Equipped by Scripture

We grow when the Word of Christ dwells richly among us. God’s word is the ultimate tool for equipping. Timothy lived in a time of deception, division, false teaching, and cultural pressure. And Paul, nearing his death, points Timothy to the one thing that would outlast every challenge: Scripture. In this lesson, we want you to see why the Scriptures are God’s primary tool for equipping — and what that means for this congregation as we move forward in the coming year.

1. Scripture Shapes Who We Become (3:14-15)

   1. 2 Timothy 3:14: But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed.

      1. Where is Timothy told to anchor himself? What he has learned from the Scriptures.

      2. Timothy’s life had been shaped: slowly, steadily, and faithfully, by the word of God.

   2. Scripture is formational, not merely informational

      1. 2 Timothy 3:15: (The Scriptures) …are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

   3. Before God uses us, He shapes us.

      1. Is the Word of God actively shaping who I am becoming?

2. Scripture is God-Breathed and God-Powered (3:16)

   1. 2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is inspired by God …

      1. Literally: “God-breathed.”

   2. Scripture carries God’s authority.

      1. 2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is inspired by God …

      2. If God is the source, then God is the authority.

   3. God’s Word does God’s work.

      1. 2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture … is profitable …,

         1. “useful, effective, active.”

      2. 4 ways Scripture does its work:

         1. 2 Timothy 3:16: for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,

         2. Every one of these requires humility. If Scripture is God-breathed, then we don’t stand over it - we stand under it.

3. Scripture Fully Equips Us for Every Good Work (3:17)

   1. 2 Timothy 3:17: so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

      1. Mature, not lacking

      2. Not perfection, but wholeness, or readiness.

   2. 2 Timothy 3:17: so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

      1. Described: fully outfitting a soldier; preparing a worker with the right tools; furnishing something so that nothing essential is missing.

      2. Scripture gives us: what to believe; how to live, serve, correct, endure, and love.

   3. 2 Timothy 3:17: so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

      1. Every act of encouragement, service, prayer, and speech spoken in love.

      2. Equipping means readiness for obedience.

4. As We Close

   1. What work is He preparing me for next?

   2. What does this look like practically:

      1. Everyone committed to word-shaped growth

      2. Use the tools God is providing you.

      3. Everyone moving from knowledge to ministry.

   3. What place does the word have in your life? Place yourself where Scripture can do its work.