2Ti 3:10-13 In what 9 ways was Paul’s life an example to Timothy and to us of faithfulness to the truth, especially in dealing with “evil men and imposters”? See 2Ti 3:10-11. As such have waxed worse and worse (KJV) have we been as faithful in our teaching, conduct, purpose, etc…? What do 2Ti 3:10-11 teach us about Paul’s acquaintance with Timothy prior to his joining Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-3)? Hint: Recall that the persecutions and sufferings Paul mentions in 2Ti 3:11 happened on his first missionary journey (see Acts 13:14,45,50, 14:1-7, 19-20). Why is it inevitable that those who want to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted? See Mat 5:11-13, John 3:19-20. Was such true in Paul’s life? Do we see evidence that this is still true today? What hope of God’s faithfulness does Paul’s example give us in the midst of such trials? See 2Ti 3:11b, 4:17-18, Ps 34:19. What does 2Ti 3:13 teach us about the reason why religious pretenders and followers of false religions can be so sincere and devoted to a lie? Does a deceived person know he is deceived?
2Ti 3:14-15 Notice in these verses that Timothy had not only learned many things from the Scriptures but become convinced about their truth; are we as convinced about the truth of those things we have learned from the Scriptures, or are we “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2Ti 3:7)? Should our goal be merely to teach others (and especially our children) the truth, or to bring them to the point where they are convinced about the truth? What is necessary to convince someone about the truth as opposed to just teaching them about the truth? See 2Ti 3:10, Phil 3:17, 2 Thess 3:7-9, 1 Tim 4:12, Tit 2:7, 1 Pet 3:1-2. Was it from Paul only that Timothy had learned the truth? Note: “whom” in 2Ti 3:14 is plural; see also 2Ti 3:15 and 1:5. What does Paul say is able to give us the wisdom that leads to salvation? What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? Is it knowing the mere facts of Scripture that leads one to salvation? See 2Ti 3:7 and 2:25; cf. Prov 9:1-6,13-18. Is it possible to understand the wisdom of Scripture without first knowing the facts of Scripture? Regardless of one’s religious pretense, if a person doesn’t have a sincere love for the truth that seeks not only to understand the facts of Scripture but also to know Wisdom, will such a one ever come to the knowledge of the truth that leads to salvation? See 2 Thess 2:10. When had Timothy’s mother begun teaching her son the Scriptures? Note: “childhood” actually refers to a newborn or even yet to be born child; cf. NIV “infancy”. Are we as faithful to teach our children?
2Ti 3:16-17 Is it a person’s secular education and training that makes him or her “adequate” (fitted, complete) for every good work? What does this teach about the common notion held today that the man of God equipped only with the truth of God’s word is not really adequate to counsel God’s people unless he has also been trained in the latest psychological theories of godless atheists? What does it mean that Scripture is “inspired”? See NASB text note and cf. NIV “God-breathed”; see also 2 Pet 1:21. For what 4 things does Paul say Scripture is useful or profitable? Note: “teaching” refers to sound doctrinal truth as opposed to the “ignorant speculations” (2:23) of religious pretenders; cf. 2Ti 3:10, 4:3, 1 Tim 1:10, 4:6,13,16, 5:17, 6:1,3, Tit 1:9, 2:1,7,10. “Reproof” refers to a rebuke or censure and implies the exposing of sin in order to bring about correction. “Correcting” means to restore to an upright state and improved condition. “Training” refers to the sort of instruction one gives a child, often with admonition and chastisement. Is it our own words or our own wisdom and understanding that is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness? What do these verses teach us about the central place the Scriptures must occupy in any true ministry of God? Cf. 1 Tim 4:13. Are we allowing the Scriptures to have these profitable effects in our lives? Are we using the Scriptures to this profit in our ministry to others? Cf. Heb 4:12.