February 4, 2018 – 2 Timothy 1:1-18

Lesson Date: February 4, 2018

Focal Scripture Passage: 2 Timothy 1:1-18

AIM: To lead students to list and discuss nine things we should remember when facing trials or hardships, and to keep this list handy so they can remember these things when facing difficulties.

Before class: Read the notes on 2 Timothy 2:1-18 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book. Get enough copies of the “Remember These Things” study guide for your anticipated attendance. Have some pens or pencils on hand for any students who might need one. Write the word “Remember” on the marker board or chalkboard. Be prepared with an example from your experience of a time when someone told you to remember something important.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Direct the class’ attention to the word “Remember” written on the board. Tell the students your experience of someone telling you something important to remember. Ask: “Has anyone ever told you to remember something really important?” Ask volunteers to tell things they have been told to remember. After each volunteer shares, ask why it was important that they remember that fact or information.

Comment that memory is a funny thing. Sometimes we forget important things and remember unimportant things. Ask them if they have ever forgotten anything important. Ask a few volunteers to briefly give some examples. Ask the students if they ever remember unimportant or useless facts. Ask a few volunteers to briefly give some examples.

Read the lesson aim to the class.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review and Introduction to 2 Timothy.
   • Remind the students that we are studying the New Testament books of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (our personal testimony of salvation).
   • Ask if any volunteer would be willing to recite last week’s memory verse (Titus 3:5).
   • Ask if any of the students had an opportunity to share their personal testimony this week. If so, ask them to tell about that experience.
   • Ask a volunteer to read 2 Timothy 1:1-4.
   • Briefly introduce the book of 2 Timothy by explaining the following:
     • Remind the students that Paul wrote 1 Timothy and Titus after being released from his first Roman imprisonment (A.D. 64 – locate Rome on the map).
     • Paul continued his missionary travels, but was later arrested again. He was taken back to Rome, where he was ultimately executed.
     • Paul wrote 2 Timothy about A.D. 67, shortly before his execution.
     • This is Paul’s last letter, written to his closest associate. These are the last written words we have from the Apostle Paul.
2. Remember These Things.
   • Give everyone a copy of the “Remember These Things” study guide. Be sure everyone has a pen or pencil.
   • Tell the students the study guide will not only guide our study of this passage; it will also serve as a reminder of these truths and hopefully a reference for future use.
   • Use the following procedure to work through the study guide:
     • For each item, read the verse(s) indicated.
     • Ask the class what word(s) should be used to fill in the blank(s) for that item. (answers are listed at the end of this lesson plan.)
     • Ask how remembering that fact can help us when we face trials or hardships.
     • Repeat this procedure for the remaining items on the study guide.
   • After reading verse 7, ask the class what God has NOT given us (a spirit of fear). Ask what He HAS given us (a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind).
   • After reading verse 9, explain that the verse reveals several wonderful facts about our salvation:
     • God is the one who saves us (1 Tim. 1:1; 2:3; 4:10; Titus 1:3; 2:10, 13; 3:4; Jude 1:25), because we cannot save ourselves through any religion or good works (Rom. 3:20; Gal. 2:16).
     • God called us with a holy calling (1 Cor. 1:26-27; Eph. 1:18; Heb. 3:1).
     • God didn’t call us or save us based on our works (Eph. 2:9).
     • God saved us according to His own purpose (Eph. 1:9, 11), because He has a plan for each of us (Jer. 29:11).
     • God saved us by His grace (Eph. 2:8).
     • God gave us that grace through Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:24)
     • God gave (reckoned or imputed it to our account – Rom. 4:22-24) that grace to us before the world began (Eph. 1:4; Heb. 4:3; Rev. 17:8). Hallelujah!
3. People Who Forgot and One Who Remembered.
   • Read 2 Timothy 1:15-18.
   • Tell the students these verses name some poor examples of remembering and clinging to the truth and one good example.
   • Ask: “Who forgot these truths and abandoned Paul?” (the people in Asia, including Phygellus and Hermogenes).
   • Ask: “Who remembered these truths and remained faithful to Paul?” (Onesiphorus).
   • Ask: “What did Onesiphorus do for Paul?” (he refreshed Paul, he was not ashamed of Paul’s chains but diligently sought him out in Rome, and he ministered to Paul in Ephesus – locate Rome and Ephesus on the map).

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Using the “Remember These Things” study guide, review the nine things we should remember when we face trials or hardships. Tell the students these nine things are important. Ask: “Will you strive to remember these nine truths or will you carelessly forget them?”

Tell the class we all tend to be forgetful, so we need reminders to help us remember important things. Urge everyone to put the completed study guide in their Bible so they can find it when they face hard times. If anyone is facing trials right now, encourage him or her to remember and hold onto these nine truths. Ask everyone to thank God for these truths and to commit to remember them when trials or hardships come their way. Lead a closing prayer.

CONCLUSION: Ask everyone to memorize 2 Timothy 1:7. Tell them to read over their study guide any time they feel discouraged.

Words for each blank on the “Remember These Things” study guide:

1. Faith
2. Gift, you
3. God, within
4. Sufferings, others
5. Source
6. Death, eternal
7. Tasks, you
8. Keeping
9. Doctrine