THURSDAY - September 24

Read. 2 Timothy 3:10-17

10 But you have paid attention to my teaching, conduct, purpose, faithfulness, patience, love, and endurance.11 You have seen me experience physical abuse and ordeals in places such as Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I put up with all sorts of abuse, and the Lord rescued me from it all! 12 In fact, anyone who wants to live a holy life in Christ Jesus will be harassed. 13 But evil people and swindlers will grow even worse, as they deceive others while being deceived themselves.

14 But you must continue with the things you have learned and found convincing. You know who taught you. 15 Since childhood you have known the holy scriptures that help you to be wise in a way that leads to salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus.16 Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, 17 so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good.

Reflect. Why are we looking at 2 Timothy today? Acts ends with a hopeful note in Acts 28. Paul is under house arrest, yet he is able to continue to share the love of Jesus in a powerful way. Tradition says that Paul was later imprisoned and wrote 2 Timothy shortly before his death around 64 CE. If this is the case, this means that 2 Timothy is the last (or one of the last) things written by Paul and presents a look at the final days of his life. 

• Here, Paul is encouraging his protege, Timothy. Paul knows what it is like to live a faithful life, and presents himself as an example to follow for Timothy. He gives Timothy the wise words that “anyone who wants to live a holy life in Christ Jesus will be harassed.” We have seen how Paul was harassed time and again through his ministry. 
• Then, Paul gives Timothy the guidance to “continue with the things you have learned and found convincing. You know who taught you.” This guidance speaks the truth that the things you have learned will help you through life. It also urges you to recall those who taught you and led you to faith. Here, Paul is speaking of Timothy’s mother, Eunice, who first taught Timothy the faith and also of himself who mentored him. 
• Reflect on those people who taught you the faith and mentored you. Who taught you about the love of Jesus?

Pray. Take a moment to give thanks to God for those that taught you the faith and the legacy that they have left you. 

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Doug Lawson. Bobby Roberts. Collier. Glenn Ethridge. Adam Funderburk.  Mary Reber.  Linda Harmon. Betty Carolyn Ward. Jeff. Albert Rasanke. Lois Robinson. Ross Henley. Tiny & Donald Creasman. Bill and Barbara Buchanan. Bonnie Brenner. Baker Family. Robert McKenzie Family. Kibler family. Carolyn Harlow. Jeff Green. Earl Graves. Mickey Huff. Huff & Welch families. Helen Leigh. Paul Huffman. Schools, Teachers, Staff, Parents, Students. Church regathering plans. Layman family. Charlene Withrow. Brandon Casteel. Dirk Orr family. Smith family. Crowder family. Lillard family. Family of Floyd Eaton. Family of Eddie Rynes. Robertson Family. Harmon Family.