JUNE 15, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
Unashamed: Take Advantage of the Opportunity
2 Timothy 1:1-12
As you launch this week's study, read Romans 1:16-17. Paul said that he wasn't ashamed of the gospel. What did that statement mean for Paul, and what does that theological conviction mean for you?
Take a moment to reflect on your life's most vital areas. How are your family relationships truly flourishing? Is your retirement account charting a course toward security? Are you genuinely nurturing your health—physically, relationally, financially, mentally, and spiritually? And, perhaps most profoundly, are you actively mentoring another person in the Christian faith?
To genuinely answer these questions, investment is not just suggested; it's required. You pour your time and energy into your family, diligently save for your future, and commit to your well-being. You also invest in the lives of other people. But amidst all this giving, a crucial question emerges: Who is investing in you?
Consider the Apostle Paul, a man who deeply understood the power of investment. He wasn't just dedicated; he was unashamed—unashamed of his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Are you living that same unashamed witness for the Lord? Do those around you—your family, colleagues, classmates, and friends—see your love for and commitment to Jesus? Are you, like Paul, intentionally investing time in the lives of others, unashamed to align yourself with God's people and fulfill His purposes? Paul famously poured his life into young Timothy, building a bond where neither was ashamed of the other. Do you have spiritual relationships built on that same powerful conviction of being unashamed?
As a spiritual father, what did Paul want Timothy to know and do? If you have children, what do you want them to know and do? Are you living an unashamed life for Jesus before them?
1. Maintain God's Outlook on Life (2 Timothy 1:1-5). Paul labored to build up Timothy. While many people are quick to expose weaknesses, mistakes, faults, and sins, Paul's outlook on life, in contrast, was consistently half-full-always seeing the potential for growth and redemption. How do you maintain God's outlook on life, as it relates to His will, spiritual discipleship, and family relationships?
2. Discover God's Expectations in Life (2 Timothy 1:6-10). Paul, through his mentorship and teachings, shared God's expectations with Timothy. Employers, coaches, and parents must share expectations with others to achieve success and unity. What does the Bible teach about God's gifts, God's provisions, and God's grace? Can you name several practical and spiritual expectations with your group?
3. Keep God's Perspective on Life (2 Timothy 1:11-12). Paul called Timothy to live God's way. Paul said he was appointed to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher. What do those titles mean? How would you describe the Christian life? Take a moment and list three relevant statements about living God's way. Timothy was to obey God's leadership and remain faithful to Him.
As you celebrate Father's Day, commit to live unashamed of the gospel and invest spiritually in the lives of other people. God wants to use you.
Here are three final questions for your group to discuss:
1. How does being invested in by others (or the lack thereof) affect your ability to live out an "unashamed witness" for Jesus
2. In what specific, practical ways can you apply this "half-full" perspective to your daily interactions, especially within your family, workplace, or church?
3. What is one specific expectation you feel God has for you right now, and how will understanding that expectation guide your beliefs and behaviors this week?
May the Lord bless you and your family this Father's Day weekend! We'll see you soon in Bible study and worship.
View all of the "Unashamed" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/unashamed.
JUNE 22, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
Unashamed: Go the Extra Mile
2 Timothy 1:13-18
What is it costing you to follow and serve Jesus? Are you putting the needs of other people before your own? Healthy relationships require perseverance, trust, and sacrifice.
In 2 Timothy 1:13-18, Paul gave his son in the faith fatherly advice. He spoke inspired and wise words. Paul wanted Timothy to know that relationships often mean that you go the extra mile. Following Jesus will cost you. Loving people comes with a price (time, comfort, personal desires, popularity).
When was the last time another person went the extra mile and encouraged (refreshed) you? When was the last time you did that for another person?
How do you encourage someone? Talk about these five words:
1. Listen (What is the person saying?)
2. Affirm (What did the person do well?)
3. Celebrate (What is a win?)
4. Ask (What needs to be clarified?)
5. Presence (Who needs you to be in the room?)
What did Paul teach Timothy?
1. Make a Safe Investment (2 Timothy 1:13-14). What's a safe investment these days? Stocks? Real estate? Antiques? Paul used investment language with Timothy. Timothy's life was blessed by the Lord. How has the Lord blessed you? These blessings often come through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, a topic Paul also emphasized. Take a minute and discuss these two questions:
What is the role and function of the Holy Spirit?
When does a believer receive His Spirit?
2. Prepare for Tough Days (2 Timothy 1:15). Is life hard for you currently? Paul shared that people in Asia deserted him. He called out two of them by name. People whom Paul thought he could trust walked away from him. Many people want to avoid the hard conversations about ministry. Serving the Lord is rewarding on the one hand and demanding on the other hand. How do you answer these questions?
What do you do when ministry becomes tough?
How do you deal with abandonment and betrayal in close relationships?
3. Commit to Encourage Others (2 Timothy 1:16-18). Are you in desperate need of being encouraged (refreshed)? At a dark hour in life, Paul needed a friend, an encourager. He needed someone loyal. What do you know about Onesiphorus? He was loyal, trustworthy, and a man of character. Onesiphorus went the extra mile for Paul. Here are two questions to consider:
Who is "Onesiphorus" in your life?
What difference does encouragement make in life and ministry?
As you evaluate your current relationships, who needs you to go the extra mile with them? God uses other people to make a difference in our lives. God wants to use you.
We hope you'll join us for Bible study and worship on Sunday. We're praying for you. Have a blessed weekend.
View all of the "Unashamed" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/unashamed.
JUNE 29, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
Unashamed: It’s Important to Pass the Baton
2 Timothy 2:1-13
Have you ever experienced the thrill and coordination of a relay race? Success in a relay race depends on more than speed. Runners must be skilled at handing off the baton. Drop the baton, and it's almost guaranteed that you'll lose the race.
In many ways, your spiritual journey is like running a spiritual relay race. As a member of God's family, your life is spiritually connected with other believers. These men and women are your teammates-they help you grow in Christ, provide needed accountability, and encourage you to give you all in the race.
As you run your leg of the spiritual relay, consider these important questions:
Who is running alongside you?
Are you prepared to pass the baton effectively to the next generation?
Are you raising up future runners to carry on the race?
Paul passed the divine baton to Timothy. He prepared him for pastoral ministry. Timothy was blessed to learn the ins and outs of ministry from Paul. Paul knew that his time on earth was short, and he was aware that the race continued when he departed for Heaven. Here's a lesson for Christian leaders: Are you leading and serving for the day when you're not in your current position? You need to be preparing to hand the baton to the next runner.
What is Paul saying/teaching about passing the baton?
1. Apply the Principles of Church Growth (2 Timothy 2:1-7). The Lord gave His life for the church and is actively building His church. Paul's life and letters reveal his heart to "pass the baton" to Timothy. While the Lord grows His church, He uses people to do it. It's biblical and healthy to involve other people in ministry. How do you see your church growing and equipping other people for ministry?
2. Strive to be a Contagious Believer (2 Timothy 2:8-9). Just as many diseases can spread rapidly, and we all vividly remember the days of COVID-19, our faith can also be powerfully contagious. Paul expected Timothy to live a life that naturally drew others to God, serving as the Lord's witness. What does it truly mean to live a contagiously Christian life? And is your church building bridges or barriers for those who are far from God?
3. Face Life with Spiritual Confidence (2 Timothy 2:10-13). We all face challenges, but how does life generally feel for you, easy or hard? Paul strongly reminded Timothy that following Christ often means embracing suffering. Consider Paul himself, imprisoned for his faith, even facing desertion. He emphasized the need to "endure." Are you prepared to take the spiritual road less traveled? Are you ready to suffer and persevere for the glory of God?
If you're going to "pass the baton" to the coming generation, you must talk about hard subjects. Paul was straightforward with Timothy. Take a moment and evaluate your current relationships. How are you preparing other people for the day when you're not in your current position? The time to prepare is now.
Here are three final questions for you and your group:
1. How does your church intentionally develop and mobilize new leaders, ensuring the "baton" is effectively passed to the next generation of faithful servants?
2. How is your church equipping people to live contagiously Christian lives? Do your leaders model this type of spiritual lifestyle?
3. How is the Lord growing you and using your challenges in life? Are you looking at life through the biblical lens of Romans 8:28?
We're praying for you! We're excited to worship with you this weekend!
View all of the "Unashamed" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/unashamed.
JULY 6, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
Guest Preacher: Josh Franks, TBMB Team Leader
Unashamed: Be Prepared to Give God Your Best
2 Timothy 2:14-26
View all of the "Unashamed" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/unashamed.
JULY 13, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
Unashamed: It’s All About Me!
2 Timothy 3:1-9
Do you believe in the imminent (soon) return of Jesus Christ? You may not know the actual day or hour. However, His coming is closer today than it was yesterday. Two personal questions to ponder in regards to Jesus's promised return:
Are you ready for His return?
Are you watching for His coming?
Are you confident that you have a personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ? If you do, praise the Lord for the assurance of salvation and Heaven. If you do not, please stop at this very moment and give your heart and life to Jesus Christ. Read and pray the following Bible verses:
John 3:16
Romans 3:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 6:23
Romans 10:9-10
Romans 10:13
Ephesians 2:8-9
1 John 5:13
It's important to watch for the glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ. How do you do this? You read God's Word, and you watch current events. Biblical prophecies are being fulfilled right before your eyes. The mission of your life is urgent because Jesus could return at any moment.
Paul wanted Timothy to be aware of what life would be like in the last days. If Timothy needed to know the reality of life in the end times, you need to know these truths, too.
1. Consider People's Behavior in the Last Days (2 Timothy 3:1-7). What's going to happen before Jesus comes again? Paul wanted Timothy to understand what life would be like in the end times. He didn't want his mentee to stick his head in the sand. Paul gave Timothy nineteen painful realities of life in the last days. In your group, open your Bibles to 2 Timothy 3:1-7. Can you identify Paul's nineteen descriptions? Read them aloud in your group.
Take the time to discuss the following questions:
1. What do the terms narcissism, materialism, and hedonism mean? How are these words revealed in Paul's list?
2. How do Paul's descriptions influence personal lives, family relationships, and church fellowships?
3. What is the biblical difference between religion and a relationship? How does a person go to Heaven? What does it mean to have the appearance of godliness, but to deny God's power?
Before moving forward in this week's study, pause and pray for each other, your families, and your church. God's grace and power are needed to survive the difficulty of the last days.
2. Live God's Way in the Last Days (2 Timothy 3:7-9). Paul instructed Timothy about what to believe, and he challenged him about how to behave. Timothy was to live differently from the world. Your beliefs and behaviors must match. A lost world needs to see the difference Jesus makes in your life.
Take the time to discuss the following questions:
1. Paul told Timothy to avoid certain people. What does it mean and look like for you to avoid certain people? Read and discuss 1 Corinthians 15:33.
2. Paul warned Timothy about false teachers who take advantage of people, especially women. Why is biblical discipleship important? Are you a serious student of God's Word? Do you know how to identify false teachers?
3. Paul assured Timothy that evil in the last days wouldn't win. Jesus is victorious. Where do you see evil on display today? Even in difficult, last days, how do you see God's activity? God is working throughout the world!
This week's study is relevant for life today. Thank you for studying God's Word.
You're always welcome to join us for worship either in person or online.
View all of the "Unashamed" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/unashamed.
JULY 20, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
Unashamed: Git-R-Done in Difficult Times
2 Timothy 3:10-17
If you had hours to live, what would you say? Who would you say it to? Paul, nearing the end of his physical life, had truths to share. Paul invested his final moments of life into Timothy, his child in the faith. He loved Timothy, and he wanted that young man to be a spiritual champion for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Consider your own life: Are you equipping a young boy or girl to be a spiritual champion for the Lord? Is your church investing in the coming generation to be unashamed, bold, and courageous for Jesus and His gospel?
Paul wanted Timothy to understand that the last days would be difficult. Do you believe that you're living in those times? Are you facing any difficulty? Are you stressed? Perhaps you're already facing difficulties—stressed over workplace issues, financial matters, personal health, or time management. It's a relevant fact that many people are anxious and stressed. Timothy could sink or soar in the last days. Paul taught him to soar for the glory of God and the advancement of the gospel. As you live in difficult days, are you sinking or soaring?
How did Paul equip and inspire Timothy to seize the last days for God's glory?
1. Live God's Way (2 Timothy 3:10-13). If you went to the dinner table and were offered a glass of milk or a prime piece of meat, which would you choose? Paul fed Timothy prime beef, for he was a hungry servant. How do you live God's way? Who is teaching you to know the Lord and grow in His likeness? Now, let's explore these questions together:
1. Who is your Apostle Paul in life? You may share his or her name and why this person has helped you spiritually.
2. How has the Lord rescued you in life? You may share your conversion story, your freedom from an addiction, or your deliverance from self-harm.
3. Do you believe you'll face persecution for your faith? You may share your thoughts and what you see happening in other countries.
2. Share God's Truth (2 Timothy 3:14-15). People constantly share ideas, experiences, and even gossip. But what about eternal truth? Timothy received God's truth not only from Paul but also from his mother and grandmother, profoundly shaping his life. Jesus said, "To whom much is given, much is required." Given the truth you've received, are you intentionally sharing God's truth with others? Take the time and discuss the following questions:
1. Do you have a teachable spirit? You may give examples about how the Lord and His servants are speaking into your life and discipling you.
2. Do you prioritize sharing God's truth in your family time? You may offer insights about how you lead your family in the ways of the Lord.
3. Do you believe a biblical worldview matters? You may discuss how the world is influencing you and those around you.
3. Hear God's Voice (2 Timothy 3:16-17). A prolonged period of spiritual silence causes anxiety and dread. Have you prayed, only to feel like Heaven was silent? God spoke clearly in the Old and New Testaments. Paul, believing in the authority and inspiration of the BIble, wanted Timothy to hear God's voice. God's primary means of speaking to people today is through His Word. Discuss the following three questions, relating to God's Word and hearing His voice:
1. Are you reading His Word every day? You may share what helps you stay engaged in the BIble.
2. How does God speak to people today? You may talk about the Bible, prayer, the Holy Spirit, circumstances, and other people.
3. When was the last time you heard God's voice? You may provide details about what God said and how you obeyed His voice.
As you conclude this week's study, here are three quick questions to consider: (1) Are you living God's way? (2) Are you sharing God's truth? (3) Are you hearing God's voice?
Thank you for studying God's Word with folks at FBC Clarksville. We'd love to hear from you. We look forward to worshipping the Lord with you this weekend.
View all of the "Unashamed" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/unashamed.
JULY 27, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
Unashamed: A Pastor’s Ordination Message
2 Timothy 4:1-8
View all of the "Unashamed" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/unashamed.
AUGUST 3, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
Unashamed: Overcoming the Enemy of Loneliness
2 Timothy 4:9-22
View all of the "Unashamed" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/unashamed.