NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the MasterWork curriculum.
Bible Passages: 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Discussion Questions:
- Have you ever picked fruit from a tree or bush? Did you wonder whether or not you were picking fruit that was too green or too ripe? How did you know?
- What would cause a fruit tree to bear no fruit?
- Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Consider your everyday interactions and the people in them. Which of the characteristics in these verses describe the people in your world?
Food for thought by Dianne Jago*
If you plant an apple tree, you will get? Apples! If you plant an orange tree, you will get? Oranges! If you plant a lemon tree, you will get? Avocadoes? Of course an apple tree will produce apples. We know this because a tree is known by its fruit. The question is: Do we bear fruit?
As I look back at my life, I see a lot of what Scripture calls “works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19). I allowed my circumstances and my emotions to dictate my moods, outlook on life and actions. Scripture says hard times will come in the last days because people will be lovers of self, lovers of money and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. (2 Timothy 3:1–5).
We live in a culture where these vices are not only common, but accepted and sometimes even praised. Worldly thinking is a result of fleshly living. But guess what. Worldly thinking isn’t just found in external places like motivational quotes and magazines. It is found within you and within me. Daily, there are ongoing battles between our flesh and spirit waging war within us. We do the things we shouldn’t do, and we don’t do the things we should. We cry out in frustration as did Paul, “What a wretched man I am!” (Romans 7:24).
The problem of sin within us is real because we battle two natures: the old nature that was passed to us from Adam and the new nature given to us by the Spirit. Our old nature rises up within and manifests itself within us in different ways. Galatians 5:19-21 provides a list of these fleshly habits. In contrast to works of the flesh, Galatians 5 continues with the fruit of the Spirit.
As opposed to hatred, the Christian bears the fruit of love. The Christian isn’t anxious but is at peace. Becoming spiritually mature and bearing much fruit doesn’t happen instantly and effortlessly. Works of the flesh may easily take root in our lives if we allow them to. We Christians will make mistakes. But ultimately, we should not have a consistent pattern of sin in our lives.
*Dianne Jago is an author and mother married to Lead Pastor Ethan Jago of 5 Bridges Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in Panama City Beach, Fla.
MasterWork
MasterWork is an ongoing Bible study curriculum based on works from a variety of renowned authors and offers pertinent, practical messages that adults will find uplifting and enriching. The list of authors and their books to be studied in upcoming months can be found at Lifeway.com/masterwork.
Related posts:
Pope critiques Lord’s Prayer translation 
LifeWay celebrates new headquarters in Nashville 
FIRST-PERSON: What to say after tragedy 
FIRST-PERSON: What the Bible is & why it matters 
Half of pastors support Trump, but many are hesitant to share preference 
Main Event examines what it means to ‘be a man’ 
LifeWay trustees approve new division, elect vice president for technology 
Bible Study: God’s sovereignty helps us forgive one another
