Intro Notes:
1. Keep faithful to the Gospel, knowing we are responsible to God. (2 Timothy 4:1)
2. Keeping faithful to the Gospel requires knowing what the Gospel is. (2 Timothy 4:2)
3. Keeping faithful to the Gospel requires urgency and knowing the true meaning of success. (2 Timothy 4:3-5)
Table Talk Questions
- How are preachers and hearers in the church accountable to Christ? (v. 1) Why is good preaching not based on the needs of people or on the response of people? How should the fact that Christ is watching His church during preaching affect the preacher? How should it affect the hearers?
- Why is it important to know that God can make His Word scarce? What three ways does Paul give for how to preach the Word of God? (v. 2) What does “with complete patience and teaching” mean? Is there more authority in an expository sermon than in a topical sermon? Why or why not?
- What is going to happen in the future church regarding preaching? (v. 3) How do you see that happening in the broader church today? In what ways are you tempted to gather to yourself preachers who will tell you what you want to hear? (v. 4)
- What four ways does Paul give for keeping faithful to the Gospel? (v. 5) Despite being separated by centuries, what do preachers like Polycarp, Calvin, and Moffatt have in common?