Leader Guide

• Have you ever let something crowd out something else and later realized you missed the original thing?

Ask if any students want to share a quick story. You may prepare a few youth ahead of time to share.

Bible Study
In the days fo the early church, the city was Ephesus was one of the largest cities in the world. Their religions sought mental enlightenment and physical pleasure while emperor was worshipped as a god. Being Christian wasn’t very popular.Paul wrote a letter to the church at Ephesus in 62 AD and a follow-up addressed to Timothy around 63 AD.

While in jail, nearing his execution, Paul wrote a second letter to Timothy in 66 AD.

Timothy was a young, timid, church leader who faced a lot of opposition. There were a lot of issues within the church that needed to be addressed as well as some organizing that needed to happen. These struggles have a tendency to make people complacent and can cause them to lose their passion. But Paul wanted Timothy to come alive again.

 Read 2 Timothy 1:6

• What words evoke the same feeling as the song we just heard?

Depending on the translations used you may have read words like stir-up, rekindle, kindle afresh, or fan into flame. The Greek word is anazōpyreō.

• What English words look similar to this? (Allow a few answers and if no one says it suggest “pyro”.)
• Do you know what a pyromaniac is? (Again, allow a couple students the opportunity to explain but if no one gets it tell them it means someone who likes to play with fire. They are on fire about playing with fire.)

Paul commands Timothy to actively renew his passion for Jesus and His Church. This verse begins with “therefore” meaning it is the end of a thought. Let’s read the chapter up to this point and beyond to verse 7.

Read 2 Timothy 1:1-7

• What words give clues about Paul and Timothy’s relationship?
• Is it a close or distant relationship?

Paul and Timothy likely had a close friendship. Paul thought of Timothy as a spiritual son and mentored him during his missionary journeys before helping establish him as the pastor at Ephesus. An important requirement for staying passionate about God is a mentor. Every Timothy needs a Paul and every Paul needs a Timothy. In fact, just one chapter later, in 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul challenges Timothy to disciple others who can then become disciple makers themselves.

• Who is your mentor?
• Who could be mentoring you if you don’t have one?
• Who are you mentoring?
• Who could you mentor?

Family and close friends can also help you in your faith.

• Looking at verse 5, what Christian relatives did Timothy have?
• What Christian relatives do you have?

Because Timothy had a mentor and Christian family members pulling for him, he should rekindle the fire. Therefore, he should become alive again in his passion for the work of Jesus. And lastly, Timothy had the Spirit of God with him as we see mentioned in verse 6 and 7.

Wrap Up
Paul challenged Timothy to be fearless, strong, loving and disciplined in getting back to the work he was called to do. Every Christian has a calling.

• What work might Jesus be calling you to renew passion about?

If you are not a Christian, then you cannot rekindle the fire but you can start it tonight. Speak to a leader as we close out our time together.

Playlist
This song is featured on “The Linc: Priorities” Spotify playlist – which is the perfect way to remind your students what you’ve taught them in this session. To share it with them, click the live link on the web version of this study.