Week 1: 2 Timothy 1-2
Objective:
-
Timothy’s Faith and Heritage
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Not Ashamed of the Gospel
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Be Loyal to the Faith
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Examples for strength
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Approved and Disapproved Workers
Resources:
- Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
- Catena Bible Commentary
- HEM Youssef Bible Study (English)
- Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible Study (Arabic)
Reading:
- 2 Timothy 1-2
Key verse(s):
"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" 2 Timothy 2:1
Comments:
- This epistle is considered St. Paul's farewell. It was the last letter he wrote before his martyrdom.
- St. Paul tells us the importance of the correct and Christian upbringing of children. He told St. Timothy that his strong faith came from his mother and grandmother.
- He is not ashamed of the Gospel, even if he is in jail.
- He says that God saved us and called us with a holy calling. Therefore we shouldn’t be ashamed to serve Him even if we end up in jail for His name.
- 2 Timothy 2 includes the famous analogies of faith. St. Paul tells us that we shall be strong in faith like soldiers, athletes, and farmers.
- 2 Timothy 2:15: We need to be diligent to present ourselves to God, just like we are diligent in many other matters.
- He links the previous verse with 2 Timothy 20 as he says there are many vessels in God's kingdom. Some are Gold and silver and some are just wood or clay. Think of the martyrs and the saints to be like Gold and those people who are not as honest in their faith to be like wood or clay. That's why we need to be diligent to be like those examples of gold or silver.
- 2 Timothy 22: "Flee" is one of the best techniques to avoid falling into temptations (Ex: Joseph)
Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions
- What was the role of St. Timothy’s family in his faith? How can we affect the faith of our children in the light of this answer?
- Where was St. Paul when he wrote this Letter?
- As youth, what are we to “flee” from and what are we to “pursue”? Give personal examples.
Homework:
**Servant may add more questions
- God has not given us the spirit of:
a) forgiveness b) fear c) power d) love - St. Timothy’s mother name was:
a) Lois b) Eunice c) Mary d) Miriam - A servant of the Lord must not:
a) forgive sinners b) quarrel c) be patient with the ungodly d) pursue righteousness - Flee also ________ lusts; but pursue righteousness, _______, love, _________ with those who call on the Lord out of a pure _________.