Bible Study: The making of a gospel-centered leader
2 Timothy 1:1-7
Click here to read the passage, 2 Timothy 1:1-7.
Click here to read the notes and questions for 1 Timothy 6:11-21.
The Making of a Gospel-Centered Leader
1 Timothy is a letter from the Apostle Paul to his young disciple, Timothy, instructing him on how to lead the church in Ephesus. Paul likely wrote 1 Timothy around 62-64 A.D. while traveling, hoping that he would soon be able to visit Timothy in Ephesus.
2 Timothy is (likely) Paul’s final letter, written from prison as he nears death. He wrote it around 66-67 AD.
It is believed that Paul wrote this second letter from an underground chamber in Rome’s Mamertine prison. Based on the end of 2 Timothy, it seems Paul had already received a court hearing and expected to be executed soon.
Even though Paul mentioned that Luke was with him, we still picture the war-torn apostle alone and cold. He wanted his cloak, his scrolls, and to see Timothy.
In 2 Timothy, Paul encourages Timothy to remain steadfast in the faith despite persecution and hardship. Paul urges him to preach the Word boldly, endure suffering, and pass on the gospel to faithful leaders. He warns of increasing opposition and false teaching but assures Timothy that God’s Word remains powerful.
Pastor John Stott breaks 2 Timothy into four parts:
Guard the gospel (Chapter 1)
Suffer for the gospel (Chapter 2)
Continue in the gospel (Chapter 3)
Proclaim the gospel (Chapter 4)
Pastor David Platt writes:
“Indeed, this letter is both timely and timeless. For what can be more important today than to rightly guard and give the gospel to the next generation? It is often said that we are one generation away from losing the gospel. If the gospel is assumed in one generation, it will be neglected, ignored, and/or abandoned in the next. We must keep guarding, suffering for, continuing in, and proclaiming the gospel.”
Questions
We believe this is the last letter that Paul wrote before he died. What would you write if you had the opportunity to write one last letter — and to whom would you write?
Do you have a spiritual mentor? Are you a spiritual mentor to someone else? Tell us about those relationships.
How can we build strong spiritual mentorships today?
Paul tells Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God" (v. 6). What does this mean, and how can we apply it to our own spiritual gifts?
Verse 7 says God has given us a spirit "not of fear but of power, love, and self-control." What does this mean practically for how we live as men of faith?
Paul reminds Timothy of the faithfulness of past generations (v. 5). How can we intentionally pass down faith to the next generation?