2 Timothy 1 - 'Preach Jesus' Bible Study
Bible Readings
2 Timothy 1:3-14 (ESV)
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
Acts 8:26-40 (ESV)
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch…
Isaiah 56:3-8 (ESV)
3 Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely separate me from his people”; and let not the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.” 4 For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths…
Observation Questions
- In 2 Timothy 1:6-7, what specific gift does Paul urge Timothy to “fan into flame,” and what three qualities does the Spirit provide instead of fear?
- How did Philip respond when the Ethiopian eunuch asked for help understanding Isaiah’s prophecy (Acts 8:26-40)? What does this reveal about crossing cultural or social divides?
- According to Isaiah 56:3-8, what groups does God explicitly welcome into His presence, and why is this significant in light of the sermon’s emphasis on mission?
- What warning does William Booth’s parable of the rescue halls illustrate about mission drift? [49:38]
Interpretation Questions
- Why might Paul emphasize not being ashamed of the gospel (2 Timothy 1:8) in a context where suffering and exclusion were common for believers? How does this connect to the idea of “guarding the good deposit” (v. 14)?
- The Ethiopian eunuch was excluded from Jewish worship due to his identity (Deuteronomy 23:1). How does Philip’s willingness to engage him (Acts 8:26-40) reflect the gospel’s power to break down barriers?
- The sermon states, “The cross breaks sin’s power, not by spectacle but by self-giving love.” How does 2 Timothy 1:10 (“abolished death and brought life… through the gospel”) explain this?
- In the rescue hall parable, why does comfort and insularity threaten the mission of the church? [50:54]
Application Questions
- When have you felt tempted to be ashamed of identifying with Jesus or sharing your faith? What practical step could you take to “rekindle the gift” of boldness (2 Timothy 1:6-7) this week?
- Think of one person in your life who feels “excluded” or distant from God. How could you intentionally cross a relational, cultural, or emotional divide to share Christ’s love with them? [43:54]
- The sermon says, “Your testimony is a sermon.” What is one specific thing Jesus has done in your life (forgiveness, healing, freedom) that you could share with someone this month? [01:01:26]
- Reflect on William Booth’s rescue hall parable. Are there areas where your faith community prioritizes comfort over mission? What is one way you could actively resist “mission drift” in your own life? [50:54]
- How does the truth that “God’s wrath targets sin, not sinners” (2 Timothy 1:10) change the way you view your own struggles or the brokenness of others?
- The Holy Spirit is called our “helper” in guarding the gospel (2 Timothy 1:14). What daily habit could you build to rely more intentionally on the Spirit’s power rather than your own strength?