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An introduction to the book of 2 Timothy
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Hey <<First Name>>,

Happy almost Friday! I've been so encouraged to hear about groups starting back up after the summer, and new people getting connected to community for the very first time. 

If this is your first time receiving this email, then welcome! Thank you for stepping out in faith to lead a group. I send out a podcast to group leaders about once a week. If you want to go back and listen to previous episodes you can find the archives here.

A few things to mention before getting to this episode:
  • Please stay in touch with Kathy and I as we work to get new people in your group.
  • Remember, the series Thru the Bible in 7 Weeks will start the weekend of October 7 & 8. The following week is when I'm asking your group to start going through a group study based around the series content. (Please reply and let me know if you have any questions about this.)
  • Don't miss the reflection questions at the end of this podcast.

The Making of a Christ-Centered Leader

For the next several weeks I'll be walking through the book of 2 Timothy. This episode serves as an introduction to the book and explains why a letter written to a pastor almost two thousand years ago is still relevant to you as a leader today.

(Episode length: 15 mins)

Listen Now

Show Notes

 

Main idea: The book of 2 Timothy shows us the making of a Christ-centered leader.

 

Brief intro to the book

  • Paul is writing to Timothy from prison, about to face his execution
  • Paul's thoughts are on ensuring the faith is protected, taught, and passed on

3 observations about 2 Timothy

  1. Paul was a prisoner in Rome
    • He was being held in a dismal underground dungeon with a hole in the ceiling for light and air
    • Emperor Nero was trying to destroy Christianity
    • Sensing his fate, Paul penned this letter to Timothy, calling him to guard the faith and ensure its passing on
  2. Timothy was being thrust into a position of Christian leadership far beyond his natural capacity
    • Timothy enjoyed a special relationship with Paul
    • Paul left Timothy in charge of the church in Ephesus
    • Timothy was hopelessly unfit for these weighty responsibilities of leadership in the church
    • Three reasons why: 1) Timothy was relatively young for leadership in his day, 2) he was always sick, 3) he was timid and reluctant to lead.
  3. Paul’s preoccupation in writing to Timothy is passing on the gospel
    • Timothy was charged with protecting, teaching, and spreading this gospel to the next generation
    • The gospel—the good news—of Jesus was Paul’s primary concern, and he urges Timothy to make it his

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you identify with Timothy—in over your head and called to lead beyond your capacity?
  2. How could it be a good thing that you feel unfit for your leadership role? What might your weaknesses reveal? Where do they cause you to look for help?
  3. To know how God wants to use you, you must discover your strengths and your weaknesses. Your strengths hint at where God wants to use you, but your weaknesses reveal how he wants to use you. What are your wordly weaknesses? (Are you not that smart, uncomfortable around people, slow to understand, awkward, do you have a speech impediment or handicap?) How might God want to work through your weakness?
  4. How do Paul’s leadership concerns differ from yours?
  5. Paul told the Corinthian church that his primary concern was passing on the gospel. If you asked your group or others you lead what you primary concern is in leading them, what would they say?
 
Download a full transcript of this episode below.
Download Transcript
Take care,

Grayson Pope
Pastor of Community
Mecklenburg Community Church

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