Fanning the Flame of God (2 Timothy 1:3-7)
Why would Paul thank God constantly when he remembered Timothy? Notice that Paul speaks of his prayers as constant and night and day. What might Paul be teaching us about the regularity of prayer? What might Paul be teaching us about thanksgiving in prayer?
Paul served God as did his ancestors. What is involved in serving God?
- Is serving God always easy?
- Why or why not?
In what way(s) did Paul’s ancestors serve God? Why is it important for one generation to pass on faith to another?
Paul served God with a clear conscience. How could a man who murdered Christians have a clear conscience? How can we have a clear conscience? Is it possible to be wrong but have a clear conscience?
- Why or why not?
- What examples might you give to support your answer?
Why would Timothy have shed tears when he and Paul parted? Why would Paul have remembered Timothy’s tears?
How would seeing Timothy fill Paul with joy?
How does one develop a sincere faith? Doesn’t Timothy’s “sincere faith” imply that some people have an “insincere faith?” What is the difference between a sincere faith and an insincere faith?
- How does one develop a sincere faith?
- How does one develop an insincere faith?
Timothy’s sincere faith first dwelt in his grandmother Lois and in his mother Eunice. Why is it important for parents to instill the faith in their children? What are some steps parents can take to instill the faith in their children? Why might Timothy’s grandfather and grandfather not receive special mention here?
Paul reminded Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God. What was the “gift of God” Timothy had? How could Timothy fan this gift into a flame?
How was this gift given to Timothy through the laying on of Paul’s hands?
What would be some qualities of a spirit of fear?
Instead of a spirit of fear, we have a spirit of power and love and self-control? In what way(s) has God given us a spirit of power? In what way(s) has God given us a spirit of love? In what way(s) has God given us a spirit of self-control?