February 10, 2020
This week we start a six-week series that will be simply known as Sufficiency. This series is designed to re-focus our church on the essential truths upon which our Christian faith is built. These anchors of the faith were reestablished 500 years ago as the Reformers swept through Europe. In today’s secular and postmodern environment, we need to recapture the passion and truth of these essential elements of the Gospel. We will consider together the importance of Scripture being our authority and sufficiency for all things. We will ponder the exclusive claims of salvation – Salvation is by Grace alone through Faith alone and in Christ alone. When we consider these wonderful gospel truths we should marvel and give glory to God alone. If the church loses its understanding of these rallying cries from the Reformation, it loses the gospel.
Please read 2 Timothy 3:1-17
1. What is the context of this letter? Where was this letter written from, who was it written to and as you have read chapter 3 what is the warnings that are given?
2. In verses 10 and 11 Paul outlines 9 principles and concepts for Timothy to consider. What are those principles and concepts? What is the overwhelming testimony of Paul with relation to persecutions and suffering?
3. What is the general instruction of verse 12. How does a desire to live a godly life relate to persecution? According to Titus 2: 11-12 what is the catalyst for renouncing ungodliness?
4. In verse 14 Paul provides a contrast statement. What is he contrasting? Paul also gives Timothy a command, what is the command? What are the two aspects to this command?
5. Paul has been building a case that Scripture is a good safeguard against deception and apostasy. He looks at the nature of Scripture and then at the results of obeying Scripture.
What is the key concept relating to the nature of Scripture? (Perhaps look at 4-5 English bible versions to determine the nature of Scripture) Why is this concept pivotal for believers?
6. Verse 16 talks about four things that Scripture is useful and profitable for. List those things. (Once again look at 3-4 different bible versions to help determine these concepts)
7. Think about times in your life when Scripture has taught you truth, has refuted error, has restored or corrected your life and discipline you in right living. Share these experiences with your group and spend time thanking God for his instruction.
8. What is the purpose of Scripture according to verse 17?
9. (Optional question) What are the challenges that we face in today’s church with relation to the authority, inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture? How does the study of this passage in 2 Timothy help resolve these issues?