Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S RETREAT 2023
27-28 January 2023
Studies in 2 Timothy

GOALS OF SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER’S RETREAT

1. Appreciating the possibility of becoming a more effective Sunday School Teacher

2. Learning to draw from resources that God has provided

3. Applying the heart and mind to the ministry of teaching God’s word

Friday, 27 January 2023

Session # 1

HOLD FAST THE PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS

2 Timothy 1

1. The privilege of having a meaningful spiritual heritage

a) Grandmother of Timothy 2 Timothy 1:5a

b) Mother of Timothy 2 Timothy 1:5b

c) The Christian Family is a rich source of spiritual heritage

i) But a strong Christian family is not something that everyone has

ii) Many families are spiritually dysfunctional in some ways

iii) The grandfather of Timothy is not mentioned

iv) The father of Timothy is also not mentioned

d) Nevertheless, there may be good examples to recall

i) The genuine faith in Timothy’s grandmother, Lois

ii) The genuine faith in Timothy’s mother, Eunice

iii) The genuine faith in Timothy 2 Timothy 1:5

2. The blessing of a spiritual family

a) The Apostle Paul as a Teacher

b) And as a spiritual father 2 Timothy 1:1-2

3. Learning deep lessons from the significant life of Paul 2 Timothy 1:8-12

a) Paul as a prisoner for the Lord

b) Admiration for his ability to suffer for his faith in the gospel

c) Standing in awe of the power of God in his life and ministry

d) The dramatic conversion of Paul and his salvation experience

e) The purposeful holy calling of the Lord

f) The appointment of Paul as a preacher, apostle,
and a teacher of the Gentiles

g) The consistently strong faith of the Apostle Paul

4. The Challenge to Timothy

a) To hold fast the pattern of sound words 2 Timothy 1:13

i) To know

ii) To be certain

iii) To be steadfast

b) To keep the “good thing” 2 Timothy 1:14

i) Consciousness of the Holy Spirit

ii) Power of the Holy Spirit

iii) The ministry of the Word entrusted

c) The sad reality of people turning away 2 Timothy 1:15

i) This is not an uncommon experience

ii) Some will drop out

iii) Others would turn against Paul

d) The joy of those who have remained true

i) They remain faithful

ii) They are an inspiration to the heart

iii) They bring joy and encouragement

e) To cultivate the Gift that God has given 2 Timothy 1:6

i) What God has not given is the spirit of fear 2 Timothy 1:7a

ii) God has given power, love and a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7b