II Timothy Chapter 1
Sometimes our walk of faith seems difficult, and we are tempted to just quit. All we need is a little encouragement to remind us that our efforts of faith are not in vain. We need a reminder of the eternal perspective of the gift of our salvation. This is what Paul was doing for Timothy, he was providing encouragement to a young man who was tasked by God to lead a congregation of recently converted people to Christianity. Paul encouraged Timothy that he had been given a gift to teach and preach the Word. Paul reminded him that his gift was not just something he would put on a like a set of clothes, but the gift was inside of him, put there by God as his purpose for being on this earth. And so, Paul wrote to Timothy to fan the flame of the gift he had been given.
I can think of no greater New Year’s pep talk than this passage. God has given you a gift, it is inside of you, and He wants you to fan the flame and use that gift for His glory. It may be that you are not sure what gift(s) God has given you, and so I encourage you to ask Him. He will show you. Or maybe you know what gift God has given you, but you kind of quit because life got in the way. I encourage you to fan the flame and make this new year of 2025 the year you seek to bring glory to God’s name with your own life.
Let's Reflect
1. What does Paul say that he does for Timothy night and day?
2. Paul was not able to visit Timothy at the time he wrote this letter. What was he sure of if he were able to visit him?
3. One way that Timothy was encouraged by Paul to keep on going was a reminder of the legacy of faith that stood behind him. Who had been influential in Timothy’s life in his walk with Christ? Who was influential in your life to bring you to faith in Jesus Christ?
4. We do not need to be afraid to use our gifts for God. Why?
5. When we are given a calling or a gift from God (which He gives them to all believers), according to verse 9 what type of a calling is it?
6. What is the evidence that our faith and the gifts He puts inside of us to use are real? See verse 10.
7. Paul said in verse 8 that he was a prisoner, yet he was not afraid. In verse 12 he told us why he was not afraid. Why was that?
8. Paul had presented a pattern that Timothy could copy or follow. What was that pattern?
9. The gift(s) that are entrusted to us our valuable. For example, if someone has the gift of hospitality and they invite someone into their home who doesn’t know Jesus, that just might be the event that causes them to turn to Christ. What does Paul say about how we should value the gift God gave us?
10. Paul ended the chapter speaking about a man who encouraged him in the faith. Who was that? Maybe you can think of someone who could use a little encouragement today.
