Bible Passages
2 Timothy 3:1-17
Discussion Questions
Starter question
The following might help get people thinking – What five words would you choose to describe the world we live in today?
Verses 1-9
- What will characterise the lives (vv.1-5) and the ministries (vv.6-9) of false teachers?
Paul tells Timothy to expect worldliness to infiltrate the church.
- How do we see love of self, money and pleasure in the church today?
- How might these things be dangers for our church?
- What kind of “form of godliness” might these false teachers have?
- How might it lack power?
- In vv.6-9, what are the methods, or strategy, of the false teachers?
- Who are the people they might prey on in churches today?
Verses 10-13
- How is Paul’s ministry in stark contrast to the false teachers?
- How would Paul’s example be an encouragement to Timothy?
- Is verse 12 still true? How so?
- If we are not being persecuted does that mean we are not being godly?
Verses 14-17
- If a faithful ministry and a godly life lead to such suffering, how is Timothy (and how are we) to stand firm and keep to it?
- What is taught here about Scripture?
- Why is Paul wanting to remind Timothy of this?
- How are we sometimes tempted to look to other things than the Bible for an effective ministry, or to be equipped for “every good work”?
Conclusion
- As you pray in the truths of the passage for yourselves, you might also pray particularly for those of our brothers who face severe persecution as they seek to live godly lives in Christ Jesus.
