WORKSHOPS ON BIBLICAL EXPOSITION

SERMON PREPARATION WORKSHEET

Name: Sin Somnang (Cambodia)
Email: pastoraltrainercambodia@gmail.com Passage: 2Timothy 4:1-8

INSTRUCTIONS: In your small group, you will have 5 minutes to present each of your passages. For each of your assigned passages,
please respond to the questions below and provide 10 copies of this one-page handout (front and back, typed) that will assist your
group in offering productive feedback. If you do not understand any of these questions, please visit simeontrust.org/prepare/ to find
additional advice.

1. How has the author organized this passage?

Bible NIV (2Timothy 4:1-8)

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of
his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and
out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage. with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the
time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires,
they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head
in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your
ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is
near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in
store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on
that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” NIV

a) show the structure in sections with verse references and

Faithful to the Word (2 Timothy 4:1-8)
Immediate and textual context
Continue in the Word (3:14-17).
A. Continue in the Christ-centered Scriptures (3:15),
B. Continue in the God-breathed Scriptures (3:16a).
C. Continue in the totally sufficient Scriptures (3:16b-17).

2 TIMOTHY 4:1-8 (Structure)

I. Paul encourages Preach the Word (4:1-4).

II. Paul encourages to serve the Preach the Word (4:5).
III. Paul shows example of Faithful to the Word (4:6-8)

2. How does the context inform the meaning of this passage? Please consider:
a) the literary context (passages before and after the passage),

2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8 is ready to close his second letter to Timothy. The present chapter constitutes
his last recorded words. Verses 1-8 to correct “the handle of the Word of Truth 2:15” to Timothy
and a further reflection on Paul's own life of service to the Lord who endures hardship in ministry
of suffering 2Timothy1:8, 12, 2:3 for the context of heresy.

Please remember to print 10 copies of this completed worksheet and bring them with you to the small group session.
CHARLES SIMEON TRUST © 2022
Paul listed serval key words in 2 Timothy 4:2 (Sound teaching v3, preach the Word, be ready,
reprove the truth V4, the faith V7, rebuke 3:16, exhort to learn firmly season out of season,
Judge 1Cor3:12-15, before living and dead, Mathew 25:31-33, sound doctrine v3, 1:13 ) relate to
the "time" in which people will reject sound teaching (4:3-4)? Note the word "for" in verse 3,
which typically introduces the reason behind a previous statement. The phrase "the time (Kiros) is
coming" refer to the distant future, or is it a dramatic description of the serious opposition Paul
and Timothy already face? Compare 1 Timothy 4:1-3 and 2 Timothy 3:1. The opening words are
directed at Timothy with force: “But as for you." As in previous passages Paul once again contrasts
the present situation in Ephesus with Timothy's call to be different. Even though many would be
led into deception by false teaching, heresy (4:3-4), Timothy must do something else. He must
keep a clear head in everything (v. 5). Because some did not want to hear the word of truth,
Timothy must be prepared to “endure hardship" when people opposed his teaching. Since people
were ignorant of the gospel, Timothy must “do the work of an evangelist.” Even though some
would abandon him for the false teachers, Paul told him, "Fulfill your ministry." In 2 Timothy 4:6-
8 Paul issues his charge in the light of his impending martyrdom. After urging Timothy to fulfill
his ministry, he reflects on his own ministry. Here we find some powerful words to all Christians
about loving and serving Christ until the end of our days.

b) the historical context (circumstances of the author’s audience),

Paul charges Timothy to "fulfill your ministry" (2 Tim. 4:5; compare Col4:17) What does this
mean? How does this exhortation relate to the other commands in this verse? Note that Paul uses
the same Greek verb translated "fulfill" in 2 Timothy 4:5 to describe his own full proclamation of
the gospel among the nations in verse 17. Christ "will judge the living and the dead." The Holy
Spirit is not mentioned in this verse; judgment is under the authority of God the Father, who has
"entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father"
(Ex29:40-41, Lev23:13, Number: 15:4-10. John 5:22-23; see also Acts 17:31, Phil2:17; note also
Paul's reference to "the Lord, the righteous Judge" in 2 Tim. 4:8).

c) the cultural context (details relevant to life as it was lived in this place at this time),
In 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Paul reflects on the "time, Kiros" of his own imminent departure. Paul
presents his life as a "drink offering," using Old Testament sacrificial imagery (Ex. 25:29). He
then reflects further on his imminent death, using three athletic metaphors: (1) a fight or contest,
(2) a race, and (3) a victory crown. How does Paul's statement, "I have kept the faith," in verse 7
fit with this imagery? Compare 1 Timothy 6:11; 1 Corinthians 9:24- 27. How does Paul's looming
death offer support and urgency to Timothy so that he may "be sober-minded, endure suffering,
do the work of an evangelist, fulfill ministry" (2 Tim. 4:5).

d) the biblical context (citations/allusions or historical connections to other books that the
author is making). Please list only those that are relevant to the meaning of the passage.

In 2 Timothy 2:8-3:9, Paul instructs Timothy to respond to controversy in the church by

promoting sound teaching and correcting opponents with gentleness. In 2:14–3:9, Paul offers
instruction for dealing with false teaching. Timothy's opponents quarrel about words and promote
ignorant controversies that distract and damage faith (2:14, 16–18, 23). In contrast, Timothy must

Please remember to print 10 copies of this completed worksheet and bring them with you to the small group session.
CHARLES SIMEON TRUST © 2022
rightly handle God's Word as a proven worker who faithfully teaches God's people, corrects
opponents with gentleness, and models godly character (2:15, 22– 25).

Paul reminds Timothy, such suffering is unsurprising-it is to be expected. In a text apparently not
found in the Bibles of prosperity-gospel preachers, Paul says that "everyone who wants to live a
godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (3:12).

3. What is the main point the author is arguing with his audience (in one short sentence)?
He has not left concern for the false teachers behind; the descriptions of "evildoers" in 3:13 and those
"who will not put up with sound doctrine" in 4:3-4 obviously have them in view. In the face of false
teaching and the pressure of persecution, Timothy needs to "stay the course," deepening his
conviction about the things he has learned (3:14). This instruction in truth is rooted especially in "the
Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, it
becomes plain that the apostle does not expect to live much longer but will be put to death as a
Christian.

4. How does this passage connect to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

What part of the gospel is in view?
In Context of 3:1-9, Paul further describes the difficulty and rampant ungodliness that the church
faces "in the last days." The opponents are "corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith"
(2 Tim. 3:8), and Timothy must avoid such people and remember that they will ultimately fail
sound doctrine of Christ (3:5, 9)

5. What is the main point you will argue to your audience (in one short sentence)?
the last part of the letter body, Paul returns to a focus on his own life as a pattern for Timothy. Once
more, suffering, which of course Paul is experiencing as he writes, looms large-the passage is
bracketed by texts describing Paul's own tribulations (3:11-12; 4:6-8).

6. What applications will you make?

Timothy was in a challenging setting for ministry, but it is not unlike our own day. Indeed,
these challenges are relevant for every Christian, especially pastor-leaders.
Paul's Example of Faithfulness in his proclamation of the Word.
o Preacher should prepare immense amount of prayer and preparation.
o Preacher should be clear what God wants in preacher and through preacher
life
o Preacher should preach the whole counsel of God.

Please remember to print 10 copies of this completed worksheet and bring them with you to the small group session.
CHARLES SIMEON TRUST © 2022
7. What is your sermon title and your preaching outline?
2Timothy 4:1-8
“Be faithful to ministry of the Word to the end”

Main Idea:
Every Christian is called to keep on learning, living, faithful, God’s Word, and everyone who
preaches and teaches the Word in God’s grace.

I. Preach the Word (4:1-4).

• Preach the Word faithfully (4:1-2a).
• Preach the Word consistently_(4:2b).
• Preach the Word pastorally_(4:2c)
• Preach the Word patiently (4:2d)
• Preach the Word theologically. (4:2e-4)

II. Serve the Word (4:5).

• Remember calling to Faithfulness (4:5)
• Keep a clear mind about everything. (4:5b)
• Endure hardship of ministry (4:5c)
• Do the work of an evangelist (4:5d)
• Fulfill calling ministry (4:5e)

III. Faithfulness to the Word (4:6-8)

• The present, battle ministry (4:6)
• The past, victorious ministry (4:7)
• The future, glorious ministry (4:8)

Application:
Somnang Sin
Pastoral Academy Cambodia
Langham and Gprocommission

Please remember to print 10 copies of this completed worksheet and bring them with you to the small group session.
CHARLES SIMEON TRUST © 2022