The Pastoral Epistles & Philemon
Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 10am and 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
Email: PastorRod@victoryfellowshipministries.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
Webpage: victoryfellowshipministries.com
Lesson Nine: The Last Days
1) GATHERING and OPENING PRAYER
2) READ / LISTEN to 2nd Timothy 3:1-17
A) What are your initial impressions? Questions?
i) Are there notable differences in various translations?
3) THE ROOT OF TROUBLE and APOSTASY (3:1-9)
A) Compare: usteroV kairoV (husteros kairos = later times 1st Tim. 4:1-5) and 2nd Timothy 3:1 - escatwV hmera (eschatos hemera = last days)
B) In verse 1, Paul speaks about 'the last days'. Here this means the whole of the time until Jesus comes again. (See Acts 2:14-17; Hebrews 1:1-2.) Now some parts of this time are not bad. They are good in fact. But other times are very bad. They are terrible. They are hard times for Christians to bear. It is hard to do anything to make them better. This is because most people are so bad. (See also 1 Timothy 1:9-10; 6:3-4). Then Paul gives Timothy a long list of ways in which many people are bad (verses 2-5).
C) How the trouble spreads (vv. 6-9)
i) Weak or silly women – perhaps wealthy
ii) Weighed down by un-confessed sin
iii) Ignorant of the truth
iv) Jannes and Jambres (Exodus 7:11-14)
4) OVERCOMING TROUBLE - THE FIRM FOUNDATION OF GOD’S WORD (3:10-17)
A) (vv. 10-11) Remember Paul’s 1st missionary journey.
i) Acts 13:14, 42-14:22
B) (vv. 12-13) In this life, there will be trouble. Live Ready!
i) Mark 10:29-30; John 16:33; James 1:2-4; 1st Peter 4:12
C) (vv. 14-17) A firm foundation (Matthew 7:24-27)
5) APPLICATION
A) We are living in what scripture refers to as “the last days.” It covers the span of history from the ascension of Jesus to the 2nd Coming. This time is characterized by increasing ungodliness and opposition to God’s truth and His people. (Acts 1:7-11; 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18)
B) Knowing we are in the last days, are you suffering for your faith? (2nd Timothy 3:12)
C) Christians must continually study and apply the Scriptures in our lives, prayerfully seeking guidance and discipline through the leading of the Holy Spirit. (2nd Timothy 2:15)
6) WRAP UP and CLOSE IN PRAYER
NEXT LESSON:
The Charge to Faithful Ministry - Read 2nd Timothy 4:1-22 to prepare
