2:1 — Our passage begins “you then, my son, be strong…” What in the previous passage, is motivating Paul to challenge Timothy to be strong?
2:1-2 — Who are these men to whom Timothy is to commit certain things? What precisely is he to commit to them? (2:1-2)
2:2 — how many generations are mentioned in this verse?
What are you doing to help Christians in the future?
2:3-7 — three types of people are described as hard workers: a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. What qualities did these different workers have that the author wants Timothy to imitate? Which type of worker do you think best depicts the life of a Christian? Why? What other images could be used to describe a Christian’s life?
2:3 – Paul told Timothy that he would have to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” What types of hardships should the Christian expect? Discuss the hardships have you had to endure (in your family, at work, at school, with your neighbours, etc.) as you have tried to live like a Christian? What hindrances have you encountered in communicating the gospel?
2:5-7 — What principles of the Christian life does Paul try to communicate through the athlete and the farmer?
2:8-10 — How can Paul’s reference to himself suffering trouble and being chained serve to encourage young Timothy to endure the same?
2:8 — Paul gives a brief description of Jesus. What two things does he say about Jesus? Of all the things he could say, why these two things?
2:10 — Paul explained to Timothy why he was willing to endure such ill treatment. What was the reason he gave?