Recommended Reading for June 8 – 14
Sermon Series: Stronger Together Week 6Sermon Title: Paul and Timothy: A Friend Raises You Up and Raises the Bar delivered on June 8, 2025
Day 1 READ: Acts 16. What were some of the group's hardships that Timothy both experienced and witnessed on his first missionary trip? How does this help remind you of the high cost of following Jesus and sharing the gospel on His behalf?
Day 1 PRAY: Take a moment to pause and pray, thanking Jesus for calling you His Friend and Follower. Ask Him to show you a friendship where you need to share His story more boldly. Invite the Holy Spirit to give you the wisdom to make a plan to meet and the words to speak to your friend.
Day 2 READ: 1 Thessalonians 3. How does Paul’s sending Timothy back to Thessalonica speak to the trust and confidence Paul had developed in his young protege? Who has helped encourage you and entrusted you with greater responsibilities in serving Jesus? How did that inspire you?
Day 2 PRAY: Take time to pray and thank Jesus for the spiritual mentors in your life. Thank Him for how they have challenged and encouraged you to grow spiritually and use your spiritual gifts. Ask Him to show you a simple way you could express appreciation to them today.
Day 3 READ: 1 Timothy 1. What are some common themes you find in Paul’s warning to Timothy? How does this remind you of the dangers in our current culture and the importance of knowing, following, and growing in God’s Word?
Day 3 PRAY: Find a quiet place or space to get alone with God. Thank Him for His Word and His Spirit, which guide, protect, and remind you of the truth of His Word. Invite Him to show you an area of your life that may be at risk of compromise. Commit to make whatever change is needed to stay close to God and His Word.
Day 4 READ: 1 Timothy 4. How does Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in this chapter show us the importance of sound doctrine and the teaching of God’s Word? What are some of the doctrinal issues that you see some churches have compromised?
Day 4 PRAY: Thank Jesus that He is truth, and His Word reflects His character and being. Invite Him to show you a friend who may be struggling with some of the truths in the Bible. Ask Jesus to give you the wisdom, words, and courage to share your insights with them this week.
Day 5 READ: 2 Timothy 2. How does Paul’s encouragement to take what he has taught to Timothy and pass it on give us a picture of our role in learning and passing on? How are you living this out in your life?
Day 5 PRAY: Thank Jesus for His church and the role of pastors, teachers, and leaders in your life. Ask Him who you could invest in and how you could more intentionally share His Word with someone younger than you. Invite Him to help open doors for you to better connect with that person this week.
Memorize and Reflect
1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
Life Challenge
- Take Steps to Deepen a Friendship with Someone with More Life Experience and Spiritual Maturity
- Partner with a Friend in Serving the Next Generation in a Tangible and Meaningful Way
- Plan an adventure with a close friend and commit to making it a “No Screen Zone.”
Series Challenge
Stronger Together Series Challenge:- Strengthen an Existing Friendship
- Reconnect with a Former Close Friend
- Make a New Friend