2 Timothy || Session 2: Themes

This week, Laura invites us to look at Paul’s letter from a bird’s eye view. She takes us through six prominent themes in 2 Timothy: remembering, teaching, suffering & shame, “in you,” confidence, and “be strengthened.” These themes overlap and connect throughout Paul’s letter as he entrusts his ministry to Timothy before he is martyred.

Teaching spreads the “euangelion” (gospel) and also helps us remember who God is and who we are. When we remember who God is and the shame He has taken from us, we can have confidence and trust He is faithful. A faithful God will certainly complete His work in us and go before us in suffering. And through all of this, Paul reminds his beloved Timothy of one main truth: God calls His children to hard and holy work, and He strengthens us to do it. Like Timothy, we will face setbacks, suffering, and sin in this broken world, but we can move steadily forward to proclaim the good news because of the strength He has put inside of us with His Spirit.

To find many of the resources mentioned throughout the lecture, be sure to check out the 2 Timothy Companion Guide and the 2 Timothy Week 1 Resource Page.

If you prefer to watch the video for Session One, you can view it here.

Laura Swain longs to live in a world where every woman lives free of shame in her identity as a daughter of God. She’s a wife, children’s lit enthusiast, and homeschool mom of four. It’s hard for her to choose just one favorite scripture, but she loves Isaiah 52:6 when Yahweh says: “Therefore my people will know my name; therefore they will know on that day that I am he who says: Here I am.”

Time Stamps:

02:29 Introduction: A high and holy calling

06:59 Why study themes?

09:22 Theme 1: Remembering

17:33 Theme 2: Teaching

23:41 Theme 3: Suffering & Shame

34:13 Theme 4: In You

38:20 Theme 5: Confidence

42:35 Theme 6: Be Strengthened

47:29 Conclusion

51:47 Preparing for Week 3

Laura references the following Scripture in Session One: