Chapter Summary

Walk of a good soldier of Christ in times of apostasy.

Discussion Questions for 2 Timothy, Chapter 2

1. Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:1 to be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Grace is defined as the unmerited favor of God. How does the unmerited favor of God give us strength?
2. Paul challenges Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:2 to teach others what he has learned from Paul so that they also will teach more. A phrase that describes this process is "making disciples who make disciples." Has someone discipled you? Describe how they discipled you. How are you teaching others what you have been taught about the Christian walk of faith?
3. Paul instructs Timothy to be a good soldier of Christ Jesus. How does a person fight as a good soldier of Christ Jesus?
4. 2 Timothy 2:4 says, "No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him." The previous verse establishes being a soldier for Christ. What are civilian pursuits in this context? If we are soldiers of Christ, how does this apply to us? How are we to juggle providing for ourselves and our families but also serving Christ?
5. 2 Timothy 2:5-6 describes that the athlete is to compete by the rules and the farmer is to work hard to be successful. How important are compliance and hard work to modern-day society? How much should society influence our personal habits? Describe a time you were pressured to break the rules, but instead you remained consistent with obeying God.
6. Paul describes himself as bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. How does the word of God remain free? Looking through history, how successful have countries been trying to limit access to Bibles? Why do you think God's word cannot be contained?
7. Paul instructs Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 that he is to do his best to present himself to God as approved. Timothy does not need to be ashamed if he handles the word of truth, the Bible, correctly. How does a pastor handle the Bible correctly? What are the effects if he doesn't teach or handle the Bible correctly?
8. Paul instructs Timothy to "avoid irreverent and empty speech" (CSB) when instructing others. What types of conversations and topics qualify as "irreverent and empty speech?" How do you teach people about scripture without including irreverent and empty speech?
9. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 teaches that there are believers of all of types that are honorable and dishonorable using an analogy of different types of vessels. Verse 21 says if anyone cleanses himself from something dishonorable that they can be used by God for a good work. To cleanse oneself from dishonorable things takes self-discipline. How self-disciplined are you? What are habits you do to maintain self-disciplined? If you have accountability partners in your life to help with self-discipline, how much freedom do you give them to speak in your life?
10. Read 2 Timothy 2:24-25. Have you been able to show kindness to an enemy that ultimately leads them to Christ? How is being able to show gentleness to someone who opposes you a sign of maturity? Can we be frustrated and still show gentleness? Why or why not? How mature would you say you are in this area? Why do you think of yourself in that manner?

Key Words/Phrase

Good soldier, v. 3.

Characters

Christ, Paul, Timothy, David, Hymenaeus, Philetus, Satan.

Strong Verse(s)

3, 11, 12, 13, 15, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25.