Cultivate DT
Part 6) Fight: The Life of Ministry
The life of a minister is spiritual battle
Journal
- Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
- Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
- Recall a significant reaction, conversation, or event.
- List out all that you are grateful for.
Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
Bible Text: 2 Timothy 2:1–7
1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Questions
- What do soldiers, athletes, and farmers have in common? Why are these characteristics necessary for Christian life?
- What are the civilian pursuits I need to disentangle myself from as a good soldier of Christ?
- How does “aim… to please” (v.4) capture the spirit or motivation of a Christian? What is surprising about the fact that we are able to please God? How am I living to please God today?
Questions
- What is the gift that God has given to us (v.7)? What is our responsibility in receiving that gift (v.6)?
- (vv.8-12) Why would Timothy be tempted to be ashamed of Paul or of the gospel? How does our culture make Christians ashamed of their faith?
- Why is Paul not ashamed of the gospel? How do I need to remind myself of how awesome the Gospel is so that I am not ashamed about it?
Prayer