Main Thought
2 Timothy 1:7 says that God didn’t give us a “spirit of fear.” A spirit of fear is marked by consistent, negative reactions to bad things that might happen. This fear keeps us from moving forward with God. But God offers power, love, and a sound mind as a solution to our fear. We can trust and rely on God’s power before turning to anyone or anything else. Fear bends our hearts inward toward self-preservation, but love turns our hearts outward toward service. Fear creates panic, but God wants to give us a sound mind filled with peace. These three things make us unafraid of sharing in God’s mission. Standing with God will cause us to suffer loss in some way. However, sharing in God’s mission also means that we’ll share in God’s victory. His victory will outlast anything that might cause us to be afraid.
Main Passages
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
- 2 Timothy 1:7
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel...
- 2 Timothy 1:8-10
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. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
- 2 Timothy 2:3-10
Discussion Questions
What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Main Passages above?
What’s one step you’re afraid of taking in your walk with God? How might God’s power, love, and/or a sound mind help you move in that direction?
Disciples of Jesus are called to become fishers of men (Matthew 4:19), and God wants to make us unafraid as we do so. Is there anyone you can share God’s love with as the Christmas season approaches? How can you do that?