Philemon - Forgiving a Brother

LINK: Philemon

BACKGROUND

Philemon was probably a wealthy member of the Colossian church and the master of the runaway slave, Onesimus. Paul wrote this letter in about A.D. 60 in order to convince Philemon to forgive Onesimus and welcome him back as a brother in Christ.  

REFLECTION

From The Daily Walk, December 6/7, 2008:

Reconciling a difference is never easy and seldom pleasant, but Paul's letter provides a much-needed model in the delicate task of asking for and accepting forgiveness.   

Paul does not minimize the wrong suffered. Forgiveness is not blind to the facts, and Paul does not condone Onesimus's behavior toward Philemon. At the same time, Paul pleads for forgiveness on the basis of another's merit. Forgiving one another is possible because Jesus provided the model.

Paul promises to repay any debt owed by Onesimus. Forgiveness demands personal involvement. There is a price to be paid in terms of time, money, or inconvenience if estranged parties are to be reconciled.

After seeing Paul's model, look at your own relationships. Should you take the first step in forgiving a brother or sister in Christ? It will never be any easier than it is today.  

APPLICATION

This article on the hard work of forgiveness is a favorite.  I bolded some parts for emphasis:

The Thing We Don't Do
Forgiveness is hard work 

by Andrée Seu

Forgiving is the hardest thing you will ever do. That's why most people don't do it. We talk about it, cheer for it, preach on it, and are sure we've practiced it. But mostly the illusion of having forgiven is that the passage of time dulls memory. The ruse will come to light with hair-trigger vengeance when fresh offense hurls in to empty out the gunnysack of half-digested grievances.

I asked a few people if they'd ever forgiven anyone, and what it felt like. They gave me answers so pious I knew they'd never done it. I am at the present moment in the maw of temptation, and I can tell you there is nothing exalted about this feeling, this one-two punch to the gut that comes when you even contemplate forgiving, which is as far as I've come.

At first I decided I would forgive the person—and never speak to him again. This felt pretty good, but I saw the dissimulation in it at once. I alternately toyed with going to him to "tell him his fault" (Matthew 18:15), which is my biblical right, so there. I had the decree of rebuke written up in my head, a document of fastidious and plenary detail—all for his own good. A smarmy satisfaction accompanied the plan, so I nixed it. For now.

In C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce, a woman confronted by an angel about forgiving her husband says, "Well, I have forgiven him as a Christian." The phrase is meaningless. She then bulimically seethes for pages about his wrongdoing and her longsuffering.

Keeping one's mouth shut is commendable, and more than I have managed in the past. It will work as long as I don't go near a phone or e-mail. But I am reminded that "Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad" for two whole years after the rape of his sister Tamar, and it ate him alive till in the end he killed the man.

O my brothers, you cannot imagine the exquisite verbal retaliations I have hatched in the idle hours, each more perfect than the last: theologically impeccable, legalistically faultless, poisoned prose polished to a lethal point. Must I now relinquish these? Must I kill the little darlings? Are they not to see the light of day? Such a waste.

Forgiveness is a brutal mathematical transaction done with fully engaged faculties. It's my pain instead of yours. I eat the debt. I absorb the misery I wanted to dish out on you, and you go scot-free. Beware the forgiveness that is tendered soon after injury; be suspicious. Real forgiveness needs a time lag, for it is wrought in private agony before it ever comes to public amnesty. All true acts of courage are thus done in secret.

Pastor Tim Keller of Redeemer Church in Manhattan shares the following letter from a man who once had to forgive a woman:

"I forgave her and it took me a whole year and I had to forgive her in small sums over that whole twelve months. I paid those sums whenever I spoke to her and kept myself from rehashing the past. I paid them whenever I saw her with another man and refused self-pity and rehearsal inside for what she'd done to me. I paid them whenever I praised her to others when I really wanted to slice away at her reputation. Those were the payments but she never knew them. However, I never knew her payments, but I know she made them. I could tell."

And now the unthinkable: not only to forgive but seek the good. Nature abhors a vacuum and Jesus admits of no middle ground between hate and love. Pray for him.

When you were a child you thought like a child, that pain was something to flee. Now in the adulthood of faith, suck up your hundred denarii, because someone took your ten thousand talents upon Himself (Matthew 18), and like a lamb led to slaughter and a sheep before its shearers was silent (Isaiah 53:7). He did not retaliate but "continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23). Be so awash in the ocean of His love, my soul, that the shortcomings of all human loves will, more and more, seem but a trifling thing. (Copyright © 2006 WORLD Magazine, September 30, 2006, Vol. 21, No. 37) 

2023 Update: So bittersweet to see Tim Keller mentioned in this article as he recently passed away. A life well-lived! 

PRAYER

I love the song "Forgiveness" from the musical Jane Eyre. Helen Burns taught Jane about forgiveness, and she can teach us also. I just listened to it again this morning, many years after I wrote this original post, and it is so powerful. The lyrics are on YouTube:

PRAYER

Lord, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Amen. 

Titus 3 - Godly Living

LINK: Titus 3 (Meditate on and memorize Titus 3:5-6)

BACKGROUND

The "them" referred to in this chapter are the believers on the island of Crete. The instructions are easy to understand. Believers were to obey the laws of the Roman Empire that did not conflict with their faith so that they might influence the whole community by living out their "sound doctrine" with godly behavior. 

He reminded them of their former state when they were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to lust, and unlovingly relating to others (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 4:17-24; Colossians 3:6-7). But God our Savior (the Father who saved us through Jesus Christ our Savior) appeared and saved us not because of our deeds but solely because He is merciful. “We neither did works of righteousness, nor were saved in consequence of them; but His goodness did the whole” [Theophylact]. (A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments: Volume 2, Tit 3:5, p. 434)

He has washed us clean and given us the Holy Spirit, justifying us by His grace, making us heirs, and giving us the ability and motivation to live a godly life, practice good deeds, and avoid foolish arguments (and the divisive people who cause them). This is a central theme in the book! (In 3:8, Paul emphasizes this theme by giving another "trustworthy statement" as he did in 1 Timothy 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; and 2 Timothy 2:11.).

REFLECTION

While reflecting on God's mercy, I stopped to read The Temple by George Herbert (1593-1633), and it fit so providentially!

LOVE (III)
by George Herbert

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back,
        Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack
        From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
        If I lack'd anything.

"A guest," I answer'd, "worthy to be here";
        Love said, "You shall be he."
"I, the unkind, the ungrateful? ah my dear,
        I cannot look on thee."
Love took my hand and smiling did reply,
        "Who made the eyes but I?"

"Truth, Lord, but I have marr'd them; let my shame
        Go where it doth deserve."
"And know you not," says Love, "who bore the blame?"
        "My dear, then I will serve."
"You must sit down," says Love, "and taste my meat."
        So I did sit and eat.  (http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/herbert/love3.htm)

APPLICATION

Sometimes it is healthy to remember what you once were before you met Christ. Tell God your testimony and praise Him for His great mercy as you do. Then go and tell someone else the great things God has done in you!

Does a greater realization of His mercy motivate you toward godly living and good deeds?

PRAYER

Thank You for asking us to dine with You. Amen. 

Titus 2 - Healthy Church Through Intimate Accountability

LINK: Titus 2

BACKGROUND 

Paul goes back to contrasting godly people who apply sound (healthy) doctrine with the ungodly false teachers. He addresses several groups: older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and slaves. I will briefly define each with the results of my Greek word studies of some of the characteristics:

Older men were to be temperate in the use of wine, serious-minded, worthy of respect, self-controlled, sane in mind, having faith that was free from error, loving, and unswerving from their deliberate purpose even during trials.

Older women were to act in a way that represented holy living by not being false accusers or slanderers (the root of the Greek word is where we derive the English word, diabolical!) or drunks. Instead of doing these pointless and idle things, they were to invest deeply in younger women by teaching them about loving their husbands, and children, living self-controlled, holy lives, and being active in household duties. This would be a wonderful witness to the watching world!

Younger men were to exercise self-control by curbing their passions and being of sound estimate about themselves (notice all four groups have been encouraged in self-control/sensibility). Titus was considered a younger man so Paul told him to be an example of living out his healthy faith through good deeds, a serious attitude, and speech that was not worthy of condemnation by anyone.

Slaves were to honor God by obeying, not talking back, or stealing.

Paul concludes the chapter by saying the grace of God has brought salvation to people from all walks of life, and we must live godly lives and practice good deeds; fixing our hope on Jesus and a future with Him. The world would be watching to see if Christ really made a difference in their behavior because it certainly did not make a difference in the lives of the false teachers.

REFLECTION 

On Mother's Day this year, I got a text:

Happiest of Mother's Day! I pray that you know how many spirits, souls, sons & daughters you have blessed :) Thank you for impacting me! Love u:)

I have only biological sons, but God has blessed me with many spiritual daughters who are learning a variety of things. This week I have had many investment times. I had a "telephone chat" with one who is learning contentment in singleness and the balance between ministry and soul renewal. I had a "coach chat" with another who is managing depression and making decisions about her future. I had a walk with another navigating the waters of a newly blossoming relationship while preparing to go overseas. I had an evening meeting with another preparing to go to the Middle East in one month and wondering whether the separation will make or break her current relationship. In our Jesus Community, my husband and I encourage a newlywed couple and another young couple where the wife is still transitioning from being a career woman to a stay-at-home mom. On top of that, we will have women who are on break from their jobs in China and India stay with us for extended amounts of time. As I type, another young woman is texting me and wanting to get together tomorrow night. Life is full of investment, the eternal kind.

I am not usually "idle" so I have no time to slander or gossip like many older women (not that I would want to). Paul is exhorting Timothy to exhort his flock to live interconnected in a healthy way that brings glory to God. We can get "healthy doctrine" from a Sunday morning sermon, but Paul wants us to let that truth lead to transformational living through intimate and accountable relationships with one another.

I heartily believe the best way to live this way is not using the excuse that you have never been discipled but to invest in someone who is even a little younger than you are spiritually. You have SO much to offer others. You just do not know it.

APPLICATION 

Do not wait for an older man or woman to pop into your life. Pray for it but be an older man or woman to someone else. In the process, you will be held accountable and grow too! 

Where is the younger man or woman that you can invest in? Pray and watch for God to provide him or her. 

PRAYER

Lord, I pray that everyone reading this blog can know the wonderful joy that comes through intimate accountability with another believer. Amen. 

Titus 1 - Godly Leadership in the Church

LINK: Titus 1

BACKGROUND

Titus

Paul wrote this letter to advise Titus on how to oversee and organize the churches on the island of Crete.

Titus was Paul's "true child in a common faith" (protégé in Greek). He was from a Gentile background (Galatians 2:3). He represented Paul when there was trouble in Corinth (2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:6-7; 13-15; 8:6, 16-17). Paul visited Crete between his two Roman imprisonments and left Titus behind to "set in order what remains" (1:5) much like he left Timothy behind in Ephesus. The only other thing we know about Titus is that he left Crete to travel to Dalmatia during Paul's second imprisonment (2 Timothy 4:10).

This letter was written at the same time as 1 Timothy, sometime between his first and second Roman imprisonments, maybe between A.D. 63-66. 

The keywords in this book are sound doctrine and deeds.

Titus 1

There were two reasons why Titus was left in Crete:

1. To set in order what remains
2. Appoint elders in every city

It would be helpful to define the words elder (1:5) and overseer (1:7):

. . . in the Christian churches, those who, being raised up and qualified by the work of the Holy Spirit, were appointed to have the spiritual care of, and to exercise oversight over, the churches. To these the term bishops, episkopoi, or overseers, is applied (see Acts 20:17, 28, and Tit. 1:5 and 7), the latter term indicating the nature of their work, presbuteroi their maturity of spiritual experience. The Divine arrangement seen throughout the New Testament was for a plurality of these to be appointed in each church, Acts 14:23; 20:17; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 5:17; Tit. 1:5. (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words: Volume 2, p. 21).

By this definition, the elder was not to be a new convert but one who had walked as a believer and exhibited the qualities listed in this chapter. I will comment on some of the qualities that might be difficult to understand:

• Above reproach (anénklētos) - "'unaccused,' that is one whose character or conduct is free from any damaging moral or spiritual accusations. This first qualification also included in 1 Timothy, stands out as the fundamental qualification under which all other qualifications are subsumed. John Calvin's summary of this overarching qualification is worth repeating: '. . . he [Paul] does not mean someone who is free from every fault for no such man could ever be found, but one marred by no disgrace that could diminish his authority -- he should be a man of unblemished reputation'" (Biblical Eldership by Alexander Strauch, p. 228-229).
• Husband of one wife - This literally means a "one-woman man." It also seems to indicate that an elder was not to be divorced and remarried, but most commentators believe this does not refer to someone who remarried after the death of their spouse (Genesis 2:18; 1 Timothy 4:3) or for unmarried men. Some do not believe this refers to men who were divorced before they became followers of Jesus. This qualification also indicates that elders were men (1 Timothy 3:12).  (I know that causes much controversy, but I don't see anywhere they refer to women elders.) 
• Children who believe - "Having faithful children" is a better translation. "The contrast made is not between believing and unbelieving children, but between obedient, respectful children and lawless, uncontrolled children. The strong terms "dissipation or rebellion" stress the children's behavior, not their eternal state. . . Since 1 Timothy 3:4 is the clearer passage, it should be allowed to help interpret the ambiguity of Titus 1:6. 'Under control with all dignity' is closely parallel with 'having trustworthy children' . . . Those who interpret this qualification to mean that an elder must have believing, Christian children place an impossible burden upon a father. Even the best of fathers cannot guarantee that their children will believe. Salvation is a supernatural act of God. God, not good parents (although they are certainly used of God), ultimately brings salvation (John 1:12,13)" (Strauch, p. 229). 
• Not self-willed - Wanting your own way, arrogant, stubborn, inconsiderate of others' feelings or opinions.
• Not quick-tempered - "An angry man stirs up strife and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgressions" (Proverbs 29:22).
• Pugnacious - quarrelsome and contentious.

The rest of the qualities are easy to understand. Note the emphasis on character over knowledge and skill! 

Paul concludes the elder qualifications by stating "holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able to exhort in sound (healthy) doctrine and to refute those who contradict" (1:9). He is saying this to lead into his description of the rebellious people in 1:10-16 who are the opposite of the characteristics of an elder. 

The "circumcision group" (1:10) were the Judaizers: Jews who believed that Gentiles had to obey all the Jewish laws to become Christians. They were part of the larger group of "rebellious" false teachers who taught wrong (unhealthy) doctrine and led others into error, causing division and quarrels. Some did it out of ignorance while others did it to make money or gain power.

In 1:12, Paul is quoting a poem by Epimenides, a poet and philosopher, who lived on the island of Crete 600 years earlier. Cretans did have a bad reputation and were famous for their lying. How great that Titus was there to help them grow and mature! 

REFLECTION 

If you have been reading in the Bible Book Club, you might think, "Haven't I read this before?" 1 Timothy and Titus were written about the same time (see chart) and have parallel content that generally falls under these three categories:

• Ungodly False Teachers - 1 Timothy 1:6-11, 19-20; 6:3-5 and Titus 1:10-16; 3:9-11
• Godly Leaders - 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9
• Godly Believers - 1 Timothy 5:1-6:2; Titus 2:1-15

APPLICATION 

A good application might be to pray for the elders of your church and future elder selection. This is so important!

This application is bittersweet for me as my husband's last meeting as an elder is this coming Monday. I will miss interacting with these men who exemplify all these characteristics, and I will REALLY miss all their wives. I am having them all over for a Soup, Salad, and Supplication Supper while the men are meeting at our church. 

2023 Update: He was asked to serve another term after an eight-year break (he was working and living out of town during the week from 2013-2020). It has been great to be back in touch with the new elders and their wives. 

PRAYER

Lord, raise up godly leaders in our churches who can encourage others in sound doctrine and refute those in error. Amen. 

The first time through the Bible Book Club, Becky graciously wrote the post. Here is her take on Titus 1

2 Timothy 4 - Parting Exhortations and Instructions

LINK: 2 Timothy 4

Just a reminder: 
This is not the last Pauline epistle in the New Testament order,
but it is the last book Paul wrote chronologically,

BACKGROUND

Paul's days were numbered. He wrote this letter from prison in Rome in about A.D. 66 or 67. He would soon be executed by Emperor Nero. These are his parting exhortations as he passed the torch to the next generation of believers. 

His solemn charge to Timothy was that he would . . . 

• Preach the Word - This follows on the heels of what he had just exhorted in 2 Timothy 3. Timothy was to correct (2:25), rebuke (1 Timothy 5:20; 2 Timothy 3:16; Titus 1:13; 2:15), and encourage in his ministry at all times regardless of whether it was "popular" at the time and despite any persecution that might ensue because of it. This was important so that the Gospel would spread. 
• Fulfill His Ministry - He was to do this with serious purpose ("sober" is used several times in these letters). Behind all of this was the overarching goal of people coming into the kingdom as Paul exhorted him to "Do the work of an evangelist" (see Acts 20:17-21). Paul had definitely fulfilled his ministry. He had been "poured out like a drink offering (see Numbers 28:4-7 for the libation connected with the daily offering of the lambs) and had "fought the good fight and finished the race" of faith. He wanted Timothy to do so also.
• Be diligent and faithful - Faithfulness is a theme throughout the whole letter. In Roman athletic games, winners were given a laurel wreath. It was a sought-after prize and a symbol of triumph and glory. Paul knew that he would receive the "imperishable wreath" of righteousness because of his faithfulness (see 2 Corinthians 5:10 and 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Paul longed for Timothy to come to him because some had deserted him, and he was at the end of his life.  Here are some cross-references for the people mentioned in the closing comments of his letter:

• Demas - Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:9-10; Philemon 23,24
• Luke - Luke 1:1-4; Acts. 1:1-2; 16:10-13; 20:5-6; 21:1-18; 27:1-28:31; Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11
• Mark or John Mark - Acts 12:12,25; 13:5,13; 15:36-40; Colossians 4:10-11; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philippians 24; 1 Peter 5:13
• Tychicus - Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-8; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12
• Alexander - Acts 19:33; 1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 4:14-15 
• Prisca and Aquila - Acts 18:1-3; 18-19; 24-26; Rom. 16:3-5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19

Paul's closing benediction indicates that it was not only for Timothy but also for a wider audience because the "you" in 4:22 is plural.

It is believed that these were the last words of Paul to have survived before his death. Sobering.

REFLECTION

Recently, I had a melanoma skin cancer scare. It is the deadliest form. I went through Christmas waiting for the results of two biopsies wondering if this would be my last Christmas on earth. One was benign, but the one on my jawline was melanoma.

It was good to evaluate what I would do differently if I knew I only had months to live and guess what? There was not one thing I would change! My biggest goal was to finish the editing of this Bible Book Club and the group of young people we are investing in for Kingdom purposes (including our two young adult sons). 

APPLICATION

Take some time to review the whole book of 2 Timothy. What did you glean from it that you can put into practice in your own life? Do you want to end your life knowing that you have "fought the good fight"?  Are you in the process of doing that now? Do you know the ministry that He has called you to? Are you fulfilling your calling?

PRAYER

I feel the death of a friend. I cannot imagine Paul in that prison cell writing down his last words. Thank You for his faithful ministry. May we be faithful also to preach Your Word and fulfill the ministry You have called us to. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

2 Timothy 3:14-17 -- The Hothouse of Transforming Discipleship

LINK: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

BACKGROUND

This is a very short passage, but it is packed with power!  

The whole of the Holy Scriptures revealed to and written down by the apostles and prophets, is "God-breathed" in that it comes directly from and is inspired by God (2 Peter 1:20-21). Greek definitions from the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament help elaborate on 2 Timothy 3:16: Scripture contains the "wisdom and dreams of God." It has "advantage, benefit and gain" in the areas of . . . 

• Teaching - This is the "handing down" of the essential teachings of the Christian life. "In the word of God, the Spirit of God has revealed the true nature of the world we live in, the true nature of man and of God, the ultimate consummation of history, the pattern of relationships and responses to God and to life which corresponds with the way things really are" (Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time, p. 163). In his book, Greg Ogden states that most potential disciples have "bits and pieces of Christian teaching interspersed with worldviews from contemporary culture." The Scriptures give us the "body of teaching [that] gives us the set of glasses through which to view reality" (p. 164). 

• Reproof - Once we have that new reality, we can see the changes we need to make in our lives. Reproof means to "show people their sins and summon them to repentance" (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament). In the context of love, it need not be a scary or horrible thing. 

• Correction - Once we have been reproved, we should not be left to wallow in our guilt and self-condemnation! The Greek word literally means "a restoration to an upright or right state." Jesus said to the adulterous woman, 
  “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more" (John 8:11). Isn't that beautiful! God is all about restoration. We saw that throughout the whole Old Testament, didn't we?

• Training in Righteousness - Once we have been restored, we need to stay on the right path. The Greek words here imply a "curbing of passions" and establishing ongoing patterns of Christlikeness.  

Warren Wiersbe summarizes this beautifully:

They are profitable . . .

for doctrine (what is right),
for reproof (what is not right),
for correction (how to get right), and
for instruction in righteousness (how to stay right) (Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, 2 Tim 3:16b, p. 253)

For you visual learners, here is something I learned during my junior year in college that I always see in my mind when I read this passage:

©Carol Ann Weaver, 
adapted from Design for Discipleship: Book 2, p. 7

And the whole goal of all of this is so that we might all be mature in Christ and equipped to serve Him!

REFLECTION 

Transformation can only occur in an environment where we are feeding on God's Word in a context of transparent and accountable intimacy with God and other loving believers. I tell the honest truth that I wrote this before I read the book I am going to refer to below.

This conviction was really solidified for me when I read Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time by Greg Ogden.  He points out the three ingredients that converge to release the Holy Spirit in bringing about the rapid growth toward Christlikeness he calls a "hothouse of transformation":

• Opening our hearts in transparent trust to each other - This includes affirming one another through encouragement, walking with one another through difficult times, being a reflective listener who assists another to hear God's guidance in life's complexities, and confessing our sins to one another that we may be healed. (Notice all the "one another" statements. This is a Bible study all in itself!)

• Around the truth of God's Word - This is the heart of 2 Timothy 3:14-17 and what I just talked about in the BACKGROUND section.

• In the spirit of mutual accountability - This helps us put the above "path of righteousness" pattern in place. It means covenanting together with other believers and giving each other permission to hold each other to the covenant. It is a "willing decision to abide by certain standards and a voluntary submission of oneself to a review by others in which one's performance is evaluated in light of these standards." This may sound legalistic, but in the climate of #1 above, it is a win-win for everybody.

Greg and I are on the same page because I LIVED this in my early years of growing as a believer!  I feel very blessed to have been part of this kind of transformational environment and was shocked to find most people do not grow up in the Lord this way. These people are my lifelong friends and siblings in Christ. (In fact, I just went backpacking with one of those friends from my first discipleship Bible Study in 1979!)

Many small groups are big on intimacy but small on centering it on God's Word and holding each other accountable. Much of the teaching and preaching in the church is big on teaching truth in a large group but has no accountability or intimacy attached. You attend and leave. It does not mean that those are bad, but transformational discipleship occurs when all three are present (see Ogden, pp. 153-171). 

2023 Update: A newer book, The Other Half of Church, says essentially the same thing with neuroscience to back it up! This book also has wonderful exercises for groups to do together that build trust, love, and attachment. It also has an exercise to evaluate the good soil of your group. These exercises are free on the publisher's website:

The Other Half of Church (scroll down to "Packet for Audiobook" PDF) - There is also a sample chapter from the book on the page. 

APPLICATION

Memorize 2 Timothy 3:16-17. They are key verses for your spiritual life. Verse 16 is part of the Navigator Topical Memory System (but memorize 17 too). I memorized the 60 verses in 1979, but I come back to them again and again. 

Here is a list with links to the verses and a "mini-sermon" by LeRoy Eims. 

Topical Memory System Audio Library

Are you in a situation where all three components for transformation are in place?  If not, what is stopping you? (Read Ogden's book for more details about the size of these groups. He doesn't recommend one-to-one but meeting in threes and fours. His research shows this is the most effective size for growth, but it is based on the US population, and wonders if it might be different in other cultures.)

PRAYER

Lord, grow us, mold us, put us in the hothouse of transformation so we might glorify You! Amen. 

2 Timothy 3:1-13 -- Ungodly vs.Godly People

LINK: 2 Timothy 3

BACKGROUND

The "last days" referred to in this passage include the time after Jesus' resurrection when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost (Acts 2) to the time of His return in the future. Paul stated 23 characteristics of people during this difficult time. I will not go into definitions of each characteristic, but I encourage you to look up ones you do not understand by using the great Greek tools at: 

https://thebible.org/gt/index. 

You have to sign in, but you can click on any of the words, and the Greek definition appears below it. It is very cool!  

I do want to comment on one of the characteristics: "Always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (3:7). This "knowledge" is epignosis and is the same word we learned about in Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. It is a true knowledge:

Expressing fuller or a full knowledge, a greater participation by the knower in the object known, thus more powerfully influencing him. (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words: Volume 2, p. 301)

This implies that the truth has produced an intimacy with God and has affected his or her entire life and will be manifested in godly behavior. (This is also indicative of a relationship with God that is not all left-brained but also right-brained. See yesterday's post about this in the reflection section for 2 Timothy 2:14-26)

Paul exhorted Timothy to have nothing to do with these types of people. He had already instructed Timothy to be kind to everyone (2:24) and to gently correct those in opposition (2:25). Therefore, having "nothing to do with them" probably meant staying clear of them in a ministerial capacity. This exhortation goes right along with Paul's exhortation to separate from "vessels of dishonor" in the previous chapter. 

These 23 characteristics in 3:1-9 can be contrasted with Paul's characteristics in 3:10-14. Paul taught correct doctrine, practiced what he preached, lived his life with purpose, and was willing to suffer.  We should follow these types of spiritual leaders and imitate their faith!  

REFLECTION

In his thoughts about the leadership characteristics of Paul, Warren Wiersbe writes:

I wonder how Paul would match up with today’s concept of a Christian leader. He would probably fail miserably. If he applied for service with a modern mission board, would he be accepted? He had a prison record; he had a physical affliction; he stirred up problems in just about every place he visited. He was poor, and he did not cater to the rich. Yet God used him, and we are being blessed today because Paul was faithful. (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, 2 Ti 3:11-12, p. 251)

APPLICATION

Write out the characteristics of ungodly people versus godly people.

Here are some questions to ponder:

• How do you avoid the pitfalls of ungodliness? 
• How do you discern ungodly leadership? 
• How do you nurture godliness in your life? 
• Do you follow the teaching in the Word? 
• How is your conduct? 
• Do you have a purpose in life that honors God? 
• Are you continuing to be challenged in your faith and believing God for big things? 
• Are you steadfastly persevering amid persecution and suffering? 
• How does God want you to respond to today's reading?

This is also a fascinating read with insight into Christian leadership today:

The Pandora Problem: Facing Narcissism in Leaders and Ourselves

PRAYER

Lord, give us discernment to detect false teachers and to steer clear of them. Lead us to godly leaders whom we can imitate. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

2 Timothy 2:14-26 - An Approved or Ashamed Workman

LINK: 2 Timothy 2

BACKGROUND

The only way to stop foolish arguments, ignorant speculations, worldly chatter, fighting over words, and leaving the path of truth is to be diligent ("zealous, hasten," 2 Timothy 4:9, 21 and Titus 3:12) to present oneself to God as a good workman who handles the truth accurately (literally, "cutting straight"). 

Paul wanted Timothy to be deep in God's Word, and he wanted him to faithfully pass that on (2 Timothy 2:2)! This would result in a young pastor and his flock who would flee youthful lusts, be able to discern the lies of the false teachers (1:20; 2:17), and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with pure hearts! He wants that of us also.

The word "lusts" does not carry the same meaning we do in the English language:

There are many lusts from which our greatest safety is in flight (Ge 39:12). Avoid occasions of sin. From the abstemious character of Timothy (1Ti 5:23) it is likely that not animal indulgences, but the impetuosity, rash self-confidence, hastiness, strife, and vainglory of young men (1Jn 2:14–16), are what he is here warned against: though the Spirit probably intended the warning to include both in its application to the Church in general.  (A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments, 2 Ti 2:22) 

REFLECTION

In my early 20s, I was eager to attend my first official church Bible Study. I had just left my staff position with a para-church organization. During the four and a half years with this organization, I learned the basics of inductive Bible Study (The Navigator Bible Studies Handbook) and learned how doing this with other like-hearted "approved workman" could be life-transforming. I assumed this church Bible study would be the same, especially since it was comprised of older men and women of God.

I did my homework in eager anticipation of a great discussion over what we had all learned in our study time, but I was greatly disappointed when several in the group got into a two-hour debate about the passage. It turned out that none of the others had done any study preparation. The leader hadn't even prepared. I can relate with Warren Wiersbe who said, "I fear that some "sharing times" do more harm than good as well-meaning people exchange their 'spiritual ignorance'" (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, p.247).

Needless to say, I lasted about three sessions with this group and called it quits. The Lord graciously led me to women who wanted to dig more deeply, and we spent the next seven years engaged in dynamic, life-changing study! All the girls in that study have moved out of town, but many of them lament that they have not found a study quite like it since.  It is hard to find "diligent workmen in the Word" in the Body of Christ these days!

After I got married, one of our pastors decided to separate the Bible studies into levels. We went straight to the level called "Deeper Digger" hoping to find like-hearted people. Sadly, the situation with that first church Bible study repeated itself, but this time all the people in our study were key ministry leaders in the church!  The upside of it was that the leader came prepared because he was my husband! In his gentle way, he challenged these leaders to come prepared for study. The dynamics of the study radically changed when people started coming prepared in heart and mind to discuss what they had learned. We spent a happy two years together!

Fast forward another ten years, and I was asked to come to a meeting at my church about possible changes in how the women's ministry did things. It was noted that some women in our congregation were going out of town to study the Bible because they couldn't find a deeper study at our church or even in our town. I recommended starting a Precept Bible Study so the women didn't have to travel so far!  It was hard to have the "powers that be" make a paradigm shift, but God moved their hearts (after some suffering, but that is another story), and I am happy to say that inductive studies have been an option for the last ten years. The group is small but faithful!

You may note I mentioned in these previous instances that these were older men and women of God and even ministry leaders. These were all committed, responsible, and diligent workers in ministry, but not necessarily diligent workers in God's Word. I distinctly remember being in a hotel room with a group of ministry leaders who "ran the show" at a women's conference. Not ONE of them spent any time alone in God's Word the whole weekend (sadly, the speaker at the conference didn't share anything from God's Word either)! These leaders were very busy all weekend, but only God knows what was fueling them in their ministry.

One of my wise mentors, Fred Wevodau, used to say:

 "If your output exceeds your input, 

your upkeep will be your downfall."  

Ministry has to be out of overflow or eventually, you run out of fuel!  

Here is a video I created that talks about this called Living in the Cycle of Grace 

Living in the Cycle of Grace Handout

Transformation can only occur in an environment where we are feeding on God's Word in a context of transparent and accountable intimacy with God and in loving relationships with other believers. 

We will discuss this more when we get to 2 Timothy 3, but here is a book on this concept: Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time. 

2023 Update: Adding to the above. The book, The Pandora Problem: Facing Narcissism in Leaders & Ourselves states that one of the reasons we fail to see transformation in our churches today is that we, "Focus on beliefs (will) over relationships (hesed)" (p. 23). Transformation occurs when we engage both our left brain and our right brain! I loved Precept Studies, but I always had a hard time because they were very much engaged in left brain activity (beliefs, word studies, doctrine). When I led the studies, I tried to balance it out by including the right brain activity (creating an environment that helps foster a loving attachment to God and others, establishing a group identity, meditation on Scripture that engages all your senses, etc.). 

So, In addition to the book just quoted, I heartily recommend:

The Other Half of Church: Christian Community, Brain Science, and Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation

Are you an approved or ashamed workman?

APPLICATION

Are you diligently seeking to be established in God's Word? Are you seeking to lovingly establish others in God's Word also?  

PRAYER

Lord, draw us close to You through Your Word. Lead us to other like-hearted believers who want to be a workman approved by You. Help us to be people who pass on what we learn to faithful men and women who will be able to teach others also. Amen. 

2 Timothy 2:1-13 - Called to Reproduce

LINK: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

BACKGROUND

Paul gives more instructions in this chapter:

• 2:2 Entrust these things (gospel) to faithful men 
• 2:3 Suffer hardship with me 
• 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ . . . according to my gospel 
• 2:9 Suffer hardship (for the gospel) even to imprisonment 
• 2:10 Paul is an example who endures all things (for the sake of those chosen) 
• 2:14 Remind them of these things (gospel) 
• 2:15 Be diligent to accurately handle the Word of truth 
• 2:17,18 H & P went astray from the truth 
• 2:25 Gently correct those in opposition . . . leading them to the knowledge of the truth

Timothy was to entrust ("to put beside, set before one in teaching, commit to one's charge, deposit") to faithful ("can be relied upon") people ("human beings whether male or female") able ("competent with adequate ability or qualities") to pass it on to the next spiritual generation and on and on and on. 

If you struggle with competence and inadequacy, remember that we are “able” because of the promises in 2 Corinthians 2:14 and 3:5!

In addition, Paul was to be a good steward of that truth and execute his responsibility like a Roman soldier, athlete, and farmer.

The Roman soldier sacrificed his whole life for the good of his country. He was wholehearted and single-minded, pleasing his commanding officer. We are in a war, and there is no place for deserters in God's army.

The Olympic and Isthmian games were very important events among the Greeks and Romans. The athletes were to obey all the rules, practicing strict discipline in training. They ran to win a wreath or garland that withers away, but we run for a crown that never withers and is for the glory of God.

The patient farmer works hard and shares in the fruit of the harvest. The joy of the harvest of transformed lives is worth all the effort and hard work! Many commentators believe that Paul is also referring to the support of the faithful pastor by the church (1 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Timothy 5:18) even though Paul did not live on the support of the churches himself (1 Corinthians 9:11ff).

REFLECTION 

The last time I led a study in 2 Timothy, the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City was going on. This is what I wrote:

What an appropriate time to meditate on the athlete metaphor during these two and one-half weeks. I see the "Parade of Nations" coming through and try to envision what heaven will be like, with spiritual "athletes" from every tribe and tongue and people and nation worshiping our King. We have made our pledge to our God to play by the rules, and He is a consuming fire -- like the eternally burning Olympic flame.

Zeus was honored in the Greek games. He was the chief god of the Greek gods and goddesses. The athletes had to swear to him that they had trained for 10 months. And they promised to obey the rules of the game. All fighting and war ceased so people could travel safely to and from the Olympics. Having physically fit bodies was a way to honor God. 

As the Olympic athletes of old, we are running this race to win right to the end. We pledge our allegiance to Yahweh. We commit ourselves to training. This game is played for God's honor. We must be spiritually fit, and we must be dedicated to our God. We must pledge ourselves wholeheartedly to spiritual training and obey the rules. We must run the race with endurance and fix our eyes on Jesus, knowing that we will receive an imperishable crown.

APPLICATION 

Are you wholeheartedly committed to your spiritual training like a soldier and athlete? Are you working hard and waiting patiently for God to work in and through you like the farmer? 

According to Paul, we are to...

• Know the truth (2:15; 3:15)
• Guard it (1:13; 2:14, 16, 23; 3:5)
• Suffer for it (1:8, 12; 2:3, 9-10; 24; 3:11-12)
• Preach it (1:6-8; 2:1-2, 24, 25; 4:2)
• Live it (2:10; 4:6, 7), and 
• PASS IT ON to faithful men and women who will repeat that cycle! (2:2)

If you just keep the truth for yourself, are you really living in the truth? This is something to ponder with God. 

"A bell is no bell 'til you ring it,
A song is no song 'til you sing it,
And love in your heart
Wasn’t put there to stay -
Love isn’t love
'Til you give it away."

Oscar Hammerstein (1895-1960) 
"Sixteen Going on Seventeen" from
The Sound of Music (theatre version)

What is your goal and training plan? The book I recommended yesterday, Sacred Rhythms is excellent for helping you think through this. 

What faithful person are you going to invest in so you can pass on what you learn?

PRAYER

Lord, would you guide each person here to set up a training plane. Also, where is the faithful person we can invest in? Would you lead every Bible Book Club reader to him or her? Amen.