Like Jesus, the apostle Paul was a great illustrator. He used these illustrations to help us understand spiritual truths. In 2 Timothy 2:1-7 we see Paul demonstrate this ability when depicting what a “disciple of Christ” is likened to. In roughly seven verses Paul gives us four different illustrations to help us grasp the concept of disciple. (SLIDE)

In other words Paul takes Timothy to “Discipleship Class.”

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” 2 T I M O T H Y 2 : 1 - 7

TEACHER

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Like Paul says here we need to be about the business of teaching others the gospel. In verse 2 we see the phrase “faithful men.” (SLIDE) The Greek word for men there means “mankind” thus we are to entrust the Word of God i.e. teach it to faithful people who will do the same. If you are a disciple of Christ this characterizes you. Who have you taught and equipped lately that will be able to “teach others?” If you have not been entrusting God’s Word to others you are not only not a disciple of Christ but unskilled in the Word. (SLIDE) 2 T I M O T H Y 2 : 1 - 2

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Like Paul says here we need to be about the business of teaching others the gospel. In verse 2 we see the phrase “faithful men.” (SLIDE) The Greek word for men there means “mankind” thus we are to entrust the Word of God i.e. teach it to faithful people who will do the same. If you are a disciple of Christ this characterizes you. Who have you taught and equipped lately that will be able to “teach others?” If you have not been entrusting God’s Word to others you are not only not a disciple of Christ but unskilled in the Word. (SLIDE) 2 T I M O T H Y 2 : 1 - 2

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.” H E B R E W S 5 : 1 2 - 1 3

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.” H E B R E W S 5 : 1 2 - 1 3

SOLDIER

“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” A good soldier will at some point endure hardships or sufferings. Whether it’s as bad as being a POW or as simple as missing their family all soldiers will endure sufferings at some point in their service. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is no different. God has guaranteed that His children, Christ’s disciples, will suffer persecution. (SLIDE) 2 T I M O T H Y 2 : 3 - 4

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” 2 T I M O T H Y 3 : 1 2

ATHLETE

“An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” The reality is athletes are expect to compete according to the rules. How disappointing is it to find out those athletes you enjoyed watching were found to be cheaters!!! To be a disciple of Christ we too must compete according to the rules. The rules are laid bear in the Scriptures for everyone (John 12:48; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 9:21). 2 T I M O T H Y 2 : 5

“The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” To be a disciple of Christ we too must compete according to the rules. The rules are laid bear in the Scriptures for everyone (John 12:48; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 9:21). J O H N 1 2 : 4 8

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” To be a disciple of Christ we too must compete according to the rules. The rules are laid bear in the Scriptures for everyone (John 12:48; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 9:21; Galatians 6:2). 2 T I M O T H Y 3 : 1 6 - 1 7

FARMER

“It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.” Look again at the description of the farmer…(SLIDE) 2 T I M O T H Y 2 : 6

“It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.” Look again at the description of the farmer…(SLIDE) There’s plowing, planting, watering, weeding, harvesting… When it comes to being a disciple of our Lord we too are to have this characteristic. Do people associate “hardworking” Christian with us? Remember this isn’t physical labor now we are talking about. Do people associate you with being a hard worker for God in these areas… Studying the Scriptures - 2 Timothy 2:15 Edification - Romans 15:2 Benevolence - Galatians 6:9-10 Evangelism - Matthew 5:14-16 2 T I M O T H Y 2 : 6

Brothers and sisters let us learn at the feet of the great apostle Paul in his “Discipleship Class.” Let this class of God’s make us better disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

This lesson was taken and adapted from Steve Higginbotham’s sermon titled “To What Shall We Liken A Disciple?”1 1. http://preachinghelp.org/sermons/2016/To%20What%20Shall%20We%20Liken%20A%20Disciple.pdf