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; 7 for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. Background • Known as Pastoral Epistles • Authorship: Traditionally Paul, but scholarly opinion believes it is Psuedonymous • Date: Mid 60’s CE • Context: o Christian Persecution o Paul writes from Jail o Opponents of the Faith . False Teachers (Gnosticism) . Jewish Christians . Roman Oppression o Need for Encouragement o Need for Teaching (Orthodoxy) o Need for Strong Leadership Introductory Question • What types of encouragement can we use to help our fellow Christian family members to make it through this Pandemic? (please list) o What are the benefits of each type? Key Words & Phrases • Paul • Apostle • The “Will of God” • Lois (Grandmother) • Eunice (Mother) • “For the Sake of the Promise of Life” • Faith • “Rekindle The Gift”/”Stir Up the Gift” • “Spirit of Fear”(Deilia) vs. “Fear” • “Spirit of love” (Agape) o Other forms of love (Eros, Philia, Storge) • “Spirit of a Sound Mind” o Greek Word: Sophronismos . Compound word in Greek: Sozo (Salvation), Phren (Mind) . As an aside: Phrenology is a science that was used in the 1800s to study the size of the brain, cranium, to perpetuate the myth of the inferiority of indigenous people. o Saved Mind/Sound Mind . Discernment/Judgment . Discipline and Self Control Going In Depth 1. Verse 1-2 (Paul’s Greeting) • Identification: Paul is an Apostle • Commission: Paul says his commission is by “the Will of God” • Purpose: Paul says that is “For the sake of the promise of life in Christ Jesus” o Paul is suggests that the Gospel is at stake. Precariousness of the gospel. • The Addressee is Timothy o Paul addresses him as a Beloved Child • Paul Commends 3 blessings to Timothy and the Church o Grace, Mercy, and Peace 2. Verse 3-4 (Paul’s Testimony) • Paul Is “Grateful” (Remember Paul is in prison) • Paul “Worships with a clear conscience” (Lesson learned from Ancestors) • Paul Commitment to Timothy i. “Remembers Timothy in Prayers” ii. Importance of Mentorship/Accountability Partner • A Period of separation between Paul and Timothy i. We can contribute to each other’s joy 3. Verse 5-6 (Paul’s Reminder) • Paul reminds him of his family training i. The Faith of his Family: Lois (grandmother), and Eunice (mother) ii. Timothy’s Sincere Faith (Paul is sure of what Timothy possesses) • Paul reminds him to “Stir Up The Gift” or “Rekindle the Gift” i. What is his gift? Is it Faith? Charismatic gifts? Joy? • Paul reminds him of His Ordination i. “Laying on of my hands” ii. Successor/New Head of the Church • Paul reminds him to tap into God’s divine deposit: i. Spirit of Love ii. Spirit of Power iii. Spirit of Self-Discipline or “Sound Mind” Closing Questions 1. What stuck out the most to you about Paul’s Encouragement? 2. What gave Paul the ability to be selfless while enduring his own trials in prison? 3. What does Paul’s faithfulness to his protégé reveal about what’s needed in the church of today? 4. What is the significance of Paul bringing up family for Timothy? What is the significance of faithful families on our witness? 5. What is the difference between “Fear” and “The Spirit of Fear”? 6. How is The Spirit of Love, Power, and Self-Discipline exhibited? 7. What is the connection of all three spiritual gifts? 8. What happens when one or more spiritual gifts is missing? .