2 Timothy (NIV) | Legacy | Disciple-Making | Loyalty | Communication | Sources | Thanks

TIMOTHY was a young church leader whom the Apostle Paul trained as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Raised in a Jewish home, he was well schooled in the Old Testament Scriptures from kindergarten age (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15). Paul had sent Timothy on a troubleshooting mission to the church at Ephesus, a church that Paul had a significant role in establishing (Acts 19­20).

This second letter is the old apostle's swan song-his last words of advice, inspiration, and farewell-written from a cold and apparently lonely Roman prison (2 Timothy 4:13), perhaps weeks or even days before his martyrdom (2 Timothy 4:6­8). In this stirring final scene of Paul's life, he appeals to his young protégé to raise high the torch that has been passed to him. These last words instruct Timothy to guard its flame so that it can be passed on intact to others who will do the same, generation to generation. As with the previous outline of 1 Timothy, our goal in this survey is to identify Biblical traits of healthy faith. So, young Christians, especially, will know what healthy faith is and will gain practical insight into how to cultivate it in themselves and in others long-term, with God's help.

1. LEGACY: The Stabilizing Identity Chapter 1 Here is a little identity quiz. On a sheet of paper write a one or two paragraph response to the question: Who am I? How do you answer a question like that? If you think for a while, I believe you would agree that it is difficult to understand who you are without reference to something or someone. Personal identity generally derives from what we know about who we are based on our relationship(s) to people around us. Lack of connectedness, can leave us uncertain and unstable emotionally, socially, and spiritually. A clear sense of personal definition with reference to others can contribute significantly to an individual's stability. Knowing who we are connected to, realizing that we possess a spiritual legacy of relationships with others, makes for a stable sense of who we are as believers and adds strength and vitality to our faith. a. v.1-3 The Apostle Paul's legacy the core of Paul's identity-a personal relationship with Christ v.1 the supportive roots of Paul's identity v.3­4 1) His forefathers-connection to the past 2) His relationship with Timothy-connection in the present and into the future beyond his lifetime b. v.5-15 Timothy's legacy the core of Timothy's identity-a personal relationship with Christ v.8a (see v.5a & v.7) the supportive roots of Timothy's identity 1) His family (see chapter 3:15) 2) His local church v.6 3) His relationship with the Apostle Paul v.8­15 c. v.16-18 The Onesiphorus family legacy Onesiphorus' family's mercy legacy v.16a The roots of the family legacy v.16b­18 2. DISCIPLE-MAKING: The Enduring Responsibility Chapter 2 Eugene Peterson has defined discipleship as "a long obedience in the same direction." It's common to think that spiritual change and progress should take place rapidly. The expectation that change should be rapid presumes that it is easy. But like "easy" diets, easy discipleship tends to be superficial and short-lived. Healthy faith includes a long-term commitment to the discipleship process which includes participating in making disciples. Discipleship and disciple-making are marked by the qualities of endurance and modeling. a. v.1-3 Endurance--the mark of Paul's discipleship of Timothy disciple-making is empowered by God's grace v.1 disciple-making is characterized by accurately passing on, reproducing, and multiplying the apostles' message in disciples who will do the same v.2   But more than that disciple-making is a matter of enduring hardship v.3-13 1) Paul's three inspiring illustrations of endurance ----the endurance of a soldier v.3-4 ----the endurance of an athlete v.5 ----the endurance of a farmer v.6 2) Paul's personal example of endurance ----his enduring conviction about the power of the message v.8-9 ----his enduring concern for those who await the message v.10 ----his enduring confidence about the glory that ultimately accompanies the message v.11-13 b. v.14-26 Modeling--the mark of Timothy's discipleship of others disciple-making involves reminding disciples of the basics of the faith v.14a (i.e., what Paul reminds Timothy of in the first 13 verses of this chapter) disciple-making involves warning disciples of destructive attitudes and actions v.14b   But more than that disciple-making is a matter of modeling-leading by example v. 15-26 1) modeling how to handle the Bible accurately v.15-19 ----the example Timothy is to give v.15 ----the example Timothy is not to give v.16-19 2) modeling a moral lifestyle v.19b-22 ----turning away from wickedness v.19b-21 ----pursuit of righteousness v.22 (see 1 Timothy 6:11) 3) modeling constructive communication v.23-26 ----flee destructive communication v.23-24 ----demonstrate constructive communication v.24b-26 (see 1 Timothy 4:12) 3. LOYALTY: The Fortifying Commitment Chapter 3 In the Book of Virtues, William Bennett describes loyalty as "constancy, steadfastness of attachment to other persons, groups or ideals, which we have deliberately decided to associate with." Loyalty connects us in trust as citizens, friends, family members, and believers in Christ. It is often evidenced under stress and in times of difficulty in the form of courageous acts. Loyalty can be defined by what its boundaries exclude as well as what they encompass. Healthy faith clearly defines the boundaries of its spiritual loyalties. a. v.1-9 The negative side of loyalty-exclusion distinguishing "us" from "them" v.1-5a & v.6-9 separating from "them" v.5b 1) this does not mean we remove ourselves--the "salt" and "light"--from the world (see Matthew 5:13-16; John 17:15; 1 Corinthians 5:9-10) 2) this does mean we do not have friendship and alliances with falsehood (see Romans 16:17-18; I Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 2 John 9-11) b. v.10-17 The positive side of loyalty-attachment loyalty to our convictions-beliefs we stick to no matter what v.12-14a loyalty to our "heroes"--allegiance to persons of integrity who have influenced us 14b (see v.10-11) loyalty to Scripture-the "holy" writings v.15-17 1) commitment to its main purpose-salvation through faith in Christ 2) commitment to its authority-God-breathed (see 2 Peter 1:19-21) 3) commitment to its role in our lives ----teaching: it shows us the path ----rebuking: shows us where we're off the path ----correcting: shows us how to get back on the path ----training: shows us how to stay on the path 4) commitment to its goal-to thoroughly equip us to do what is good 4. COMMUNICATION: The Compelling Assignment Chapter 4 At the core of the Christian faith is a basic message from God which Jesus and his first followers called "the good news." Jesus, who Himself is named the Word, assigned to his disciples the grand mission of communicating this message to the world's nations. Paul said the love of Christ compelled him to be an ambassador of the God given message of reconciliation to the lost world. It is inescapable that cultivating healthy faith includes the sense of obligation to involve ourselves somehow in this mission. a. v.1-2a Communication is a heavenly assignment witnessed by heaven v.1 a message from heaven v.2a b. v.2b-5 Communication is a rigorous assignment persistent communication v.2b sensitive communication methodical communication unrewarded communication v.3-5 c. v.6-19 Communication is a rewarding assignment ultimate satisfaction in the Lord v.6-8 sufficient strength from the Lord v.9-18 comraderie of fellow workers for the Lord v.19-22

Outline based on Sunday messages presented in the Fall of 1997. Recommended Sources Gordon Fee, 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, New International Biblical Commentary, Hendrickson Publishers, 1984 Craig S. Keener, IVP Bible Background Commentary, Inter Varsity Press, 1993 John R. W. Stott, Guard the Gospel: The Message of 2 Timothy, Inter Varsity Press, 1973 Thanks! Thank you to the college age disciples in my life who have caused the Apostle Paul's letters to Timothy to come alive to me. Thanks to Lis and Pete our college-age children, who my wife and I pray will pass on healthy faith to their children. And, thanks to the Michigan Tech student attenders of Evangel Baptist Church who listen so intently to God's Word explained each Sunday. --Steve Wilson

For more information, contact Evangel Baptist Church, Dr. Steve Wilson, Pastor 1114 College Avenue, Houghton, MI 49931 906/482-6626, evangelhoughtonmi@sbcglobal.net Go to Top of Page Resources Home Page Evangel Home Page Welcome A Closer Look Feature Article Calendar