Michael Quattlebaum

2 Timothy 4:9-22

1. What are some of the challenges that Paul faced in doing the work that God had prepared for him?
2. Why did Paul long for Timothy to come to him?
3. How had Paul’s relationship with Mark changed since their encounter in Acts 15:36-41?
4. In verse 15, what items did Paul ask Timothy to bring to him, and why?
5. Why does Paul specifically warn Timothy about Alexander?
6. Notice in verses 16-18 that Paul was left alone to defend himself at his trial.  When ministry got messy for Paul, how did he respond?  Who did he lean on for his strength?
7. What is Paul’s expectation about difficulties still remaining in his ministry?

We have talked over the last few weeks about service, and about our own personal ministry.  We have also looked at the signs of genuine and false Godliness, and how we should live to honor Christ both in our hearts and in our actions.  Ministry is not easy.  It’s not simple.  Inevitably we are faced with difficult situations where we must make hard decisions, or where we must minister to people we might not even like.  But if we face these situations in the strength of Christ, and are pursuing them with Him first, our ultimate reward will be the same as Paul’s.  In Christ be all the glory (2 Timothy 4:18).

2 Timothy 4:5-8

1. What was required for Timothy to fulfill the ministry that he had been given?
2. What types of hardships do we face as we try to minister to people? Are we willing as individuals and as a church to do what it takes to genuinely minister to those in need? How do we discern those in genuine need? (James 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:10)
3. What does Paul mean in 2 Timothy 4:6 when he says that he is being poured out as a drink offering? (Philippians 2:17)
4. What characteristics reflect Paul’s consistent lifestyle? What example does he leave us in our walk? How can we live in a way that is solid and reflects our genuine beliefs?
5. What reward was Paul looking forward to? When did he expect to receive his reward?
6. Who is worthy to judge our deeds? Will our actions determine whether we have eternal life? Will our actions affect the rewards that we receive from the only Judge? (1 Peter 4:1-5)
7. Have you loved His appearing?

2 Timothy 4:1-8

1. How do we prepare to live out the calling that God has for us (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)?
2. Read 2 Timothy 4:1.  Why did Paul go through this special effort to charge Timothy as a teacher and leader of the church?  What was his challenge for Timothy?
3. How does Timothy’s charge apply to us today?
4. In what ways can we be prepared in all seasons?  What should we be prepared for? (1 Peter 3:15)
5. What attitude should we have as we present the gospel, correct our brothers and sisters in Christ, rebuke them, and encourage them?  How do we keep this attitude in the midst of challenges?
6. Read verses 3-4.  Now go back to chapter 3 and read verses 1-5.  Does this describe our nation today?
7. What does it mean to have a teacher “tickle your ears”?  Do you know of Bible teachers today who are saying what their audiences want to hear?
8. What should our response be to those teachers, and individuals who listen to and follow them?  What did Paul instruction Timothy to do in reaction to them?
9. In verses 6-8, Paul explains why he is writing to further prepare Timothy.  What are Paul’s rewards to living the life of example (described in 3:10-11)?  What should we expect as our reward if we live similar lives?

Are you living in a way that honors God?  Are you seeking teachers that will teach the way YOU want them to speak?  Or are you surrounding yourself with solid, Biblical teachers who teach truth, and GENUINE GODLINESS?

2 Timothy 3:10-17

1. Last week we talked about holding to a “form” of Godliness.  How can we grow in genuine Godliness?
2. What characteristics did Paul have in his life that we should follow?
3. Should we expect everything to be easy as Christians?  What types of persecutions did Paul face?  Do you face persecution?  (Acts 13-14)
4. How is persecution related to our Godliness?
5. What role does the Word have in leading individuals to salvation?
6. What role does the Word have in our day-to-day lives?
7. Who prepared Timothy by teaching him the Word?
8. In our service to the church, how should we expect to grow and develop in our abilities and maturity in order to be effective servants?
9. Where does the Word come from, and why should we take our study of the Word seriously? (2 Peter 1:20-21)

Over the last few weeks, we have been discussing our roles and individual servants within the church.  How does the Word mold and develop us as mature servants, being useful to God for his work (Ephesians 2:10)?

2 Timothy 3:1-9

1.     Make a list of the characteristics of the world in the end times from these verses:

2.     In the list that you made above, put a checkmark by each of the characteristics that describe our world today.

3.     Read verse 5 carefully. What does it mean when it says they hold to a “form of godliness”?  What is different about this godliness verses genuine righteousness?

4.     How can someone continually learn, but never come to the truth?  Is this even possible?  (1 Corinthians 2:14)

5.     Read verse 8.  Who are Jannes and Jambres?  How do we know who they are?  How are thy like the men at the end of the age?  People today? (Exodus 7:11)

6.     What should our interaction with the people described be like?  How should we reach out to them and witness to them?  How will they be exposed?

As you reflect on the characteristics of the world described in these verses, and the time in which we live, what is your reaction to our society?  How can we impact our society in a positive, productive, and faithful way that honors God?  Will it all ultimately be in vain?

2 Timothy 2:14-26

1. In this section on living right lives before God, why is so much emphasis put on how we talk, who we talk to, and what we talk about?
2. What was the problem with what Hymenaeus and Philetus were saying? Why was it causing problems?
3. In verses 20-21, explain the analogy of the different vessels. How are we to be vessels of honor? How does this analogy compare to the vessels in Romans 9:21-23?
4. What types of behaviors listed in verses 22-26 honor God?
5. What types of behaviors listed in verses 22-26 dishonor God?
6. How can we correct those who are in opposition to the faith with gentleness? Why are we to approach them with kindness and gentleness?
7. How do we become what God wants us to be? To honor Him?

Consider today what specific behaviors you need to change to become a vessel that honors God, and not one of limited or useless value to Him. How can you be the vessel that is useful to God? One of gold and silver, set aside for special use, and not common use?

2 Timothy 2:1-15

1. In verses 1-2, what does Paul teach Timothy (and us as a result of our reading it today), should be an encouragement to him?

2. What should one of Timothy’s goal be in teaching others?

3. Look at the four analogies used to teach us about our growth as believers. What can we learn from each one?
   • Soldier
   • Athlete
   • Farmer
   • Jesus

4. In looking at the example of Jesus, what is unique about the way the gospel is described? Why is it described this way?

5. What does Paul mean when he writes that the word of God is not imprisoned?

6. Who are the chosen in verse 10? Why does it say “so that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus”?

7. The statement in verses 11-13 provide 4 contrasts. How should we apply each of these to our growth as believers?
   • Death/Life
   • Endure/Reign
   • Deny Him/He Denies Us
   • Faithless/He remains

8. Now read verses 14 and 15. What is Timothy charged with? And what are we in turned charged with?

2 Timothy 1:13-18

1.     Paul instructs Timothy to follow his example.  What standard is set for Timothy in how Paul lives?  What “sound words” is Paul talking about?  (1 Timothy 1:12-15)

2.     What is the treasure that Timothy is to guard, and how does the Holy Spirit help with that?  Why does it need guarding?

3.     Read verse 15.  Now read Acts 19:1-10.  Were the people in Ephesus and to a larger degree in Asia familiar with the teachings and reputation of Paul?  If so, why did so many turn away from him?

4.     What was different about Onesiphorus?  Why was he not ashamed of Paul?  How did he serve Paul differently? 

5.     What service had Onesiphorous performed that pleased Paul?  What was his motivation in helping Paul?

6.     What could the believers in Asia learned from Romans 12:9-13?  What about us?

We should each be motivated to serve one another.  That motivation should come out of the love of God, and His Spirit working in us.  This love and service properly displayed will show others that we are different, and that God lives in us (John 13:34-35).

OK…so I totally didn’t realize that I had forgotten to blog last week’s lesson…sorry everyone!  Here it is..

2 Timothy 1:1-12

1.     Did you grow up in a Christian home?  Did you have positive influences in your home that showed you what it meant to live as a Christian?

2.     Look at Paul’s greeting to Timothy in the first 3 verses.  What is unique about the way the Paul greets Timothy compared to some of his other letters?

3.     What does it mean to have a legacy of faith?  What was Paul’s faith legacy like?  What about Timothy’s?  Why was this important in Paul’s greeting of Timothy?

4.     How are the legacies mentioned in verses 3-5 related to the spirit of power, love, and discipline described in verse 7?

5.     Read verse 8.  Why were people ashamed of the gospel?  Why were they ashamed of Paul?

6.     What was God’s purpose that Paul mentions in verse 8-10?  How were Paul and Timothy participants in this purpose?  What about us today?

7.     Explain Paul’s reason for suffering.  Where does his confidence for what he believes come from? 

8.     Read verse 12.  What needs to be guarded?  How is it guarded?