INTRODUCTION

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:

• How to journal? 
• What am I feeling?

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

1. What do soldiers, athletes, and farmers have in common? Why are these characteristics necessary for Christian life?
2. What are the civilian pursuits I need to disentangle myself from as a good soldier of Christ?
3. 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

1. What is the gift that God has given to us (v.7)? What is our responsibility in receiving that gift (v.6)? 
2. (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?
3. 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