Group Notes | October 9
Unfinished: Never Give Up! Never Quit!
October 9, 2016
Dr. Ben Gutierrez
Open:
The temptation to quit is very real when your circumstances have become over-whelming and there seems no way out. Have you kept on when you thought you couldn’t? Can you give an example, and share the outcome?
This week we continue the series, “Unfinished.” Paul is very close to the end of his life, and desires that his last words encourage believers to never give up. If ever anyone had been in conditions where quitting would have seemed the best way out, it was he. Yet he knew that God would get him through, and heaven would be his reward. He pens instructions to all believers as to the importance of trusting that God will never leave our side, and will bring us safely through any storm.
Focal Passage: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
Discuss:
Paul’s “Last Will and Testament”
1. Verse 14, in particular, resounds with Paul’s message of not giving up on God when it seems as if we’re alone. What had kept Paul anchored in his faith?
2. Can you share an example of someone who has given up on God, rather than holding to Him with all their might and trusting in His promises?
“The Faith” is now established—Defend it and Live it!
3. Paul’s admonition is that believers would put what has been learned into practice, just as he had done. Timothy had been taught the Word of God from childhood. Read Galatians 1:6,7 for a description of those who turn away.
4. How does verse 16 describe God’s word? Do you believe that? How do you know your foundation is secure?
Many people were giving up on God!
5. In I Timothy, Paul had referred many times to “some” people who turned away from God. Now in II Timothy, he mentions “all,” and several close friends in particular. Why do you think people were turning away, rather than holding on to God?
6. When you think of ISIS, and the beheadings, Paul saw the same scenario. In fact, he was facing it in a matter of days. How would this affect your faith?
Three Spiritual Anchors
7. 1) God’s Faithful Followers
God has left many examples to look to when you need your faith to be strengthened (Hebrews, Chapter 11 for example). Not only is the Bible full of faithful men and women, but you have only to look at your own path to see He has been not just good, but Great and Mighty in taking care of you. Can you give an example?
2) God’s Trustworthy Word!
When you are having the worst day possible, what happens when you sit down and absorb God’s word? What are some of the most comforting verses for you in the midst of crisis?
3) God’s Perfect Work!
Even when you think God is not listening, or not working for your good, or when you don’t understand why so much is going wrong, He is still working out His plan for your life. How do you know this to be true?
Close:
Paul was no longer teaching precepts for believers to live by—now he was giving them the most important words he could leave with them. “Don’t quit, don’t stop trusting, don’t give up!” He had seen the ascent of Christianity, had seen a vision of the risen Christ that so deeply affected him, that beatings, shipwreck, starvation, and other situations could not cause him to turn away from telling everyone about the love of Jesus. Now he was seeing them give up because of the tremendous hatred toward believers. Above all, his message to us today in the midst of an anti-Christian world, is “Don’t give up!” Pray for each other daily, pray for strength to endure trials and testing (verse 12). God will never fail you, never leave you, and you have His promise in His word that He will be bearing your burdens and helping you carry your load. Get in His word and absorb it, so that in times of crisis it will not cross your mind to leave the faith!
Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 3:14: “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.”
Focal Passage: 2 Timothy, Chapter 3:10-17