Bible Reading
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”
[34:15] “that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
[34:32] 2 Timothy 3:10-15 “You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,”
[29:25] “my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.”
[29:27] “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”
[29:30] “while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
[02:37] “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it”
[32:21] “and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
[32:28] 2 Timothy 3:1-5 “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.”
[18:42] “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,”
[18:47] “heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,”
[19:44] “treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,”
[20:30] “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
[21:12] Observation questions
- What contrast does Paul make between the people described in verses 1-5 and Timothy in verses 10-15?
- Which parts of Paul’s life did Timothy observe besides his teaching, and why might that matter for someone learning to follow Christ? [29:42]
- What four uses of Scripture are named in 2 Timothy 3:16, and how do they move from exposing wrong thinking and behavior to building righteous habits? [45:50]
- What examples of physical care and care for hurting hearts show that Christians are called to respond to more than visible, practical needs? [13:24]
Interpretation questions
- Paul says that difficult times are marked by people who love self and pleasure rather than God. How does this explain why a Christian may feel pressure to accept cultural “solutions” that do not agree with God’s Word? [22:42]
- What does it mean that the sacred writings make a person “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus”? How does this include both coming to faith in Christ and continuing to grow in Christ? [33:41]
- Scripture equips believers for “every good work.” How can this be true while Christians still wisely seek medical help, practical skills, or counsel from mature believers in situations beyond their experience? [39:35]
- Why is humility necessary when receiving correction from another Christian, especially when the person bringing the correction does so clumsily or imperfectly? [48:57]
Application questions
- Which description in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 most clearly exposes a present struggle in your own heart—love of self, pride, love of pleasure, lack of self-control, gossip, or something else? What would daily repentance and dying to self look like in that area this week? [21:49]
- Is there a difficult situation in your life where you have been tempted to think that God’s Word is only a “starter kit,” not enough for the deeper or messier parts of life? What truth from Scripture do you need to bring into that situation? [39:35]
- Think of a person whose teaching and way of life have helped you follow Jesus. What specific qualities in that person’s faith, patience, love, or endurance are worth imitating? How could you thank God for them or learn from them more intentionally? [25:57]
- When Scripture exposes sin or another believer brings needed correction, what is your usual first response: defensiveness, excuses, discouragement, or humble consideration? What might help you bring the substance of correction before the Lord? [49:10]
- Who around you may be carrying fear, confusion, addiction, grief, stubborn resistance, or another hidden burden? What is one small, concrete way you could press in with patient listening, prayer, and biblical encouragement rather than simply stepping back? [16:56]
- Every Christian is called to serve God’s Word to someone, though no one is called to counsel everyone about everything. Where has God already placed you to encourage or disciple another person, and what next step could help you become more prepared? [52:31]
- How can this group become a place where weary and wounded people are not left alone, but are met with both compassion and the patient truth of Christ? [59:24]
