JOIN WITH ME IN SUFFERING FOR THE GOSPEL
2 Timothy 1:1–18
Key Verse: 1:8
1. How does Paul identify himself? (1) How does he describe his faith and hope? (Tit1:2) What was the relationship between Paul and Timothy? (2a; Php2:22) How did Paul bless him from his prison cell?
2. In his thanks to God, how did Paul describe the way he served God? (3a) Why did he mention his conscience at this time? (Ac23:1; 24:16; see also 2Ti1:12a) How did he describe his prayers for Timothy? What did he recall, and of what did this remind him? (4–5a) How could Timothy have such sincere faith at such a young age? (5b)
3. What was God’s gift to Timothy, and why did he need to be reminded to fan it into flame? (6; 1Ti4:13–14) What might have inhibited him? What did Timothy need to serve God? (7) What can we learn from Paul here about how to encourage young believers?
4. Read verse 8. What might have caused Timothy to be ashamed? (8a,12a,16b) What things cause Christians to be ashamed today? What strong encouragement did Paul give Timothy? (8b) In what ways can we participate in suffering for the gospel? Why do we need the power of God to do so?
5. What grace does the gospel give us? (9a) How can we receive that grace? (9b) How did our Savior Christ Jesus reveal this grace, and why might this have been especially meaningful to Paul at that time? (10) Why was Paul suffering? (11–12a) Why was this no cause for shame? (12b) How can we have a conviction like Paul’s?
6. What must Timothy do, and how could he do it? (13–14) Why is it so important for us to “guard” the gospel teachings, no matter what the suffering involved? What were the two contrasting responses to Paul’s imprisonment? (15–18) What can we learn from Onesiphorus?