Awesome Responsibility

For February 6, 2011

All scriptures are from The Message

One of the characteristics that we all acquire is the urge to pass on the wisdom we feel that we have acquired from our life’s experiences. 2 Timothy is written in just that vein with an added sense of urgency, Paul wants Timothy to pick up the responsibilities he feels he will soon be unable to carry on. Even though there is considerable doubt that Paul was the author of this letter, it might contain some fragments from his other writings, it is instructive for us to read and reflect upon. The first thing we should understand as we read the letter to Timothy is Paul’s situation, he is in prison and:

2 Timothy 4:6-8 You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's altar. This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting—God's applause! Depend on it, he's an honest judge. He'll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.

• What emotions do you see in these words which might have reflected Paul’s feelings as he was imprisoned in Rome, contemplating his execution. What does he feel has been important in his life and what are the reasons?

The second thing we need to know is – Who is Timothy?

Acts 16:1-3 Paul came first to Derbe, then Lystra. He found a disciple there by the name of Timothy, son of a devout Jewish mother and Greek father. Friends in Lystra and Iconium all said what a fine young man he was. Paul wanted to recruit him for their mission, but first took him aside and circumcised him so he wouldn't offend the Jews who lived in those parts. They all knew that his father was Greek.

Timothy’s name becomes familiar to us as we read Acts and the epistles credited to Paul for it becomes clear that he plays a key role in the success of Paul’s mission.

• What must have drawn this young man to motivate him to leave his family and join Paul the traveling evangelist? What does it say about both him and Paul? What kind of person and mission would it take for you to leave everything behind and take on an uncertain future?

Let’s read the first part of our scripture for this week and look at the feelings Paul expresses for Timothy:

2 Timothy 1:1-2 I, Paul, am on special assignment for Christ, carrying out God's plan laid out in the Message of Life by Jesus. I write this to you, Timothy, the son I love so much. All the best from our God and Christ be yours! To Be Bold with God's Gifts
3-4Every time I say your name in prayer—which is practically all the time—I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors. I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion.
5-7That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.

• What does Paul include about himself in his words of greeting? What has motivated him in his work, what does he feel he is carrying out? Have you ever felt that in some small or large way you were doing something that the Spirit called you to do? What caused you to feel that you were being called and how did it effect your response?

• How does he refer to Timothy, what are the feelings he expresses for him? What does it say, Paul of course had no children, about their relationship? Do you have any non-family member that you in some measure feel this way about?

• Paul includes Timothy in his prayers, who do you regularly include in your prayers? Why are they included and what do you pray for? Does praying for them have any effect on you?

• Earlier we reflected on the reasons Timothy would have left everything and followed Paul. What do you see in verses 5-8 that were part of motivating him to make the decision he made? What were some things that energized the young man? As you look back on your faith journey what were some events or people who energized you?

• What did Paul point out to Timothy about the origins of his faith? Who do you feel passed the gift of faith to you – were they all relatives? How important is the act of passing on our faith to those we care about and what are some issues that might inhibit us?

The letter continues with advice and encouragement for Timothy as he carries on with Paul’s work:

2 Timothy 1:8-10 So don't be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.
11-12This is the Message I've been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It's also the cause of all this trouble I'm in. But I have no regrets. I couldn't be more sure of my ground—the One I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to the end.
13-14So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It's as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.

• What is Paul reminding Timothy he will face as he delivers the Message? Are there places in the world that this remains true today and are there those who in spite of it deliver the Message? Some things never change.

• What role does God play in the work Timothy is being charged with continuing? What is your reaction to Paul characterizing the work and the suffering that goes along with it a “gift”? Have you ever thought about sharing the gospel message, being an ambassador for Christ, in these terms?

• What does Paul see as that which he has “been set apart” for? What has sustained him throughout? As you look back on your faith life do you feel you might have been “set aside” at any time for some role or task? Was there any sense of God’s presence as you worked to fulfill your calling?

• How do you think that Timothy might have reacted as he read this letter and realized the magnitude of the responsibility that was being passed on to him? Have you ever experienced having some kind of significant responsibility (birth of a child, at work, etc.) given to you? What were your feelings and what sustained you in fulfilling your new role?

• We all should have a will for legal and family considerations. What would you like to pass on about your faith life? Write down some of the things you would include in this declaration?

Closing Prayer

Gracious God, thank you for all those whose faith and witness have enlightened us and brought us closer to you. Strengthen us by your Spirit that we may encourage the faith of others. We ask in the name of Jesus, our redeemer and guide. Amen


Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 or Sirach 15:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37

Remember

For 10/10/2010

One of the major focal points of today’s scripture is summarized in the word REMEMBER. One way to understand where the writer is heading is to think of our own experiences:

• Think of a favorite person in your past life with whom you no longer have contact; someone who has had an important influence upon you. When you remember that person what comes to mind? What words or phrases would you use to describe the person? Does the relationship have any influence on the way in which you live your life?

• Are there secular, inanimate influences that impact the way in which we live our lives and hold a priority for our time and attention? It could include being a sports fan, our jobs, hobbys, etc.

The writer of 2 Timothy records these words as the Apostle Paul’s reflections on remembrance of Jesus:

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 9for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. 16Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety,

• The scripture begins with Remember Jesus Christ. Write down some words or phrases that would use to describe him. Are there questions about him that arise in your remembering?

• How does the writer of 2 Timothy tell us Paul remembers? What is important to him as he remembers? What should happen as a result of our remembering Jesus? Do these reflections add anything to your written thoughts?

• How has Jesus affected the way you live your life? Are there specific things about him and his presence with us that has influenced you? Add any ideas to your written reflections.

• Paul encountered many hardships doing his evangelistic work, read his account of some of them below:

2Corinthians 11:23-27I've worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death's door time after time. I've been flogged five times with the Jews' thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I've been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I've had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I've been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I've known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather.

Some have reacted to the words above as Paul trying to puff himself up or brag. Paul was constantly defending himself from the assaults of detractors, many of whom cited the difficulties that they had endured? Regardless we can see that the work he did and travels he undertook in those primitive times would have to be motivated by very intense sense of duty. What might you write down as the unexpected both good and bad things happened to you as your acted on the gospel message?

2 Corinthians 11:11The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. 16Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety,

• What is your reaction to the ancient litany or hymn in verses 11-13? How do you interpret each verse? Does it raise questions? Should it?

• What is the essence of Paul’s advice in verses 14-16 of 2 Timothy above? Have you experienced any of the wrangling and distraction he warns against? How should we handle it when confronted with it?

Closing Prayer

Lord, may I see you in me also
May I prepare the way for you
May I thank you for all that should fall to my lot
Gracious God, keep me in your love.
Amen

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Jeremiah 31:27-34 or Genesis 32:22-31, Psalm 119:97-104 or Psalm 121, 2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:5, Luke 18:1-8