TC w/ T

Once a week for the past two years I have had the privilege of meeting at Taco Cabana with my former Bible teacher, Tyler Sultze, for breakfast. There we enjoy not only the delicious breakfast tacos, but we also partake of the delectable truths of the Bible. Over the next month, we will be going through the book of 2 Timothy, so I thought I would share some of the things I’m learning from the study here.

In order to understand 2 Timothy, you must understand the background for this epistle. This is a letter from Paul to Timothy, whom he calls his “beloved child” in 1:2. Paul had most likely been instrumental in leading Timothy to Christ and had been a spiritual father figure ever since. While Paul writes this letter, he is imprisoned in a Rome, where he expects to be executed. Paul knew this would be one of his last chances to communicate to his beloved friend and son in the faith, Timothy.

One particular thing that stood out to me from the first parts of the chapter was the camaraderie of faith. Paul talks about praying for Timothy night and day as well as remembering his tears. Paul also urges Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God.” We need to make this a model for our relationships we other believers. Do we pray for others the way Paul prays for Timothy here? Does our friendship “fan the flame” of the faith of others does it douse water on it?

As Paul continues to encourage Timothy, he exhorts him not to be ashamed. He talks a lot about fear in the following verses and why Christians have no need to be afraid. While writing this letter, Paul was in one of the most fearful situations possible. He was in a dark, cold Roman jail cell awaiting execution from a madman of an emperor, Nero. However, Paul writes to Timothy encouraging him to not be afraid or ashamed. How can this be? Paul explains. Paul, Timothy, and all of us have the same reason, and that is Jesus Christ. Paul was facing death, but he knew that Christ had “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light of the gospel.”

2 Timothy is an intensely personal letter, yet it is highly applicable for every one of us today. We should spend our time encouraging and praying for others. We should be strengthened to preach and live the gospel because we know whom we have believed in and are convinced that he is able to keep what we’ve committed to him until that day.

I have certainly enjoyed 2 Timothy so far, and Tyler and I have only gone through the first chapter. But that’s all for now. Until next time, enjoy life.

With love, peace, and joy…