CG Discussion Guide

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Text: 2 Timothy 2:14-19

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

Summary:
In this week's passage, we are called to consider what it means to be 'approved by God.' This isn't about earning salvation, but about living a life that honors our Creator. Paul urges us to 'rightly handle the word of truth,' reminding us of the weighty responsibility we bear as followers of Christ. We're warned against engaging in useless debates and quarrels, instead focusing on the core truths of the Gospel. Are we presenting ourselves as workers approved by God? Are we bearing fruit that pleases Him? It's a call to intentional living, urging us to invest our time, relationships, and gifts in ways that glorify God. Paul compares false teaching to gangrene which vividly illustrates the destructive nature of straying from biblical truth. We must stand on God's 'firm foundation,' confident in His love for us and committed to departing from iniquity.

Key Takeaways:

• God approves of teachers who diligently handle and teach the truth of Scripture.
• False teaching is a serious threat to the church and individual believers.
• We are called to present ourselves as approved workers, rightly handling God's Word.
• The church will stand despite opposition and false teaching.

Discussion Questions:

1. In the context of this passage, what does it mean to be "approved by God"?
2. How do you decide what is worth arguing for and what is just "quarrels about words"?
3. Do you have a hard time balancing knowledge of salvation with idea of hard work to present self as one approved?
4. What false teaching do you see most often, and where do you encounter it?
5. What would it look like for you to "depart from iniquity" and live the truth of your salvation?
6. What attributes of God offer encouragement in face of temptations and false teachings?
7. What are some practical ways we can guard against false teaching in our own lives and in our church community?

Practical Applications:

• To better understand God's truth, make a plan for how and when you will spend time in scripture and prayer this week.
• Choose one area of your life where you need to "depart from iniquity" and make a plan to address it.
• Are there any podcasts, teachers, or musicians that you listen to that are false teachers? Evaluate what you are taking in throughout the week.
• Pray for your church leaders to have wisdom and discernment in teaching God's Word accurately.