Archive for the ‘Daily Bible Study & Questions’ Category

November 13th, 2018 Daily Bible Study & Questions No Comments »

2 Timothy 4:19-22 Closing Thoughts

Best part about this farewell was that it was NOT forever! They would meet again.

Paul concludes his letter like he always does,  thoughts of others. This is his last letter but he still remembers those he has served alongside.

This closing doesn’t sound as urgent as our last reading did. I guess that would also depend on when this letter was posted. If Timothy received it in Spring or Summer he had a long time before Winter arrived. But if he got it in the Fall, making it before Winter would be pushing it. Travel in Winter, for this type of journey would be impossible. And we don’t know how much time Paul had left. Read more »

November 12th, 2018 Daily Bible Study & Questions No Comments »

2 Timothy 4:9-18 Final Requests

Cared for by God in ALL circumstances.

Paul has a few personal tasks for Timothy before he closes his letter. These might sound mundane to some but they were of great importance to Paul. He fought hard and wanted a couple of comforts at the end.

This is the last letter that Paul writes, that we have anyway. This is also his second time in a Roman prison. The second time is nothing like the first. The first time he was a “prisoner” he actually lived in a house he rented. He had guards but was able to entertain visitors and interact fairly freely with his neighbors. This time, he is not treated gently. In my efforts to learn more about this time, I found a reputable write-up about it at Biblehub.com. Check it out if you wish.

Paul knows, from the tenor of his encounters with the courts, that he is not getting out this time except through death. He is ready for this and looks forward to seeing Jesus. He is not angry at this outcome or fighting it tooth and nail. He simply wishes for a few of his best friends to be present with him for support and a couple of his treasured belongings. Read more »

November 10th, 2018 Daily Bible Study & Questions No Comments »

2 Timothy 4:1-8 Preach it Brother!

Before you can share the truth you have to know the truth yourself. DIG DEEP in His word!

Paul is winding up his letter to Timothy. He shares his strongest command to Timothy now; “Preach the word” (verse 2a).

Paul is passing the torch to Timothy. Since his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he has preached the word with an uncompromising spirit. Opposition did not matter. He spoke only the truth and he did it whenever and wherever he could. But he knows his end is near.

Timothy has been trained by Paul and approved by the Holy Spirit to take up Paul’s torch. Paul calls him into service by the strongest means he knows; “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His Kingdom: preach the word” (verses 1-2a). Read more »

November 9th, 2018 Daily Bible Study & Questions No Comments »

2 Timothy 3:10-17 Fully Equipped

No magic. Just a relationship bringing life and understanding.

Paul returns his focus to Timothy. He extols his perseverance in following Paul’s example of following Jesus. Paul also assures Timothy that it is not going to get easier but to lean into the word, which will see him through.

Paul is not expecting to get out of his current situation. He wants to leave Timothy with a strong word of encouragement. The best accolade he has to offer is what he has seen in Timothy’s life. Paul has followed wherever the Holy Spirit has led him. And Timothy has faithfully followed. Timothy hasn’t simply tagged along but joined in fully, even in times of persecution. Timothy has “followed my teachings, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecution and sufferings” (verses 10-11a). Read more »

November 8th, 2018 Daily Bible Study & Questions 2 Comments »

2 Timothy 3:1-9 Watch List

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and the behaviors reflect.

Paul shares with Timothy a list of attitudes and behaviors in people to be on the lookout for. Although we pray that God saves all, some are going to refuse Him. Those that do, on a continual basis, Paul says to “avoid such people” (verse 5b).

Paul starts by saying “that in the last days” (verse 1) these kinds of people will be visible. The last days started at Pentecost and continue until Jesus’ final return. We definitely fit that timeframe. And we certainly see many examples of these attitudes lived out today in our societies.

Some of these attitudes and behaviors are easier to spot than others. Arrogant, Brutal, heartless, treacherous, reckless and swollen with conceit are some of the more obvious traits in people we are to avoid. Having the appearance of godliness but denying its power, unholy, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and not loving good may be harder to identify. At some point or other I think we all would have been included in this list. The difference though is between “visiting” the list and “living” there. Read more »