How Firm A Foundation

A Bible Study for Women using the authorized King James Bible, the only inerrant Word of God

By Patricia Dowers

Introduction

The year is approximately 66 A.D. The aged Apostle Paul is imprisoned in Rome and wrapping up his long and arduous ministry spreading the Gospel. He is writing to the young man he has mentored for years in preparation for the ministry. Timothy is now leading the church at Ephesus and Paul desires to see him one last time (II Tim. 1:4). Timothy, who was raised by godly women and placed in the hands of Paul at an early age (II Tim. 1:5), was like a son to Paul.

As we study this epistle, we will see the importance of the spiritual legacy that we, as godly, mature women desire to leave behind. Women who begin early in their child rearing or mentoring years (remember, all women, married or single, have opportunities to mentor children) have many opportunities to impart godly knowledge. I pray this Bible study will give you purpose and encouragement to fulfill your role.

Please note: In this study, as in all others, it is important to read all Scripture references for yourself that you may know what God has to say.

Session 1

We will begin this session by reading II Timothy, chapter one aloud with your group. When writing a letter, the salutation or greeting is important. It identifies the recipient of the letter. In our culture, salutations have become quite simple. It is usually, “Dear Margaret” or even more simply, “Sirs”. In earlier times or other cultures, salutations are much more involved, packed with information about the sender and the recipient, as well as well wishes. We have certainly come a long way from that traditional style to dashing off an email. It saves time but I fear we have lost much.

Let us look again at verses 1-5. Please read them aloud in your group.

How does Paul identify himself?

How does he identify Timothy?

What are Paul’s three desires for Timothy in v. 2?

Who does Paul claim as the source of life and good gifts (v.2)?

It is amazing how Paul’s salutations always contain little sermonettes. Take a few moments with your group and browse through Paul’s other epistles. Read aloud some of these salutations to identify common threads and discuss them.

Verses 3-5 compare Paul’s history with Timothy’s. Verse 3 tells us that Paul was raised in the Jewish faith and v. 5 tells us Timothy was raised in the Christian faith. As a Jew, Paul believed he was faithfully serving God by persecuting Christians. By saving faith, his life was changed when he met Jesus on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-19).

Paul’s conversion to Christ and subsequent ministry led to the salvation of what two women in Timothy’s life?

Paul was the mentor in Timothy’s young life but his mother and grandmother were the steady influence. God had an important plan for Timothy but it wouldn’t happen unless everyone was doing his or her job.

Discuss with your group the different ways you can be a steady influence in a young persons life.

At the time of this letter, Timothy is no longer a child. He has spent time travelling in the ministry with Paul and is now pastoring a Christian church in Asia Minor. In verses 6-11 we read that Paul’s role, as a mentor is not over. He sees the need to remind Timothy of the power of God within and to stand against the sufferings to come. Let us look at some of these reminders.

What should Timothy stir up? (v. 6)

What has God given us? (v. 7)

Of what should he not be ashamed? (v.8)

Of what should he be partaker? (v.8)

Verse 9 reveals a statement that is critical for young people to understand and all of us, for that matter. God has not only saved us but also called us with an holy calling. So many young people think it is enough to be saved and then live your best for the Lord without any thought that God has saved us for a purpose. God has a specific role for each of us and He has armed us with particular gifts to fulfill that role (I Cor. 12: 4-11). II Tim. 1:11 shows us that Paul understood his own role and though our role may not seem as important to us as Paul’s, we can be assured it is to God (Eph. 4:15,16).

Paul provides his own testimony in IITim.1: 12, to give Timothy encouragement for his mission.

Please read verses 12-14 aloud with your group and copy verse 12b in the space below.

Remember, when mentoring or witnessing your personal testimony of how you trust the Lord daily is important.

Verses 15-18 reveal how much Paul followed the lives of individuals in his ministry. It was not all “roses”. Verse 15 reveals that many turned away. We will experience that also. It is especially hurtful when it is a family member who turns away. There is one mentioned in verses 16-18 who caused Paul to rejoice over his faithfulness.

How many ways did Onesiphorus minister to Paul. I find four in verses 16 and 17. Please list them below.

Session 2

Please read II Tim. 2: 1-7 aloud with your group. Here Paul continues with his encouragement to Timothy that we found in chapter one, only now he is becoming more specific in his instruction. It is so important to keep in mind when mentoring, that children and new believers need specifics. When the Christian walk is new one can easily misstep if there is misunderstanding about direction. Perhaps you may recall this from your own experience. Discuss this with your group.

Verse 2 instructs us to pass on and pass down what God has revealed to Paul that which would later be incorporated into the Holy Scriptures for us. There are many places in Scripture, including the Old Testament where we are instructed to pass on God’s revelation.

Please read the following passages and jot down in the space below what knowledge was to be passed down?

Exodus 13: 14-16

Joshua 4:20-24

I Kings 2:1-4

Thankfully, God has blessed us with the complete Word of God with full instruction for preaching, teaching, witnessing and modeling the gospel and life of the believer.

II Tim. 2: 3,4 describes the attributes of the good soldier of Jesus Christ. Paul often employs the military model in describing the believer’s walk, probably because the incredibly disciplined life of the Roman military was so visible in all of her conquered territories. It was certainly visible to Paul as a prisoner of Rome. Please read Ephesians 6: 11-17 aloud with your group. This is a useful passage to commit to memory.

II Tim. 2: 5-7 tells us that God has a correct order to all achievements. The new Christian must learn this rule and the mature Christian must remember and model it. There are no shortcuts to spiritual growth or bearing fruit.

Please read II Tim. 2: 8-14 aloud with your group. The Romans and Jews considered Paul a model citizen until he began to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. This may be our own experience. There was a time in our country when belief in Jesus Christ (even if it wasn’t saving belief) was the accepted norm. We know that has changed. The gospel of Jesus Christ is now considered politically incorrect, ethnically offensive, and morally restrictive to most. To the rest, it is an embarrassment to be avoided. What will come next before the Lord returns? This is why it is so critical that we prepare this generation and the next to stand firm in the Truth. Women of retirement age are not retired in the Lord’s Army. Age has merely freed up our time to devote to this daunting challenge.

Please read II Tim. 2: 15-19 aloud with your group and copy verse 15 in the space below. This is another great memory verse.

This passage warns of veering away from the Truth of God’s Word.

What are we to shun in verse 16?

In James 1:26 Why is this man’s religion vain?

These are warnings for contamination in our churches. In II Tim. 2:17 Paul names two individuals the church needed to deal with. As women, sometimes we experience this sort of thing in our Bible studies where a lady may attend from another church and it soon becomes clear that she brings with her another knowledge. Although we want to be welcoming, we must be lovingly adamant that the Word of God is our only authority. Hopefully this will be a positive teaching opportunity but, if not, she will probably need to move on. These situations should always be bathed in prayer and it is always prudent to include your pastor if things become difficult. Keep in mind that many have come to a saving knowledge of Christ in Bible studies. We are not speaking of those with a heart to learn but those whose purpose is to subvert.

Verse 19 assures us that “the Lord knoweth them that are His”. That is a comforting assurance. What does the latter part of this verse tell us is our responsibility?

Please read II Tim. 2:20-26 aloud with your group. Here we have in verses 20 and 21 Paul’s example of the different vessels used in a great house. As women, this should be very familiar. We all have vessels in our house that are useable but never for entertaining or even for family dinners. We demonstrate our love and graciousness by providing our best. In the same fashion, we want to present ourselves as a clean, godly vessel for the Master’s use.

Verses 22 and 23 give us instruction for maintaining our vessels to be used for God’s glory and fulfilling our purpose to be used by Him. According to these verses what two things should we flee or avoid?

What four things should we follow?

Verses 23-26, which begin with the word, but, give an important warning of the traps into which even the most wary Christian may fall. We encounter these traps most often in a mentoring situation and you may recall a few times when it has happened to you. Discuss these with your group.

Why should we avoid foolish and unlearned questions?

What must we do rather than strive? (I find four in verses 24 and 25.)

Remember, a constant and steady witness before unsaved friends and family is what God uses most often. Verse 26 tells us Satan is constantly seeking to side track the weak. He will also use our unsaved friends and family members to chip away at our testimony. Paul is warning Timothy, and thankfully, us as well.

Session 3

The Apostle Paul, at this last stage of his life, must be aware this may be his final opportunity to warn and prepare Timothy to carry on without him. His heart must have been so full of everything he needed to pass on. This is our best legacy that we can leave to those we love. Please read II Timothy, chapter 3 aloud with your group and listen for the emotion in Paul’s words.

In verse 1 Paul speaks of the last days and perilous times. There certainly could be no more perilous time than the bloody reign of the emperor, Nero, for Christians. Christians were being persecuted and executed in horrible ways every day by Roman soldiers who even made sport of it. Yet Paul speaks of those who have the ability to undermine the soul and the godly spirit and to destroy the testimony of Christ. Verses 2-4 give us a long list of selfish, corrupting sins. Identify a few of them in the space below.

This list can be applied to every generation with more intensity. Our God has been exceedingly patient and merciful.

Please copy II Tim. 3: 5 in the space below.

I believe the power Paul speaks of is the power in the blood of Christ shed for us, and the only pure and acceptable payment for sin. Verses 6-9 describe how Satan uses men with false knowledge and strange doctrine to adulterate the truth from within the church and from without. Their words may be comforting and somewhat familiar but they give voice to the lies of Satan (Gal. 6: 7-8, Phil. 3: 17-19, Col. 2:18).

Verse 8 uses the word, reprobate. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines reprobate as morally corrupt, but also condemned. So these men were condemned for adulterating or resisting the truth. Let us look at some other places in Scripture where God reveals how He feels about changing or tampering with the Truth of His Word.

Read the following verses and identify what God has in store for those who commit this sin.

Rom. 1:18

Gal. 1:9

Phil. 3:17-19

Rev. 22: 18,19

II Tim. 3:9 promises that eventually their lies will be manifested to all.

In II Tim. 3: 10-13 Paul lists his examples of faith, endurance and deliverance. To whom does he give the glory in verse 11?

What does verse 12 tell us that Christians can expect?

Discuss with your group how you might prepare those you mentor for this eventuality. Perhaps you have some examples of your own.

I do not know anyone who looks forward to being persecuted. Yet this passage tells us if we live a godly life in Christ Jesus we can expect it. Perhaps we can even say it is our heritage. But God promises to see us through these times to our final glorification in Jesus. Read the following verses to identify how God strengthens us through persecution.

II Cor. 12: 9,10

I Pet. 4:14

I have included below an anonymous hymn sung for many years by believers who love the Lord and look for His comfort. Please have someone in your group read the words aloud and ask the ladies to share times when their foundation held through difficulties.

How Firm a Foundation

Anonymous/Unknown

1. How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!

What more can He say than to you He hath said—

To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

2. “Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,

For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.

3. “When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;

For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

4. “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;

The flame shall not harm thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

5. “The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,

I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”

Certainly, our foundation is in Jesus and His written Word. Paul, in II Tim. 3: 14-17 is reminding Timothy of his foundation from a child in the Holy Scriptures and to continue in all he has been taught. You may not have begun your foundation as a child but whenever it began you can continue to build on it and encourage others to do the same. Please copy II Tim. 3:16,17 in the space below (another excellent memory passage).

Session 4

As we read II Timothy chapter 4, we get a real sense that Paul is not only bringing his letter to Timothy to a close, but his earthly life as well. Paul has some final warnings for Timothy and he seems to want all of his belongings in one place. Perhaps he means to distribute them to others. Please read through Chapter 4 with your group.

Paul begins this chapter with a charge to Timothy. This word conveys not just a suggestion or a challenge, but in military terms, the same as an order. Why such strong language? Paul and Timothy both know that (v. 1) the Lord Jesus Christ will judge the ________ and the _________ at His appearing and Kingdom. The word, quick refers to the living. That means everyone gives account.

I am sure Paul must have been so thankful to the Lord that Timothy, among many others would carry on the work of evangelism (I Tim. 1:18 and II Tim. 1:3). As women, our best and only lasting legacy we can leave behind is the value of a life well lived for the Lord. If faith and godliness skip a generation God will need to raise another witness or that line will be lost. We have learned this from the history of Israel. There is much at stake.

Paul instructs Timothy in verse 2 preach the Word and be _________ in season and out of season. We must be ready at any moment to not miss an opportunity to share salvation and the godly life. How are we to share this knowledge? The end of v. 2 tells us with l__________ and d____________. This means with patience using the Word of God.

Timothy is warned in Verses 3 and 4 that there will be much opposition. The Bible tells us people have a natural yearning for God but so often create their own (Rom. 1:19-23). Perhaps some in your group would like to share their own experiences regarding opposition to the Truth. This is common in families as well as churches. Take a moment to support each other in this area.

Paul tells Timothy in v.5 not to be discouraged. We must do the work and let the Lord deal with the rest as only He can.

Please read II Tim. 4: 6-8 aloud with your group. This passage is a wonderful example of the believer’s end of life experience that the world will never understand. Let us look at some of the elements reflected in Paul’s words. He first states he is ready to be offered. This implies Paul knew his life would be taken from him in execution. He is at peace with this. The Lord held him in life and would hold him in death (Phil. 1:21-24).

Please copy II Tim. 4:7 in the space below.

This should be the goal of all believers and young people should be encouraged to set this goal early in their Christian walk. In this passage I hear the weariness in Paul’s words but also the triumph of a job well done. I’m sure for Paul this was a reward in itself but he goes on in verse 8 to describe the crown of righteousness that the Lord will bestow on him. If that is not enough, Paul, in his usual fashion, reaches down through the ages to all future believers to let us know this crown will be bestowed on all those who love His appearing. Remember, we cannot love His appearing if we are not ready for His appearing by belief in the shed blood and finished work of Christ on the cross as remission for our sin. Washed in the blood of the Lamb is the only way we can stand before Holy God.

All of this was more than a hope for Paul. He knew these promises to be true. He proved them over and over and they held. His belief in Jesus was real and solid and allowed him to be weary yet peaceful and joyful. What a good place to be at any stage of life!

Now that Paul has assured Timothy of his personal state of mind and heart, he gets back to the business of Timothy’s journey to Rome. In verses 9-13 he reminds Timothy that time is short and he must come quickly. Apparently, a number of men have left Paul’s company, some to further the Lord’s mission and at least one (Demas) to further his own mission. I wonder what Demas would have done differently if he knew he would forever be recorded as the one who deserted?

Paul has some belongings that Timothy is asked to bring with him to Rome. I cannot help but believe he means to distribute them to others to carry on the work. They are all useful things, a warm cloak for a long journey, books and parchments, most likely Scripture and maps. As women, we need to think of the things we are leaving behind for others. Some of us may be leaving quite a bit more than others but the most valuable are things that promote or inspire a lifetime walk with the Lord. Discuss with your group some ways you could accomplish this. Jot some ideas in the space below.

Paul had no problem giving credit where credit was due. Alexander the coppersmith did not escape (II Tim. 4:14). We don’t know the situation. Perhaps Alexander accused Paul before Nero. Paul only acknowledged the fact that Alexander did him evil. Paul then just left him to the Lord. This should be our attitude, also, in a similar situation. No hurt feelings and no thoughts of revenge; just give it to the Lord and trust Him to take care of it.

The Old Testament saints also understood the importance of trusting in the justice of the Lord. Please read Psa. 94:21-23.

Who does the psalmist say is his defense?

Who is the Rock of his refuge?

What will the Lord do?

Conclusion

Young people need to know the only true justice comes from the Lord and we can trust it even when we can’t see it. He also sustains us through trials and difficulties. Paul gives witness to this in the final verses of his letter to Timothy. Verses 17 and 18 give us Paul’s triumphant testimony to the Lord’s empowering strength, deliverance and preservation to complete His work and will, and the promise to bring His faithful servant home. Until that time comes for us, let us be thankful for and share…

our firm Foundation.

How Firm A Foundation

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