1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Tim 3:1-7
Q & A：
- Have you been confused or stumbled by some Christians’ mismatching actions or behaviors? Discuss the outcome and effect when we treat Christianity as a religion, which teaches us to be good through a set of rules and laws from the outside in; and when we are just acquiring knowledge but not living it out, being legalistic in our ways and having a form of religion (godliness) but no true relationship with God. (2 Tim 3:5-7)
- Discuss how we are to walk in victory and reign in life from the inside out being a new creation in Christ by referring to the divine power that is within us and available to us, and Christ’s redemption reality that sets us free from being slaves of sin to slaves of righteousness for holiness. (2 Cor 5:17; Eph 2:1-2; 2 Pet 1:3-4; Rom 8:2, 11; Rom 6:16-19)
- What sets you as a Christian apart from this fallen world, where men become lovers of themselves, money, pleasure rather than lovers of God, by explaining the choice you make to allow and not deny the power within you for your lives and lifestyles to be transformed and your mind to be renewed? (2 Tim 3:1-5; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 5:17)