Look at the Book

Diligent thinking and God’s gift of understanding are not at odds. They are two sides of the same coin.

In 2 Timothy 2, Paul uses three different images to depict the Christian life: soldier, athlete, and farmer. What can we learn from each?

Why is suffering an essential part of the Christian life? Among other reasons, because Christians are out of step with the world, which leads to conflict.

Each generation needs faithful men to pass on the apostolic teaching that was entrusted to them. By the Spirit’s power, we preserve the truth until Christ returns.

The Christian life is lived in the power of grace, which means we look to God to provide everything we need to fulfill his call on our lives.

Is God’s mercy the foundation of our good works, or is his mercy the reward of our good works?

When Paul looked for an example for Timothy, he found Onesiphorus — unashamed, full of service, and refreshing to fellow believers.

According to Paul, healthy words come from Jesus. They accord with his gospel and redound to his glory. They are worth guarding closely.

When God calls someone to himself, he keeps that person until the end. He guards all those who entrust themselves to him.

The Lord Jesus Christ abolished death and brought immortality to light through the gospel. Do you know the gospel? Do you share it with others?

Salvation tells the glorious story that God set his love on his people before they even existed and then called them for the praise of his glory.

God targeted his chosen ones with grace before the ages began. That is the surest foundation imaginable to build your life upon.

How do you fan into flame a gift God has given to you? You do it by faith, laying hold of the promises of provision God has made to you.

When Paul talks about the gift God gave to Timothy, what is he referring to? Unashamed courage to speak and to suffer for the gospel.

Paul says that he prayed for Timothy “constantly . . . night and day.” How might his practice and his specific petitions shape our own life of prayer?

Why is it so important to serve God from a good conscience? Because a guilty conscience will serve in order to gain favor with God, and that will never work.

The apostle Paul addresses Timothy as “my beloved child.” How did Timothy become not just a ministry partner but a son to Paul?

Why did God make Paul an apostle? So that he could declare the promise of life in Christ Jesus to those who were dead in their trespasses.

When Paul refers to Jesus, the title he loves to use the most is “Christ Jesus.” Why was this name so significant for Paul?

What is an apostle? An apostle is an official representative selected by Christ to mediate his authority on earth and herald his message to men.

What is the setting for Paul’s second letter to Timothy? Paul is imprisoned in Rome, he wants Timothy to come to him, and he is ready for death.

What is Paul’s ultimate concern in 1 Timothy? To encourage faith that awakens godliness that is passionate about the glory of God.

You don’t guard the word of God like you would some other ancient document. You guard it by doing it, protecting it, and passing it on.

Paul’s final exhortation in 1 Timothy is to “guard the deposit entrusted to you.” What is “the deposit” the apostle has in mind?

In the little word “O,” Paul brings us into a whole world of emotional complexity. He models for us healthy, godly affections for others.