Queen's Road Cell

 6. Paul also wants Timothy to draw strength from what he has "learned and...become convinced of" (3:14). What is the difference between what you have 'learned' and what you have become 'convinced of'? Selwyn asked, “what is faith?” Heb 11:1 seems like the textbook answer -“ the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”. The verse speaks of certainty in things we cannot see and things we hope for.  Heb 11 speaks of active response to that assurance . Heb 11:6 tells us we need faith to please God, because we need to believe in His existence and His action even though He is invisible. In seeking Him we are longing for the restoration of what was lost , and reconciliation. But seeking can be of God’s face (2 Chr 7:14, Ps 27:4) ,or His kingdom (Mt 6:33)  so all that we do and are must take into account His reality and the reward He gives when we look for His favour. We trust in His reality and His character. Faith also is a gift of God (Eph

 4. a) Why should Paul's goals, lifestyle, character and experiences strengthen Timothy? (3:10-11) Because he shows that the worst suffering is endurable, and at the end, is vindicated by God. Acts 14 tells us that Paul returned to the places where he suffered and nearly died. Ac 14:22 tells us that he did this to strengthen the new disciples, to encourage them and to model for them the truth that the Christian life involves suffering . His second visit was not to evangelise, but for the sake of his young churches   How was Paul able to be fearless and to retain authority despite his suffering? He was filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (Ac 13:52). He was an example of the truth  b) Has anyone served as this kind of example for you? If so, how has that person strengthened  your service in God? c) Are you, or could you, model the Christian life for someone as Paul did for Timothy? If so, for whom and how? Winnie shared how important it was to have teaching in church authenticated by

  Today Winnie led us in the study! Happy birthday, Ms Winnie! 1. Paul makes a series of "but" and "however" statements in 3:9-15. For instance, wicked men will try to cause trouble (3:1-3) but God will frustrate their aims (3:9). He goes on to contrast Timothy with the wicked men. What does Paul say? But you (you however) (v.10-11). Timothy ha s followed Paul's example, unlike the wicked men of vv. 1-9. Paul has shown this by his teaching, conduct, aim in life, faith, patience, love, steadfastness and persecutions and sufferings.vv. 10-17 shift the focus from the godless of v.1-9 to Paul’s example.  Paul teaches that God rescues us from all our persecutions, while persecution is expected by all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus. Persecution is a hostile rejection of the gospel . In Antioch,  Paul was driven away from town (Ac 13). In Iconium (Ac 14:1-5) Paul was threatened with stoning, and at Lystra (Timothy's home town, Ac 16:1-2) Paul was