2 Timothy 4:1-8 Study Guide: Preach the Word

Community Group Study Guide — Preach the Word 
2 Timothy 4:1-8

Study Information:
This letter and these verses are likely Paul’s last words of instruction to Timothy before Paul’s execution. In the face of persecution, drift from truth in the church and evil in the culture, Timothy was charged to preach the word. This charge from Paul had a legal connotation of a testimony under oath. Paul was binding Timothy to his mission before God as a last request. If you were to give someone you loved and whom you mentored a last request, what would it be? For Paul it was “stay faithful to preach the word even when it is costly.” Sometimes we can minimize the power of God’s word in the face of a hostile world. Who will listen and does it have any power to change things? This study guide will explore the power of the preached word of God and Paul’s own view of what awaited him at the end of his race. 

Preach the Word
2 Timothy 4:1-5
This charge from Paul was given as an oath before God with three references to Jesus Christ; namely that he is the judge, he will return and he is the king of all. Paul communicated to Timothy that this charge to preach the word was the most important thing he could devote his entire life and ministry to.

As a gospel minister Timothy was to always be ready. This literally meant to be on “stand by.” Notice to that Timothy was to preach in season or out of season, basically when it was favorable or unfavorable. The word of God does not cater to our culture or change based on people’s opinions. Likewise, there may be times and places where it is difficult or exhausting or you know there will be opposition. Paul spoke from personal experience about the cost or faithfulness and readiness required as one who was in prison for preaching the word. Likewise this preaching ministry was to reprove, rebuke and exhort with complete patience and teaching. This means that preaching will require confrontation in terms of correcting error and encouragement to excel towards what is good. Every sermon you hear should challenge you, because we are not perfect and offer encouragement because we need hope from the Word. The sad reality though is that many of us do not want that from God’s word. Paul described a time where people will not endure sound teaching and would rather have their backs scratched (itching ears) by the words of their teachers so they accumulate teachers who do that. This will lead to rejecting truth and getting caught up in false stories in our culture that promise life, wisdom and insight (myths).

We see this shift in our world today in some of the preaching echo chambers out there. There are folks who only want to hear sermons that are “positive” and therefore never talk about suffering or the cross. Others, who find teachers who are into this same political or social issues they’re into or preachers who dabble in “wisdom" from different faiths. Many of us can even approach sermons like a TED talk or a YouTube video where we want insights, wisdom and tips rather than to understand the word. Do you only listen to people who already agree with you or do you want to be challenged by your pastors, elders and the books you read and messages you listen to? 

This work for Timothy was to be approached with a well balanced and clear mind. It would also be met with opposition, so it required endurance. Finally, this was his specific call of being an evangelist as he proclaimed the gospel (2 Timothy 4:5). 

You can participate in the ministry of declaring the word even if you are not a pastor or elder by being ready to share the gospel in season and out of season. Likewise, if you lead a bible study or disciple someone you will have plenty of opportunity to rebuke, reprove and exhort with complete patience as you teach. Strive to please God who tests your hearts rather than people, and make sure to offer correction and encouragement as you do (1 Thess 2:4).

The End of the Race
2 Timothy 4:6-8
Paul knew the end was near and that he was on the road to his execution. His life was being poured out as a drink offering, which is a way of saying that his blood would be spilled and he would soon depart. What goes on in your head when you think about the end? Do you think you’ll be at a place where you can look back on how your lived your Christian life with no regrets? Jonathan Edwards famously wrote 70 resolutions about how he wanted to live and he would read them each morning. His seventh resolution was, “resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.” Likewise, his ninth resolution was, “resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.” I think we’d do well to think about the end and to strive so that we can look back on our lives without regret for what could have been in terms of our faithful following of Jesus. 

At the end of his life Paul was able to confidently say that he fought the good fight and finished the race. Meaning he fought against his own sin, spiritual forces and people who opposed the message of the gospel. Likewise, he was able to stay faithful and push to the end of the race. No matter what distance you’re running or swimming, if you’re giving it all your effort, the last part can be the hardest. Paul pushed through to the end.  

Finally, Paul looked forward to what was next, not in a morbid sort of way but rather a hopeful one. Paul expected a guilty verdict in Rome’s court that would lead to his death, but he expected a “well done” verdict from God on the other side of eternity. Paul lived for the approval of God, and any who look forward to Jesus appearing will get that crown of righteousness which is that declaration of “well done!” It could be that your life right now includes a need for a lot of endurance and fighting the good fight, keep focused on what’s next and the reward promised from God. 

At your community group:
Take 15-20 minutes to share about how God has been at work in your life, prayer concerns and pray for one another.

How did God speak to you through the scripture and the sermon this week? 

Discussion Questions:
Read 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Why would preaching the Word need to happen in season or out of season? What should the goal of preaching be based on this passage?

What are some reasons people would accumulate teachers who’d suit their own passions? What do you think  are some examples of this in our culture?

How did Paul describe his outlook on his death and where his hope was? 

What opportunities has God given you to preach the gospel or teach others about truth? What barriers do you have right now and how can we help one another to be ready in season and out of season?