CG Discussion Guide
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Text: 2 Timothy 4:6-22
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.
The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
Summary:
In 2 Timothy 4, we hear from Paul at the end of his life, imprisoned and awaiting execution, yet he has a triumphal, rather than a defeated, outlook. His declaration—'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith'—challenges us to confront how we understand success. While the world measures success by wealth, titles, or comfort, Paul reveals a different metric: faithful endurance. He describes himself as being 'poured out as a drink offering,' drawing on the Old Testament imagery of total dedication where wine poured over a burnt offering evaporates as a pleasing aroma to God. Are we living in full devotion like Paul? Paul's life wasn't marked by worldly achievement—he was poor, frequently imprisoned, and constantly opposed—yet he considered himself successful because he remained faithful to his calling. His perspective on death as a 'departure'—like loosening the moorings of a ship or removing a yoke from a laboring animal—transforms how we view our own mortality. We're not facing an ending but a transition into God's presence. This passage encourages us to examine our own lives: What battles are we fighting? What race are we running? Are we keeping the faith when opposition comes?
Key Takeaways:
Discussion Questions:
Practical Applications:
Text: 2 Timothy 4:6-22
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.
The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
Summary:
In 2 Timothy 4, we hear from Paul at the end of his life, imprisoned and awaiting execution, yet he has a triumphal, rather than a defeated, outlook. His declaration—'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith'—challenges us to confront how we understand success. While the world measures success by wealth, titles, or comfort, Paul reveals a different metric: faithful endurance. He describes himself as being 'poured out as a drink offering,' drawing on the Old Testament imagery of total dedication where wine poured over a burnt offering evaporates as a pleasing aroma to God. Are we living in full devotion like Paul? Paul's life wasn't marked by worldly achievement—he was poor, frequently imprisoned, and constantly opposed—yet he considered himself successful because he remained faithful to his calling. His perspective on death as a 'departure'—like loosening the moorings of a ship or removing a yoke from a laboring animal—transforms how we view our own mortality. We're not facing an ending but a transition into God's presence. This passage encourages us to examine our own lives: What battles are we fighting? What race are we running? Are we keeping the faith when opposition comes?
Key Takeaways:
- The Triumph of the Gospel - Paul faces death victoriously
- Instructions to Timothy - Passing the ministry torch
- Farewell to His Team - Honoring faithful servants and warning about deserters
Discussion Questions:
- How do you define success? How does that definition differ if you are thinking about success in different aspects of your life (e.g. work, family, finances, etc.)?
- Reflect on how Paul views death (departure, transition to be with the Lord). How does this perspective on death challenge or encourage you?
- Do you think Demas was more like Judas (never truly committed) or Peter (afraid and running)? Does that distinction matter?
- Of the roles of Paul's ministry companions, which one with you: the loyal companion, the behind-the-scenes servant, or the church planter?
- Priscilla and Aquila served God wherever they went. If you offered your life to God in the same way, what might that look like for you right now?
Practical Applications:
- Choose one area to focus on this week:
- Don't give up - Fight Discouragement
- Action step: ______________
- Don't give in - Fight Compromise
- Action step: ______________
- Don't become lazy - Fight Complacency
- Action step: ______________
- Don't give up - Fight Discouragement
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