Lesson Three

Game On!
A Study of 2 Timothy

God designed the home to be the place where the baton of faith is passed from one generation to
the next. Home provides fertile ground for planting gospel seeds. As Christian moms we are
called to sow the seeds of the gospel message. In Matthew 13 Jesus told the parable of the sower
and the seed. In Matthew 13:3 Jesus said, “Behold, the sower went out to sow.” We are called to
sow the good seed of God’s Word in the hearts and lives of our children but we cannot prepare
the soil. We cannot ultimately make our children believe right. In fact, the time will come when
we cannot make them behave right. Ultimately, our responsibility ends with the life we lead, the
godly influence we cultivate, the good works we perform, the testimony we generate. As
believing moms, we are called to sow the seed by verbally sharing Christ with our children and
by living a good and godly example before them. The rest is God’s work. Game on!

Timothy’s grandmother and mother had what Paul described as a sincere faith. Timothy
witnessed their consistent faith-walk, free of hypocrisy and guile. Mother and grandmother’s
godly exhortation and example prepared Timothy’s heart to respond to God’s unspeakable gift of
grace. Timothy, the child of a virtually unknown mom, began a force to be reckoned with for the
kingdom of God.

I. Paul Acknowledged Timothy’s Natural Bent-2 Timothy 1:5-8

Timothy faced opposition to his message and his leadership style. Believers as well as
unbelievers challenged his youth, his association with Paul, and his leadership abilities. He
probably felt intimidated and demoralized at times as he tried to lead the church of Ephesus and
confront the false teachers. At times, he may have shrunk back from the withering verbal assaults
on his character or his ability.

Paul recognized the traits of Timothy’s temperament. Timothy naturally shunned opposition and
shied away from confrontation. Temperaments are to the natural man as spiritual gifts are to the
spiritual man. Temperaments are hardwired in our circuitry at birth. As you mother, it is
important to understand your child’s temperament traits (or natural bent) as well as your own.
The more insight you have into his/her natural personality, the more likely you will be able to
bend the twig without breaking the branch!

Paul acknowledged Timothy’s natural bent but he also recognized Timothy’s spiritual gifts.
Timothy would have to rely on the Holy Spirit’s presence and power to enable him to fulfill
God’s call on his life. Paul wrote, I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is within
you. Fan the flame, Timothy. Get fired up for the Lord! Stand strong in the name of the Lord.

God endows all believers with spiritual gifts to employ in service to the kingdom of God.

Run Well, Finish Strong – Passing the Baton of Faith to the Next Generation
A study in the book of 2 Timothy
With the consistent cooperation of our discipline and devotion, the Holy Spirit equips and
enables us to serve the Lord. He often uses our natural giftedness in the process, although at
times we must overcome our natural bent in order to fulfill God’s plan. We must actively pursue
the things of the Lord in order to be useable for the work of the ministry. We must fan the flame
of our love for the Lord lest the fire be reduced to a mere ember and render us ineffective for
Christ.

As a mom, you must fan the flame of devotion for the Lord in your own life before you can
model this discipline for your children. This is done through prayer, Bible study, church
involvement, tithing, serving the Lord, and a myriad of other spiritual disciplines. After your
child comes to faith, you will want to help encourage your child’s spiritual life. God has a
purpose and plan for the life of your child. Part of your training in spiritual things includes
helping them to develop the ability to utilize it. Encourage them to use the gifts God has placed
within them to serve Him, not in the energy of the flesh but by the power of the Holy Spirit.

II. Paul Encouraged Timothy’s Faithful Service-2Timothy 1:8-11

In order to further bolster Timothy’s courage, Paul reminded him of God’s holy calling and
divine purpose for his life. Paul referred to his own circumstances as God-ordained. He referred
to himself as His prisoner. That is, Paul’s incarceration was according to God’s divine direction
for his life. Paul was in the center of God’s perfect will for his life even though, to the natural
man, his predicament was horrible. To Paul’s trained spiritual senses, he was resting in the
sovereign grace of God.

In order to overcome his natural bent towards timidity and operate in God’s power, Timothy
would have to learn to live in God’s sovereign grace. Paul reminded Timothy of what God had
done. He saved us and called us with a holy calling . . . according to His own purpose and race
which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity. He abolished death and brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel. (2 Tim. 1:9-10). After what God did on behalf of His lost
creation, it seems like a small thing to ask His people to serve Him with unwavering devotion!
Now He has let us be a part of spreading the good news. Surely, we all want to run well and
finish strong.

III. Paul Demanded Timothy’s Personal Holiness-2 Timothy 1:12-18

Paul wrote, Retain the standard of sound words. Guard . . . the treasure entrusted to you (2 Tim.
1:13-14). Pursue personal holiness and practical righteousness.

In light of all God has granted to us in Christ, we are required to be found faithful – even when
others are not. Everyone in Asia abandoned Paul. Only Onesiphorus was not ashamed of the
imprisoned apostle, diligently searching for him in order to minister to Paul. Learning to stand
alone is a valuable life lesson to teach your children.

Home is the God-ordained place designed to perpetuate generational faith. In our homes, we are
called to be ambassadors for Christ. As we are progressively changed into the image of Jesus
Christ, our children will impacted and influenced for the cause of Christ. The final decision will
be between every individual and God, but there is much we can do to cause our children to
hunger and thirst after righteousness. Paul wrote, It is required of stewards that one be found
trustworthy (1 Cor. 4:2). We must run well and finish strong.

Run Well, Finish Strong – Passing the Baton of Faith to the Next Generation
A study in the book of 2 Timothy
Run Well, Finish Strong – Passing the Baton of Faith to the Next Generation
A study in the book of 2 Timothy