"A Strong Finish" / 2 Timothy 4:6-8 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – Why does Paul use the metaphor of his impending death as a drink offering? What does it mean?

2 – How is death, especially that of a Christian, like a ship casting off its mooring lines?

3 – How is the Christian life like, "the good fight?" What's good about it?

4 – Why is it important to finish the race, not "win" it?

5a – The victor's crown for the early Olympic athlete was intrinsically valueless, but highly prized. Why?

5b – Who will receive a crown of righteousness? How? Why?

5c – Why is righteousness what we most need?

5d – How do we obtain righteousness?

6 – How does this farewell address from Paul encourage Timothy? Us? How does it affect our lives today?

" 'Tis the Reason for the Season" / 2 Timothy 4:1-5 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 1, Paul gives a charge to Timothy that sound much like a court of law. Why so solemn?


2 – In verse 2, what specific task is Timothy charged to do? When? What does it involve? What does it mean? How does this charge relate to us?



3 – In verse 3, what does Paul mean by "itching ears?" Why would it be difficult to "endure" sound teaching? In what ways do we see people today "accumulating" teachers who tell them what they like to hear?



4 – Nowhere does scripture say that Timothy had the gift of evangelism nor the office of evangelist, yet Paul commands Timothy to, "do the work of the evangelist." What does he mean? How does this apply to us? May we excuse ourselves from sharing the gospel with others because we don't have the gift, the knowledge, or the incentive? Then, why don't we?

"Reliable Teachers" / 2 Timothy 3:10-17 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verses 10-11, Paul compares is life and teaching with the misguided teachers in Ephesus. Compare 3:10-11 with 3:2-7.

2 – In versus 12-13, Paul says that all who desire to live godly in Christ should expect persecution. Why? How have you experienced it?

3 – In verse 14, Paul tells Timothy why he can have confidence in what he has learned from Paul, his mother and his grandmother. What are they, and why is it so?

4 – In verses 16-17, what does it mean that scripture is, "God-breathed." How does scripture equip us for life and service to God?

5 - What does this passage tell us of the importance of teaching our children (our own and our church kids) about the gospel, the scriptures, and our Christian values? How does it warn of about the teaching of false teachers?

6 – What good and reliable teachers have you had in school, church, and life? What made them valuable contributors to your life?

"The Last Days" / 2 Timothy 3:1-9 / Jim Rosenquist

In verse 1, "The Last Days," may refer to either the time right before the return of Christ, or the days inaugurated by Christ's first coming. We are both in the "last days" and awaiting "the last days" to come. In this context, what are, "the last days."

In verses 2-4, what "people" is Paul writing about? Who are they? What word does Paul use to describe these people? Is this unkind? Is it true?

In verse 5, what is an example of a form of godliness without its power? What action does Paul direct Timothy to take in regard to these false teachers?

In verse 6, How do false teachers sneak or creep into our lives?

In verse 8, Jannes and Jambres were powerful magicians who imitated the miracles of God did through Moses. How are false teachers like them? How do well-meaning Christians use magic? Where did they learn this behavior? What are some examples? Does magic work? Is it real? Why is it dangerous?

In verse 9, what hope does Paul offer Timothy about false teachers and the church?

"A Great House" / 2 Timothy 2:20-26 / Jim Rosenquist

In verses 20-21, how is the church like a great house? What do vessels of gold, silver, wood, and clay represent? How are some for honorable or dishonorable use? How is one responsible for his/her use? How can it change?

In verse 22, what traits of youthfulness would hinder a young pastor? What traits does Paul suggest Timothy cultivate? Why?

In verses 23, does Paul suggest that we should avoid all controversy? Isn't the gospel controversial? Isn't the truth controversial? Wasn't Paul frequently involved in controversy?

In verses 24-25a, how should Timothy in particular, but also all Christian leaders approach division, misunderstanding, and wrong thinking?

In verses 25b-26, what is the objective of correcting false teachers and their followers. How is that accomplished? Why is it challenging?

"Getting it Straight" / 2 Timothy 2:14-19 / Jin Rosenquist

1 - In verse 14, Some subjects, while important to you, shouldn't divide brothers in Christ; subjects like the age of the Earth, the timing of the rapture, speaking in tongues, Israel in the end times...what else?

– Some subjects should be debated in the church. Like what?

– Some subjects are so critically important that we get it straight, like the five solas. What else?

2 – In verse 15, what makes a workman approved?

3 – In verse 17, how is gangrene an appropriate metaphor for word wars in the church?

4 – In verse 18, the particular debate then was over whether the resurrection had already taken place. In what way was that true? How is it also completely untrue?

Why does it matter? What action should be taken? How is their error much like the errors of the church today? (Word of Faith implies resurrection blessings today.)

"Remember Jesus" / 2 Timothy 2:8-13 / Jim Rosenquist

1 – In verse 8, what about "Jesus Christ risen from the dead" is an essential thing to

remember? Why does Paul mention the fact that Jesus descended from David? Why

is that significant to gentile believers?

2 – In verses 9-10, why is Paul under arrest, condemned, and waiting execution? Why

is he enduring for the sake of the elect? Who are the elect? How did they become

elect? What are they elect to?

3 – In verses 11-13, in what way have we died with Christ? In what have we had to

endure with Christ? How are momentary lapses in our faithfulness unlike settled

denial of Jesus? Are those who have a settled denial of Jesus saved if they once

professed faith in him? Have you ever denied Jesus of been faithless? How?

How did God show his faithfulness to you?

“Eternal” / Hebrews 9:11-14 / Hanson Rosenquist

With this passage the author of Hebrews shows his readers that the New Covenant blessings inaugurated and mediated by Christ Jesus are both shadow-dissolving present realities, and present eternal realities. Keep this theological context in mind as you discuss the questions.

1 - What is the overarching argument, or point, that the author of Hebrews is making in this passage?

2 - Discuss the context of the passage. Who were the original readers? Why would this passage be paradigm-shifting for them? Why is understanding context essential for properly understanding God’s Word? (Yes, essential)

3 - Read Hebrews 9:11 and 24. What are the differences between the earthly tabernacle/temple, and the heavenly holy places? Why, or how, is the heavenly holy place superior?

4 - Why does God require blood sacrifices? What does this teach us about God and about sin?

5 - Why couldn’t God’s people continue with animal sacrifices?

6 - Why is the blood of the Lord Jesus superior, i.e., what does it accomplish? Why do we need it?

7 - Examining our passage and verse 15, what does the author of Hebrews say is eternal or once for all? What does this teach us about what Christ accomplished on the cross?

8 - What truths about the Lord God have you learned from this passage?