The last words of someone’s life are the most memorable. Of all the things Paul taught and all the letters he wrote, 2 Timothy was his final letter. Let’s take a brief introduction to 2 Timothy.
First, live a holy life in a fallen world. Second, teach others how to live a holy life.
In organizations, people will always come and go. Therefore, to remain viable, an organization must develop a pipeline of potential leaders.
John Maxwell describes the importance of looking for potential leaders in his book, Developing the Leaders Around You
Photo Credit: Robert Sullivan
To develop this pipeline, one must identify potential leaders with both prerequisite qualities and prerequisite skills.
Some people are happy with their current job responsibilities and do not want to stretch into new roles. This means that some people will not want to be developed into leaders. Maxwell’s summary is relevant:
“Nurture all of your people, equip many. But develop only a few—the few who are ready and willing.”[ref]Ibid.[/ref]
Below are descriptions of the prerequisite qualities for potential leaders that should not just be nurtured or equipped, but also developed.
To develop leaders, there must be buy-in from all levels of the organization. From the board of directors or elders down to the administrative support staff, everyone needs to believe in the importance of developing leaders. Besides support from people, there needs to be support from the systems and culture of the organization.
Photo Credit: Robert Sullivan
To develop leaders in nonprofit organizations, Tom Adams says, “Top leadership commitment is the place to start.”[ref]Tom Adams, The Nonprofit Leadership Transition and Development Guide
Church life is messy. Anyone who has worked in a church or served as a volunteer knows things don’t run smoothly.
One of Paul’s closest friends was Timothy. Later in Paul’s life he writes a brief “manual” about how this young church leader, Timothy, should conduct himself and lead the church. Let’s dive into this vibrant letter written to Timothy, to your church, and to my church.
Paul tells Timothy how rich and poor, leaders and slaves, and widows and couples should conduct themselves in the church community.
Nonprofit organizations and churches are often understaffed and underfunded, resulting in over-worked mid-level managers. Most nonprofit managers and church pastors face the challenge of running a program, managing staff, providing monthly board reports, helping with various fundraising responsibilities, and last but not least, developing leaders within their staff. Sadly, all of the challenges nonprofit leaders face often prevent leadership development
Photo Credit: Robert Sullivan
While developing leaders can yield the highest outcomes for employee productivity and improvement in the community, this area often gets put aside amongst other pressures because it does not provide immediate results. Investing in leadership development, whether financially or timely, “can feel like a luxury compared with investing in needs at the heart of a nonprofit charitable purpose, but failure to invest in leadership, as well as services, puts the entire mission at risk.”[ref]Kirk Kramer and Preeta Nayak, “A 5-Point Plan for Grooming Future Leaders,” Chronicle of Philanthropy 24, no. 14, June 28, 2012. Accessed May 14, 2015.[/ref] Investments in leadership development for nonprofit and church staff must be made.
Ruth is a book about love and loyalty to our Father in heaven and our family on earth. It is one of the best books for a new small group to study because it gives an overview of the Old Testament history as well as points to our Savior Jesus Christ. Here are some of my notes for a brief introduction of Ruth.
When you work for God, God works for you.
“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. . . When you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”
(Matthew 25:35, 40, NLT)
Providing meals to someone going through difficult times is one of the best ways that Christians can love one another. Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35, NLT). Organizing, cooking, and delivering meals for people going through difficult times is an important element of every small group. Meals can be organized for a specific member of the group, a family member of someone in your group, or even a friend that might not have a connection to your church or any church at all. There are three basic steps for showing love through meals: organize, cook, and deliver.
The big idea (and themes) of 2 Thessalonians is similar to Paul’s first letter to the Christians in the city of Thessalonica. But 2 Thessalonians provides some much needed clarification on a few topics. Here are some of my notes on the book as well as a chart I created for the book. Blessings on you as you study Paul’s second letter to the Christians in the city of Thessalonica. 
The Christian life consists of studying God’s Word, enduring suffering now, while also looking to the future return of Christ.
With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter. (2 Thessalonians 2:15, NLT)
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers[ref]Greek from every brother.[/ref] who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received[ref]Some manuscripts read you received.[/ref] from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6, NLT)
A guy was wrestling with a question that had troubled him for years.
“Can a person lose his salvation?”
The question came up when I was recently visiting his men’s Bible study. He explained a scenario to me:
“Christopher, right now you are saved and you are a Christian. You serve the Lord faithfully and are a man of God. However, let’s say that something drastic happens in your life and you walk away from God and your faith. Furthermore, you not only walk away from God but you become an active worshipper of Satan. If you start to worship Satan and have walked away from God, are you still saved?“
The men’s group shared that they often struggle with that same question. If I am saved can I lose my salvation? How do I know I’m saved?
And to be honest, as a pastor I also struggle with this question.
In this post I want to explain two main topics: eternal security and assurance. First, let’s define those terms briefly and then, second look at what Scripture says.
Photo Credit: Finn Terman
Eternal security is the biblical fact that once you are saved you cannot lose your salvation. Assurance is the feeling of comfort you experience because you are certain you cannot lose your salvation.
Paul’s first letter written to the believers in Thessalonica, called 1 Thessalonians, is a rich and encouraging letter. Here is a brief chart and introduction notes on the book. Blessings to you as you study this fantastic book!
Christians should live God-honoring lives now because Jesus could return at any moment.