Entrusted Session 2 - Purpose and Grace

 May 1, 2022

In this session, Beth used the context of 2 Timothy to teach us about the relationship between Paul and Timothy and to "guard the deposit that was entrusted to you," which is the gospel of Jesus Christ along with the gifts given by the Holy Spirit. 

The goal: Mighty servants of God turned loose on this globe to fulfill our callings in the great name of Jesus. 

How can we achieve this? 

    * We do what we are called to do

When we are connected, we become more effective. In our generational connectedness (elder/younger women), we must remember that "older sisters" should not hover over "younger sisters" so they can't complete their calling. 

With generational connectedness, we give others the freedom to be who they are and to learn and grow at their own pace. It also depends on our relationship with younger women and how much guidance we can provide in their life. A spiritual relationship is key. 

As Paul and Timothy were generationally connected in a healthy relationship, we can do the same as Christians. 

Timothy and Paul's relationship merges in 1 Timothy. He leaves Timothy in Ephesus to shepherd the church. 

    

In this session, Beth identified three books in the New Testament that comprise the "Pastoral Epistles:"

• I Timothy
• 2 Timothy
• Titus

These were young men that Paul left in charge to shepherd the early congregation of believers. Paul is stressing through these letters that "this is the way to pastor this church, the way to raise them up." 

In 1 Timothy 3:14-15, Paul writes to Timothy, who is probably in his early to mid-30s (I Timothy 4:12), about the way a believer ought to behave in "God's household." In 2 Timothy, Beth points out how more personal language is directed toward Timothy in 2 Timothy than in 1 Timothy and Titus. 

Paul served as a mentor to both Timothy and Titus, nurturing them along. 

In 1 Timothy 1: 1-19, the phrase "my true child of the faith" and key words entrusted and entrust are used to guide, nurture and motivate Timothy and Titus. 

The word in verse 11 used for /entrust/ or /entrusted/ is the same Greek word that translates for us "Faith" (pistis). 

God is saying this to us: 

"Can I trust you with what I've called you to?"

There are two things that been entrusted to us as was entrusted to Timothy" 

• The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
• And the gifting God has given us to share

We are to share the story correctly: 

• What he came for
• What he fulfilled
• What he has done for us
• What a difference that makes for us

We must pass this down correctly and soundly.

We personalized this phrase from 1 Timothy 6:20:

Oh ______(your name), guard the deposit entrusted to you! 

Notice that we do the guarding. 

In 2 Timothy 1: 12-14, the word entrusted in this passage is a different Greek word than in 1 Timothy which is "Phylasso" - guard and protect. 

Beth makes two points about this 

1. We don't effectively guard what we don't highly esteem.

2. If we can't stand to be questioned, we will be too childish to stand guard.

Younger women, you must keep the charge entrusted to you because the older women will be gone. What is that charge? to teach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ exactly as it is with the giftings given to you. 

The word "charge" means to declare, to tell, to give the charge like a military man would do to those under him. Nine times in these two letters to Timothy, Paul says to him "I charge you." 

As Beth ends this session, she reminds us "until you have the opportunity to do what you are called to do, just do what you are needed to do. 

Next: Session 3 "Strong in the Grace"