GSCC Small Group 07-27-07

2 Timothy 2:14-19

14Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." 

 Questions:

1. If you were Paul, what would concern you most when you pass down to Timothy the responsibility of preaching the gospel? (the characters, the accuracy of the gospel being preached..)

2. Read v14. Why do some people tend to quarrel about words?  What are the dangers of quarrelling about words? (useless to our faith; harmful to those who listen)

3. Read v15. How so we present ourselves as a workman need not be ashamed? (sincere, mature) How do we correctly handle the word of truth? (faithful, in whole)

4. Read v16-18. How can godless chatters lead to ungodliness? Look up 1 Tim 1:19-20 and describe what kind of a person Hymenaeus was. 

5. Have you experienced for a period of time gradually distant from God and his words? How do we avoid wandering away from the truth? 

6. Read v19. The two inscriptions emphasize God's sovereignty in the church, and Christians' responsibility to turn away from evil. What do you think about the collaboration between man and God? Who benefits from it eventually?