more training

Good afternoon friends,
I hope you're having a good and relaxing weekend. In today's reading, Paul reminds Timothy that part of his calling as a leader in the church is to correct those who are going astray, but he needs to do that gently. Gentleness and love is as important as truth when it comes to helping others see where they need to change. Humility is a big part of that as well, since we are not meant to judge others, and we all have room to grow.
 

Also in this passage are two of the most famous verses about scripture: "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work." Inspired can also be translated as "God breathed," because the scripture is God's word, even though it was written by people. When we spend time regularly with the Bible, we will grow in faith and in spiritual power. Notice that Paul again uses the image of training in godliness; we need to be intentional about our faith development. That's one thing we'll be talking about after worship tomorrow: how can we do more to help our youngest members develop in their faith. I hope you'll be part of that conversation.

God bless,
Sam

2 Timothy 3:10-17

¹⁰Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, ¹¹my persecutions and suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹²Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. 

¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.