2 Timothy: The Good Fight
The Myth of the Lone Ranger Christian
December 6, 2020 • Angela Mason
God designed us for relationships. It’s why Paul uses his final words to recognize and bless those who walked alongside him throughout his ministry. What is God trying to teach us through these deeply personal and too often skimmed verses? Perhaps even in the face of death, God’s love, experienced through community and the Holy Spirit, is all we need.
Making Peace and Finding Hope
November 29, 2020 • Joel Penney
Imprisoned, deserted, opposed — Paul details the extent of his hardship to Timothy. Yet through his personal remarks, Paul reveals that he's made peace with the past and found joyful anticipation about the future. By following the way of Christ, Paul models how to cultivate an unshakeable sense of peace and joy through the trials we face.
Keep Your Eyes on Jesus
November 22, 2020 • Jon Thompson
In his final charge to Timothy, Paul reminds us that Jesus' resurrection gave the world hope, unlike anything it had ever seen. When we build our life on this hope, we find peace and power that overrides our present circumstances — even in the face of death.
How to Prepare for Persecution
November 15, 2020 • Jon Thompson
Following Jesus involves risk and sacrifice. If some form of persecution is inevitable, how do we prepare for that future? Paul points us to the Bible. The scriptures are designed to be read for formation. They have the power to shape us into the image of Jesus. When we actively love the scriptures, we allow the Author to transform us into people who can withstand anything that comes our way.
Living in a Broken World
November 8, 2020 • Jon Thompson
How do we navigate a broken world? In times of amplified chaos, we tend to feel discouraged and vulnerable to doubt. The culprit is unrealistic expectations. As he prepares his final charge, Paul moves from encouragement to warning, describing the grim nature of the world in which we find ourselves. By recalibrating our expectations, Paul helps us replace our wishful thinking with real hope, which empowers us to endure the "now and not yet".
Dealing with False Teachers
November 1, 2020 • Jon Thompson
The world is a confusing place. From propaganda to censorship, the truth is constantly under threat — including inside the church. False teaching is like a landmine; it’s subtle, dangerous, and difficult to remove. With time running out, Paul outlines how to detect and confront false teaching without losing sight of the objective. The goal isn’t to win an argument; it’s to see salvation.
How to Endure Hardship
October 25, 2020 • Jon Thompson
Trials forge our faith. When difficulties arise, Paul encourages us to ground ourselves in the faithfulness of Jesus. Even when we struggle with doubt, Jesus remains faithful to us. That's the secret — it's not about you. The strength to endure comes from the One who has already defeated death.
Suffering for the Gospel
October 18, 2020 • Jon Thompson
Facing imminent death, Paul encourages Timothy to join him in suffering for the gospel. Is this the selfish desire of a lonely prisoner? Or is there a deeper meaning to the suffering that leads us into more security and strength than we can even imagine?
The Power to Persevere
October 11, 2020 • Jon Thompson
As crises mount, one thing becomes clear: we can’t do it alone. Imprisoned and awaiting execution, Paul writes a letter to Timothy about the power of the gospel and the cost of discipleship. If we’re going to live on mission, we need to understand where our power comes from.