How to study  2 Timothy (NASB)

• 1. Read 2 Timothy. Mark every reference to Paul in one color and Timothy in another. In chapters 1, 2, and 4, Paul refers to his circumstances: where he is and what is about to take place n his life. To help set the context of this letter, record on the Observation Chart anything you learn about Paul that would answer the "5 W's and an H": who, what, when, where, why, and how.

  2. Read 2 Timothy again. Observe everything you marked regarding Timothy and record your insights on the Observation Chart. 

  3. As you read 2 Timothy you probably noticed the many commands and/or instructions Paul gave Timothy. These are easy to see because the verb usually comes first in the sentence and the "you" is implied. An example of this is seen in 1:13: "Retain the standards of sound words."

     1. 1.  List the instructions and/or commands Paul gives Timothy throughout the letter on the Observations Chart. (Note the chapter and the verse in which you find each.)

        2. As you look for these instructions and/or commands, mark in the text the key words (and their synonyms and pronouns): gospel, suffers (hardships, persecutions), endure (d), faith, ashamed in NASB. When you mark references to the gospel, don't miss synonyms such as sound words, word, Scripture, sacred writings, etc.

  4. Think back over the list of instructions and commands Paul gives Timothy and keep in mind the emphasis Paul places on the gospel. What do you think Paul's main message is to Timothy in this epistle? Record this as theme of the book on Structure of 2 Timothy.

  5. Look at the book one chapter at a time and summarize the main teaching or theme of the each chapter on Structure of 2 Timothy. (Note: The theme of each chapter should relate to the theme of the book.)

  6. On Structure of 2 Timothy you will  see space to trace two themes, "Paul's Example" and "God Provision" that run throughout the book. Doing this will give you additional insight into the practicality of 2 Timothy for you own life. Examine each chapter in the light of these two themes and record your insights on the appropriate spaces on the chart. 

Key Words in the NIV and KJV

Key doctrines in 2 Timothy

1. Salvation by God's sovereign grace - comes through Jesus Christ alone (1:9, 10; 2:10; Gen 3:15; Ps 3:8; 37:39; Is 45:21, 22; 49:6; 59:16; 63:9; Luke 1:69; John 1:1-18; 6:35, 48; 8:12; 10:7, 9; 10:11-14; 11:25; 14:6; 17:3; Acts 4:12; 16:31; Rom 5:8; 10:9; Eph 2:8; 5:23; 1 Tim 1:14-16; 2:4; Heb 2:10; 5:9; 1 Pet 1:5; 1 John 1:1-4)

2. The person of Christ - both divine Judge over the world and the Messiah descending from the seed of David (2:8; 4:1, 8; Is 7:14; Matt 4:11; John 1:14; Rom 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9; 1 Tim 3:16; 6:15; 1 John 4:2, 3; 5:6)

3. Perseverance - believers who persevere give evidence of the genuineness of their faith (2:11, 13; Job 17:9; Ps 37:24; Prov 4:18; John 8:31; 1 Cor 15:58; Gal 6:9; Phil 1:6; Col 1:21-23; Heb 3:6, 14)

4. Inspiration of Scripture - God used the minds, vocabularies, and experiences of the biblical writers to produce His own infallible and inerrant Word (3:16, 17; Acts 1:16; Rom 3:2; 9:17; Gal 3:8; Heb 3:7; 1 Pet 4:11; 2 Pet 1:21)

Worksheets

Studies on 2 Timothy