DAY 4: 2 TIMOTHY 4:1-5
NOTHING LIKE THE BASICS
Read 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
Have you ever felt like everything you believe about Christ and the Bible – all the various doctrines and outworkings of such – they don’t seem like they are going to last to the end of the century? Indeed, if statistics are accurate, the evangelical movement is losing ground fast. There are fewer adherents to mainstream evangelicalism today than the decade before. Trends don’t look good. Whether this was brought on by a failure to pass on the torch by the current or last generation or whether it is simply spiritual warfare gaining ground on God’s people is difficult to say. But when I read the passage today, I can’t help but see the truth in Paul’s words. Verse 3 says people will not endure sound doctrine, as if to say that doctrine must somehow be endured like a leaky faucet. People like the new stuff. We get so easily tired of the same old, same old. One thing I have learned in my short years on this earth is the same old is what is solid, firm, stable, and what will get us through this life and into the next. The fundamentals of the faith cannot be over-taught, over-worked, or over-emphasized. Time and again when I see people stumbling through life (and don’t we all), it almost always comes down to the fundamentals. “How is your walk with God going?” I’ll ask. Not surprising, there will be little time spent with God, and little prayer throughout the day. There may be a lack of Christian fellowship. Maybe a bad attitude or closed ears when it comes to teaching or preaching.
How about you? Have you found yourself wanting something more exciting, more interesting, easier on the mind? One of the greatest challenges we face in today’s fast-paced, competitive society is the discipline and the wisdom to simply sit still, read the Word of God, and get back to the basics of life.
Recently, I was talking with Pastor Glen about his recent vacation. “Did you bring any good books with you?” I asked, to which he responded that he had brought several books with him, but in the end, he decided to just read the Bible. I’ll take that as good advice and do the same on my next vacation.
To consider: We can spend our time reading many good books, but there is none more life-changing and interesting than the Bible. Take time to make reading it a regular part of your life.
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Questions for Home Groups
1) What kinds of things are “tickling the ears” of current Christians?
2) Do you ever feel like an old fogey with old beliefs that don’t seem to have any relevance today? If so, how do you deal with a culture that seems to look down upon such thinking?
3) Do you see the church in general being responsible for turning people away, or are people simply turned off to old ways of thinking? Explain.
4) Let’s be honest, reading the Bible can be difficult at times. What can be done to help inspire you to read it during those difficult times?
