Paul tells Timothy to pass down what was taught to him about Jesus Christ to “faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” See, it is crucial as disciple makers that we aren’t about entertaining the crowds, building our own platforms, or just hanging out with other Christians…that’s called friendship and that is wonderful… BUT disciple making is intentionally pouring into others who will reproduce by teaching others the Word of God and how to walk with the Lord. And if you are pouring into others, deep bonds will form like Paul’s and Timothy’s but the goal of disciple making is multiplication. That’s why Paul says we are called to be diligent like soldiers for Christ spreading the gospel. “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (🧐 Doesn’t that sound a lot like these days?!)
Timothy has followed in Paul’s footsteps and Paul exhorts him to continue growing in the things that he has learned beginning when he was a boy and he was taught by his mom and grandma; “and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
The importance of reading the Bible over all the other supplemental books, Christian commentaries, and celebrity Christian social media posts is that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Plus, we are ALL called as disciples of Jesus Christ to be prepared to preach the Word of God at all times. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (🧐 again, sounds familiar.) “BUT YOU be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, DO THE WORK of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
Paul ends his letter encouraging Timothy to finish well as he has done – “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Tomorrow we begin reading a letter written to the Hebrews (it is debated whether or not Paul is the author of this letter so we will go with the author is unknown to avoid foolish disputes as Paul told us to do yesterday). Keep reading.
(2 Timothy 2:1-4:18)
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#chronologicalbibleteaching
Chronological Bible in Layman's Terms 