10 But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance, 11 along with the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured — and yet the Lord rescued me from them all. 12 In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, 15 and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
I. Following the Example of Living (2 Timothy 3:10-11)
10 But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance,
11 along with the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured — and yet the Lord rescued me from them all.
A. A to Follow (Verse 10)
10 But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance,
1 Timothy 4:13 CSB – 13 Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.
B. The of Persecution (Verse 11)
11 along with the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured — and yet the Lord rescued me from them all.
Acts 9:15-16 CSB – 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. 16 “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
II. Persecution and the Increase of Evil (2 Timothy 3:12-13)
12 In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
13 Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived.
A. Truth (Verse 12)
12 In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Matthew 5:10-11 CSB – 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 11 “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me.
B. The Spiral of Evil (Verse 13)
13 Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived.
2 Timothy 3:8 CSB – 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth. They are men who are corrupt in mind and worthless in regard to the faith.
III. The Power of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, 15 and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
A. in What You Know (Verse 14)
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you,
1 Thessalonians 2:13 CSB
This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.
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B. The Impact of Scripture (Verse 15)
15 and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 22:6 CSB
Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.
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C. The Nature of Scripture (Verse 16)
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,
Romans 15:4 CSB – 4 For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.
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D. The Value of Scripture (Verse 17)
17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8 CSB
And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.
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Community Life Group Discussion Questions
2 Timothy 3:10-17
- (Verse 10) Paul lists several qualities Timothy has followed in him: teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance. Which of these qualities do you find most challenging to emulate in your own life, and why?
- (Verse 11) Paul recounts the persecutions he endured, stating, “and yet the Lord rescued me from them all.” How does knowing that Paul experienced severe hardship, but God was faithful, encourage you when you face smaller trials or opposition?
- (Verse 13) Given that “evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived” , what are some practical steps we can take to guard against deception and maintain discernment in our lives?
- (Verse 17) The ultimate goal of Scripture is to make the “man of God complete, equipped for every good work”. What does it mean to be “complete” as a believer, and how does consistent engagement with Scripture actively equip you for the good works God has prepared for you?
- Challenge Question – Based on Sunday’s message, what is one specific action you will take this week to more intentionally engage with Scripture or follow a godly example in your life?
How can we pray for you?