Bible Study: 2 Timothy 3

To watch a talk on this topic head to the bottom of this study.

Discuss

Why read the Bible with a sports friend?

God’s Word is powerful, and it will do His work in the lives of sportspeople. Our best thoughts, ideas, opinions or arguments, though useful, are still those of ourselves, of humans. They cannot compare to the Word of God in either power or influence. The Bible is useful for all people, at all times, and remains God’s Word across generations. It is still today our greatest tool for bringing people to Christ in the world of sport.

Read 2 Timothy 3:14-15

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

What you need to know

2 Timothy is the second letter written by Paul to Timothy, a younger leader of the church in Ephesus, who had been his travelling companion on some of his journeys. This is the last of Paul’s letters that we have in the Bible and the tone of it is that of an older leader ‘passing the baton’ on to a younger leader.

In v.14 what is Timothy to do?
In v.15 what are the ‘Holy Scriptures’ and what can they do?
What do you think these verses tell us about the potential impact of Scripture on our sports friends?
How does knowing this make you feel about reading the Bible with a sports friend?

Sum Up

God’s Word reveals God’s character, His teaching and the work of Jesus Christ. Reading it with a sports friend gives that friend direct access to God’s words.

Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

What you need to know

For most of us, the hardest thing about reading the Bible with a sports friend is knowing where to start! There are loads of great resources out there like Uncover or Reading the Word 121. Search online to find lots of options to help you if you need.

What does ‘God-breathed’ mean? Why does this encourage you as you think about reading the Bible with a friend?
In verse 16 we see that God’s Word is useful for 4 things. What are they? Why is each one important?
What does the Word of God achieve according to verse 17?
What would stop you asking a sports friend to read the Bible with you? Can you overcome this?

Sum Up

So often we assume our friends would not want to read the Bible without ever having asked them! When we remember the power of God’s Word from 2 Timothy 3, and see the impact it has on lives, why wouldn’t we want to give them the opportunity to access God’s Word for themselves?

What does this mean for us?

Write down answers to the following:

Who would you like to read the Bible with you?
Taking into account the latest Covid-19 restrictions, what ways could you still read the Bible with someone? E.g. Online, outside etc.
What will you do to enable this to happen?
Who can hold you to account for this?
How can you encourage other Christians in your club to do this too?

Go Deeper

All Bible quotations are taken with permission from the NIV:
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Discuss

Why read the Bible with a sports friend?

Read 2 Timothy 3:14-15

What you need to know

Sum Up

Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17

What you need to know

Sum Up

What does this mean for us?

Go Deeper

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