Christmas with Compassion - Day 22
Day 22 - Tuesday, January 02
Read 2 Timothy 2
Highlight
As Paul mentors Timothy in this chapter (and encourages Timothy to mentor others!), he uses three examples to help Timothy understand what virtues are required for him to persevere in his faith. The examples are a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. In the soldier Paul highlights the virtue of single-mindedness: half-hearted effort is not enough. In the athlete Paul highlights the virtue of obedience: there are choices that will destructively undermine our ministry if we aren’t careful. In the farmer Paul highlights the virtue of diligence: a farmer’s work is not always glamorous but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth the effort. Paul includes hints with all three examples that there are rewards awaiting us in Heaven. Beyond warfare is victory, beyond competition is a crown, and beyond labor there is a crop!
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read 2 Timothy 2
Highlight
As Paul mentors Timothy in this chapter (and encourages Timothy to mentor others!), he uses three examples to help Timothy understand what virtues are required for him to persevere in his faith. The examples are a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. In the soldier Paul highlights the virtue of single-mindedness: half-hearted effort is not enough. In the athlete Paul highlights the virtue of obedience: there are choices that will destructively undermine our ministry if we aren’t careful. In the farmer Paul highlights the virtue of diligence: a farmer’s work is not always glamorous but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth the effort. Paul includes hints with all three examples that there are rewards awaiting us in Heaven. Beyond warfare is victory, beyond competition is a crown, and beyond labor there is a crop!
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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