Post on 18-Feb-2022
transcript
page 9 4 your legacy
your legacy:loving god and others
Communicate the hope of leaving a godly legacy to our children and future
generations.
God gives us the ability to influence a future generation for good, for God’s
glory and their benefit.
Help all believers consider how they can leave a godly legacy that will
impact future generations.
Background
Passage:
2 T I M O T H Y 1
focal
Passage:
2 T I M O T H Y 1 : 3 - 7
• Reading Your Own Obituary
• Making Much of Heaven
• I Thank God for . . . (v. 1b)
• . . . Spiritual Heritage (vv. 3-5)
• . . . Spiritual Mentors and Friends
in the Gospel (v. 2)
•. . . Spiritual Gifts and Calling (v. 6)
•. . . Spiritual Discipline (v. 7)
• Telling the Coming Generation
Memory
Verses:
P S A L M S 7 8 : 6 b - 7
They were to rise and
tell their children so that
they might put their
confidence in God and
not forget God’s works, but
keep His commands.
LLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNN 111111333333
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PREPARING TO TEACH
Early in the second term of U.S. Presidents, the conversations begin.
What will his legacy be? How will he be remembered? Some express
concern that the President is more concerned about legacy than
serving the American people. Others try to make instant assess-
ments despite the fact that historians claim it takes several decades
for a President’s true legacy to be clear.
For a Christian, a legacy can and should be a life well-lived for
Christ and a positive, eternal influence on a future generation for
good, for God’s glory and their benefit. After twelve sessions of
Bible study about healthy relationships, this final lesson provides
an opportunity for reflection. How are you doing at loving God
and loving others? What mark will you leave on future genera-
tions?
After you have read the Background and Focal Passages, studied
the Venture In Travelogue (pp. 129-138) and responded to the ques-
tions, focus especially on the first two Travelogue questions (p. 130):
If you wrote your own obituary, what would it say? How would
you be remembered?
You may want to begin this session with a brief review of the
lesson topics of this entire series. Also you could offer an oppor-
tunity for adults to identify the most meaningful lesson they have
learned about godly relationships.
Keep in the forefront of your mind as you plan that this lesson
should lead adults to praise God for His love and faithfulness, evalu-
ate their life in light of the legacy they are creating, determine what
they need to change, and identify mentors they need to thank for
investing in them.
TEACHING SUGGESTIONS
READING YOUR OWN OBITUARY
Call on adults to identify things at earlier points in their lives that
they focused on in the hope these would constitute their legacy.
(Obviously responses will vary depending on the age of your group.)
Record responses on the marker board or a tear sheet. Call on
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volunteers to identify what has changed through the years about
what their legacy should be. Point out that many younger people are
more concerned about success in the workplace and other endeav-
ors. While these may continue to be important, as people grow
older, the focus sometimes shifts more toward relationships with
God and others.
Ask for responses to the lesson introduction about Alfred Nobel
(Travelogue, pp. 129-130). Ask: Did this topic make you uncom-
fortable? Reflective? Regretful? Something else?
Emphasize the desired outcome of this lesson is to help all
believers consider how they can leave a godly legacy that will
impact future generations (see p. 94).
Point out the final question of this section (Travelogue, p. 130):
If you had the chance to reflect on the legacy you would leave
behind, what would change in your life right now? Urge adults
to consider this question throughout the session. Point out the value
of this type of periodic reflection as adults consider what God wants
our legacy to be.
MAKING MUCH OF HEAVEN
Call for comments to this observation: Young adults as a whole
tend to have less interest in thinking or talking about heaven
because, even as Christians, they view death and heaven as
something in the distant future. However, as they grow older
heaven often becomes a greater subject of interest. Some
explain the change by saying something like, “I now know
more people in heaven than on earth!”
Call attention to the saying mentioned in the Travelogue (p.
130): He’s so heavenly minded that he’s no earthly good. Ask
volunteers to describe what the saying means to them.
Enlist a volunteer to read aloud the quote by C.S Lewis (p.
130). Direct adults to read the final sentence of the quote silently.
Ask: What’s your reaction to that statement? What words and
actions by brothers and sisters in Christ illustrate living in
light of eternity? Discuss.
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I THANK GOD FOR . . .
Lecture briefly on Paul’s purpose in writing 2 Timothy and the ad-
vice he gave his beloved son in the ministry. In addition to insights
from the Travelogue (pp. 131-132), draw from an online or hard copy
study Bible, commentary, or Bible handbook. Comment that Paul
also thanked God for the spiritual influences evident in Timothy’s
life that illustrated Timothy’s focus on the eternal.
Enlist a volunteer to read aloud the Focal Passage, 2 Timothy
1:3-7. Point out that the rest of the lesson explores four qualities
Paul saw in Timothy: 1) spiritual heritage, 2) spiritual mentors and
friends in the gospel, 3) spiritual gifts and calling, and 4) spiritual
discipline.
. . . SPIRITUAL HERITAGE
Ask adults to read silently 2 Timothy 1:3-5 and underline words and
phrases where Paul described his own spiritual heritage and that of
Timothy. Note that Paul used the word sincere to describe both his
and Timothy’s faith. Ask adults to underline “unhypocritical” in the
Travelogue (p. 132) to describe sincere faith. Discuss the importance
of faith that is sincere.
Ask: What was the origin of Paul’s spiritual heritage and
how did it enable him to serve God? Call for responses. If not
mentioned, point out that even though Paul had opposed Jesus prior
to his conversion, he also recognized that he had fulfilled his Jewish
heritage by becoming a follower and apostle of Jesus.
Ask: What was the origin of Timothy’s spiritual heritage
and how did it enable him to serve God? Discuss. Ask: How was
Paul influencing Timothy to contribute to the spiritual heri-
tage of those with whom he ministered?
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. . . SPIRITUAL MENTORS AND FRIENDS IN THE GOSPEL
Enlist a volunteer to read aloud 2 Timothy 1:2, Paul’s description
of Timothy. Ask: How did Paul’s investment in Timothy as his
spiritual son benefit Timothy and his ministry?
Emphasize that most believers can point to spiritual mentors
who have guided them in spiritual growth. These may be parents,
teachers, friends and others. Call on volunteers to identify some-
one who has mentored them spiritually and the specific ways they
have benefitted. After several have responded, challenge adults to
thank God for these mentors and friends and to tangibly express
their gratitude to these mentors this week. For those mentors who
are alive, urge adults to write or call them to express gratitude for
their investment. For mentors who are deceased, suggest expressing
appreciation to one of their family members.
Ask group members to write in the Travelogue (p. 134) the
name of someone they have mentored or could mentor spiritually.
Urge them to consider building or strengthening their relationship
with this person.
. . . SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND CALLING
Call on a volunteer to read 2 Timothy 1:6. Ask: What did Paul
mean by urging Timothy to keep ablaze the gift of God that
is in you? Point out that the laying on of my hands likely
referred to Timothy’s ordination, an important event in his spiritual
journey. Call attention to the suggestion in Travelogue (p. 135) to
write down some of the milestone moments on your faith
journey. Call on volunteers to describe a milestone moment and
how it is an important part of their spiritual legacy.
Lead the class to brainstorm actions believers can take to help
someone keep ablaze the gift of God. Record on the marker board
or a tear sheet. If not mentioned, include that small things such as
affirming someone for using a God-given gift can be a great source
of encouragement.
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Challenge adults to put themselves in Timothy’s skin. Ask: How
might Paul’s letter and overall mentorship of Timothy have
impacted his ministry?
. . . SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
Ask adults to read 2 Timothy 1:7 from the Travelogue (p. 135)
and underline the qualities Paul listed as important for Timothy’s
continuing spiritual growth. Point out that the word fearfulness
as Paul used it here was sometimes used to describe a soldier who,
rather than going boldly into battle, ran away as a coward. Ask:
How do believers lay aside fear that is not from God to choose
power, love, and sound judgment that is readily available from
God? How did Paul display these God-given traits in his life
and ministry?
Display the following statement from the Travelogue (p. 136):
God’s grace is always at work in our lives, but we’re called to
respond with the grit of faithfulness and obedience. Ask: How
does responding to God with faith and obedience enable a
believer to gain power, love, and sound judgment?
TELL THE COMING GENERATION
Lecture briefly on the imperative of telling the next generation
about Jesus. Call on volunteers to read aloud Psalm 78:4 and the
Memory Verses for this session, Psalm 78:6b-7. Pose these questions
for individual reflection.
• How much do your children and grandchildren know about
the story of how you became a Christian?
• What do you know about the faith of earlier generations of
your family?
• Do you know about the lives of those in your own family who
have been on mission trips, led someone to Christ, ministered
in the name of Jesus in your community, or served on a church
staff?
Refer to the quote from George Santayana in the Travelogue
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(p. 136): Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to
repeat it. Ask: What does this statement tell us about our role
in telling the next generation about Jesus?
Point out that everyone must be a steward of their experiences,
including spiritual milestones. Ask: Why is it easier for some
people to give their Christian testimony to someone they
barely know than to tell family members and friends?
Briefly review the bulleted suggestions of actions adults could
take to share their legacy of faith with family and friends. Challenge
them to tell their story through writing, photos, audio or video
recording, art, or other means and keep alive their legacy in future
generations.
Read aloud Isaiah 61:3c: And they will be called righ-
teous trees, planted by the Lord to glorify Him.
Comment that the writer used the word picture of a strong tree to
describe spiritual maturity (Travelogue, p. 137). Lead them to iden-
tify characteristics of a strong tree that could be applied to spiritual
maturity. Record on the marker board or a tear sheet.
Point out from the Travelogue the writer’s comment that, when
he is asked to preach a funeral, the family wants those who attend
to know most of all the person’s spiritual journey, the love shown to
others, and the legacy left to a future generation (p. 138).
CONCLUSION
Ask adults to write the name of someone they know who needs
to hear God’s story at the end of this Travelogue lesson (p. 138).
Ask adults to go to the marker board or a tear sheet and write the
first name of the person they identified. Then direct adults to pray
silently for the person whose name they placed in front of the
group.
Ask: What legacy will you leave for future generations?
Allow time for personal reflection. Challenge adults to daily practice
the truth that they were made for relationships—with God and with
others. Urge them to choose daily to love God and others intention-
ally through their words and actions.
Close with a time of prayer, praising God for loving and saving
them and asking for power, love, and sound judgment to live in
relationship and leave a legacy for the next generation.
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FOLLOW THROUGH
• Send group members the list of first names identified during
the session. Urge them to pray daily for these people who need
to hear God’s story.
• Also thank each person for sharing in the group. Challenge
them to follow through with telling their own story in a way
that could be available now and for a future generation.
• Thank God for the privilege of leading this group.