Paul is instructing Timothy about strength to endure suffering in 2 Timothy 2:14-26. He maintained that Timothy would be tough and able to resist temptation if he carefully enlisted others who were also faithful to teach. He also told Timothy that he had to be strong in grace.

Paul talked of discipline and hard work, of being a team-player and of following the rules we are given. Paul had given up his own needs and comforts for the welfare of others. What adult has not put his own wants aside for a time to better help a spouse or child? Do we not strive hard as parents and leaders of youth to instill good values in them?

It seems many of the frustrations youth face growing up involve their hard-learned lessons about following the rules. This has been true since the beginning of time.

Paul reminded Timothy that even though we as humans sometimes fail and are not faithful, Jesus Christ is always faithful. Paul said Timothy and the faithful are to be tough, have the power to resist attacks and be able to endure. Paul must have felt great comfort in the faithfulness of Christ. Do we feel that same comfort?

—George and Linda Howton

• Have you ever “paid a price” when taking a stand for your beliefs?
• What often happens to people who are not taught hard work, good values, discipline, and the following of orders?
• What are some of the results that come from a society eager to take the “easy way out”? What can you do to reverse this trend in your community?
• What are some ways we as Christians can deny our own comfort to help others?

How Do I Act?

1. Add to your list of instructions for Timothy from the last two blogs. Keep it posted in a visible place. Pray for these areas in your own life.
2. Choose an area where you can give to others. Give time to the elderly or those who can’t get out of their homes, donate blood or platelets, take on a child to mentor, or clean an area of a local roadside.
3. Resolve to become more of a team-player on God’s team. List ways to accomplish this goal.
4. Set up a virtual time to meet with an elderly church member to visit with them and talk about Paul’s teachings using your list of instructions. Ask your visitor to prioritize them based on their life’s experiences. Talk with them about their memories of the important things they were taught as young people. Talk to the pastor and the person about taping the conversation to use for a pastor’s class if it would prove helpful.

Photo by Anna Samoylova on Unsplash