2 Timothy 2:1-2 / Wed PM StudyA number of years ago, two teenagers were found in their attic bedroom, chained to their beds. They had been confined to the attic since early childhood. They were disoriented and almost animalistic in their behavior. They had been under nourished and unloved for many years. Because of the way they had been raised they were under developed in every way, physically, emotionally, socially and mentally.

Sadly, many Christians can be under developed spiritually, because they never receive the spiritual food and training they need, or because they don't eat enough of the spiritual food and they're offered.

One thing is clear from Scripture - God gives both the teacher and the disciple responsibilities when it comes to Growing up Spiritually. Plain and simply - the one who has been entrusted with God's Word and Christian discipleship has the responsibility to Entrust it to someone else. * Pass on what you have. Illus: I think of a relay race, 4 runners, the first one starts out with the baton. Each person MUST pass the baton to the next person, it's their responsibility, to fail at passing the baton, is to fail the whole team. ** Folks, I believe many Christians today are failing the Body of Christ, because they're not passing on what's been given to them.

Read 2 Tim. 2:1-2

v. 1,Thou therefore, * in the light of what I previously challenged you about in this letter.

1. don't be ashamed of Christ
2. do be bold for Christ
3. do use your God given abilities (gifts)
4. do stand firm in all the apostolic teaching

"my son" - The father is a pattern for the son, good or bad… he is a pattern

Every Christian is called to be like Christ.

Jesus said:

Mt 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Mt 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Paul said:

1Co 4:16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

1Co 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Heb. 6:10-12

The Hebrews passages reminds us not to imitate the Lazy Christian, the unfaithful Christian. God's plan for the church moves ahead as God works through the saints that are diligent and committed followers.

You'll never be a Good leader until you've been a good follower. (who did Jesus choose to be apostles?)

We all need Spiritual strength to follow… "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." passive - be strengthened.

Philip 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. This is in the context of Ministry, Serving God.

So Paul is saying in 2Tim. 2:1, Considering your Christian responsibility, which involves following spiritual leaders, always allow yourself to be strengthened by the Lord.

Now in v. 2, Paul adds to Timothy's list of Christian responsibilities. Sad to say that many Christians look at "Christian Responsibility and Christian Commitment" as some bad thing that is not part of God's plan. Selfish, humanistic philosophies and teachings have certainly made their way into churches today. They need to be exposed for what they really are. Man's ways that lead to disobedience, which is SIN.

v. 2, And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses,

What "things"? Apostolic truths which became the NT epistles.

Acts 20:27 "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God."

2Tim. 2:2..."the same commit" - command * 2 Grk words "lay before" place in front of.

What are we to lay before others?

"the same" same truths based on Scripture alone… Many Christians are placing man's junk, man's unbiblical conclusions before others and some follow.

v. 2, "commit thou to faithful men"

What does it mean to be Faithful? [obedient, trustworthy, dependable, committed]

My personal observation through the years:

Faithful people are NOT Excuse makers, but on the other hand, unfaithful people live lives of one excuse after another.

Excuse makers are NOT excused by God:

Eve & Adam

Mat. 25, parable of the talents.

Paul, by implication is saying, to invest in an unfaithful person, is a poor investment.

What is the End result or the desired outcome from God's perspective:

Christians "who shall be able to teach others also."

Challenge: Are you faithfully passing on what's been past to you? Don't drop the baton!

2Timothy - Outlines & Notes