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Q4. (2 Timothy 4:21a) Why is it important to Paul for Timothy to come before winter? What happens if Timothy delays? Do you think Timothy dropped everything and came to Paul's side? Would you, if you were Timothy? A4. The Mediterranean Sea would be closed to traffic to ships for safety at winter. Thus Paul wanted Timothy to arrive before the closure or else he would miss seeing Paul as the final judgment that would result in Paul’s execution would take place before the closed Mediterranean would reopen. I have a feeling that Timothy did not just drop everything and headed for Rome in response to Paul’s urgent invitation. My reasoning is based on the fact that many had already abandoned Paul before the final judgment to avoid being implicated too, so timid Timothy would probably have hesitated to respond positively and promptly to Paul’s invitation. I am not sure I would have responded positively to Paul’s invitation if I were Timothy for similar reason stated above about Timothy.

Q3. (2 Timothy 4:9-12) Why is it so difficult when trusted friends desert us? Why is it so difficult when they move away or die? Is it better to trust no one? Who remains with Paul besides Luke? (Hint: see verse 17a). A3. I think it is a normal human reaction to feel hurt and disappointed to see the one you trust and depend on desert you for no justifiable reason. It is particularly painful when such persons leave or die because their action creates a vacuum that may be difficult to fill up. I do not think it is better not to trust anyone because of the fear of losing them. We are told that Tichucus was bearing a letter from Paul and would take over from Timothy. This suggests that he was with Paul in Rom at that moment.

Q2. (2 Timothy 4:8) What does the "crown of righteousness" represent? To whom is it given? On what basis is it awarded? A2. I think it is a crown for faithful service to the Lord. Like in the case of Paul, it is crown for winning souls and standing firm despite great persecution. It is crown for perseverance.

Q1. (2 Timothy 4:6-7) What does it mean to have "fought the good fight" or "run the good race"? What does it take to "finish the race(course)" God has designed for you? What does it mean to "keep the faith"? A1. To believe that one has fought the good fight or run the good race would mean as in the case of Paul, he reviewed his calling to preach the Word by the Lord Jesus and assessed himself as having achieved the goal given to him by Jesus despite great persecution and death plots. As Paul approached the end of his ministry, he recalled that he had won souls for Christ and trained those who would continue where he would stop. This made him happy despite the fact that he knew he would be killed at last. It takes strong faith in the Lord to be able to stand strong to the end so as to persevere in order to overcome hardship, rejection and even ultimate death as Paul was facing.

Q4. (2 Timothy 4:5) Why does Paul command Timothy to "discharge all the duties of your ministry"? What is the work of an evangelist that Timothy is to do? What does the command in verse 5 mean to you personally? A4. It looked as if Timothy had slowed down in discharging his duties as an evangelist, hence the wakeup call from his Mentor – Paul. Timothy's task was to preach the word of God in season and out of season. He was to rebuke and correct falsehood from false teachers and where need be, encourage those that need encouragement.

Q3. (2 Timothy 4:1-2) Why do you think Paul has to resort to the command in verses 1-2? Why does he have to talk about being ready when it's inconvenient and when it is convenient? What problem is Paul trying to overcome here? How do these verses speak to you in particular? A3. Paul had to encourage Timothy to be ever ready to preach the word boldly especially to the false teachers by rebuking and correcting them. But he was also to encourage them when and where necessary. This task did not have to be convenient or not to Timothy or anyone of us.

Q2. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) In what ways does Scripture equip a Christian for ministry? In what different ways can the Scriptures function, according to verse 16? A2. Scripture teaches, corrects and rebukes us the children of God so that we can know how to live lives worthy of our calling and also to carry on our ministry effectively.

Q1. (2 Timothy 3:16) What does inspiration of Scripture mean? What does the term "God-breathed" tell us about the source and authority of Scripture? Why is the doctrine of inspiration of Scripture important? A1. By inspiration of Scripture, it means that God reveals his word out to men who then passed it out to people for action. ‘God breathed’ indicates that the word is from God through the Holy Spirit and is thus authentic and genuinely God’s word.

Q4. (2 Timothy 3:10-12) How does a failure to accept the inevitability of persecution hinder our witness? Just what does it mean to "take up his cross daily" (Luke 9:23) and to "carry his cross" (Luke 14:27)? Is Jesus talking about persecution -- or something else? A4. The fear of persecution hinders or limits many people including me from witnessing for Christ as much as we ought to do. Consequently, we thus limit ourselves from spreading Good news for salvation as much as we should do. So help me Lord to take your Great Commission more serious than ever.

Q3. (2 Timothy 3:5) Why is it so easy to become a hypocrite? How can we prevent our faith from degenerating into "a form of religion" without the power? A3. The human tendency is usually to preach or teach others some religious teachings. Yet, we ourselves do not do what we teach. This makes us hypocrites indeed. We therefore need to practice what we preach.

Q2. (2 Timothy 2:24-25) In your own words, explain the various characteristics that enable a Christian teacher to correct opponents. How does the lack of any of these hinder the task? A2. For a Christian teacher to correct his opponent, he should emulate the Lord Jesus Christ by correcting in love, humility and gentleness.

Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? A1. A good plate and silverware are often put on the table to serve important visitors especially at important occasions. We can clean ourselves for the Lord’s use by confessing our sins and ensuring we stay away from anything that leads us to sin.

Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? A1. A good plate and silverware are often put on the table to serve important visitors especially at important occasions. We can clean ourselves for the Lord’s use by confessing our sins and ensuring we stay away from anything that leads us to sin.

Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? A1. A good plate and silverware are often put on the table to serve important visitors especially at important occasions. We can clean ourselves for the Lord’s use by confessing our sins and ensuring we stay away from anything that leads us to sin.

Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? A1. A good plate and silverware are often put on the table to serve important visitors especially at important occasions. We can clean ourselves for the Lord’s use by confessing our sins and ensuring we stay away from anything that leads us to sin.