2 Timothy 1:1-14 (NIV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, my dear son:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanksgiving



3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel

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 the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

1. Shared History

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. v.5

2. Shared Spirit

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. v.7

3. Shared Calling

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. v.13

CONNECT WITH GOD (choose this practice of gratitude or the Prayer of Examen from last week)

• Gratitude: The practice of gratitude helps us to recognize and respond to the goodness of God in our lives, trusting in God’s faithful presence in the business of our days and despite the temptation to ignore the gifts of God before us. When we cultivate a posture of gratitude, we become people who trust in the God who loves us. 

Explain: Spend 5 minutes cultivating a list of gratitude. Identify three categories for gratitude from this list and focus on those three areas today: myself, my family/friends, my church, my work, my country, the world. Once you choose three areas for gratitude, then spend time journaling with the below questions as your guide for gratitude: 

1. What gifts of God do I notice?
2. Where do I notice the love, mercy, beauty, grace, or faithfulness of God in this? 
3. How is God at work actively in this? 

• Prayer of Examen: Use the guide from last week to engage for at least 5 minutes in this version of St. Ignatius’ Prayer of Examen. This style of prayer is a practice of remembering. 

CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER 

• Get into pairs and together read 2 Timothy 1:1-14. After you read, reflect together on the passage. You might consider the following questions as a jumping off point: 
• What stands out to you in this passage?
• How is the Holy Spirit using this passage to encourage you? 
• Do you have anyone in your life who is a friend of depth who remembers with you? How has that impacted your life—in particular your faith?

• Share as a group: After 10 minutes, briefly share your reflections as a whole group.

CONNECT WITH SCRIPTURE (Read the passages and review the message outline. Then select the best questions or customize the questions for your group.)

• Read 2 Timothy 1:1-14.
• Read the main points from the message outline.
• How does Paul describe Timothy’s mother and grandmother?
• What influence might multi-generational friendships have on our discipleship and faith growth? 
• What is "the gift of God, which is in you”? (v. 6)
• How does it “fan into flame”? (v. 6) 
• How has God saved us and called us? (v. 9-10)  
• What is the good deposit? (v. 14)
• What stands out to you about how Paul talks about the gospel in verses 8-13? 

CONNECT WITH GOD’S MISSION IN THE WORLD (select one question for discussion)

• 2 Timothy 1:1-14 details Paul’s encouragement to Timothy as he is called to proclaim the good news of Jesus in his community. Where are the places you are called but might feel too timid to go (think big and small)? 
• How does the relationship between Paul and Timothy demonstrate how we might broaden our companions on the journey to include those sisters and brothers who are distant from us—geographically or culturally? 

PRAYER

Pray for one another. Pray that God deepen our friendships together and also widen our friendships beyond our comfort levels. Pray as a group for one another as well as for the local and global church.