Drift: How to Stay Mission True
“8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. 13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. 15 You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; 17 but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me— 18 the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.”—2 Timothy 1:8–18, NASB95
No one intends to drift. The word reminds us of objects in water, being driven along by a current. It happens gradually, subtly, and we are often oblivious to how far we have drifted until we face the consequences. Drift can occur in every aspect, from our relationships to our beliefs and, most devastatingly, our spiritual lives. Today we examine the questions, Is drift inevitable, or can we prevent it? Is it possible to stay Mission True?"
Discussion Questions: 2 Timothy 1:8-18
- Tell the group a story of drift from your life. When did you experience a gradual but profound shift in some vital aspect, like a relationship or a belief?
- Read 2 Timothy 1:1–7. In what ways did God equip Timothy to be a servant of Jesus?
- How does a spirit of power, love, and discipline (verse 7) counter fear?
- Read 2 Timothy 1:8–18. Paul was in prison because what he had been doing and saying was seen as an offense to people in power. The gospel clashed with the official Roman rule that Caesar was Lord. How might Paul’s imprisonment be a source of shame for Timothy or others?
- What do you see in this passage that would be an antidote to this temptation to be ashamed of the gospel?
- Why was Paul not ashamed of the gospel (vv. 11–12)?
- How does Paul contrast Phygelus and Hermogenes with Onesiphorus?
- What difference would a friend like Onesiphorus make to you as you struggle to live out and proclaim the gospel? Do you have that kind of friend? Tell the group about them.
- As you consider this passage, what gift of the Spirit needs to be rekindled in you?
- In today’s lesson, Pastor Russell said, “Drift is preventable when we are clear and intentional.” How will you apply this truth to your life this week?
Dig Deeper: The Gospel
Gospel means “good news” (euangelion) that reconciliation with God is available through Christ. Paul is explicit about the message in his writings, saying he preached the euangelion, which was that Christ died for sins, was buried, and arose on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). He defended his euangelion against the attacks of those teaching “another euangelion” (Galatians 1:7). Opponents of Paul were teaching that there was no salvation outside the Torah. To obtain righteousness in God’s eyes, they required that gentile Christians be circumcised and fulfill additional requirements of the Jewish law. If any euangelion was declared contrary to his, Paul threatened a curse on those proclaiming it (Galatians 1:9).
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