This document contains a summary of 2 Timothy 3:16-4:4 and additional commentary. It makes three key points: 1. Scripture should speak to us by teaching, reproving, correcting, and training us so that we may be complete and equipped for God's work. 2. We should teach Scripture by preaching the word in and out of season, through reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with patience. 3. Spiritual decay occurs when people reject sound teaching and follow myths, craving teachers that suit their own desires rather than truth. They turn away from Scripture. We must let Scripture speak to and work through us.

2. 2 Timothy 3:16-4:4
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for
training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God
may be complete, equipped for every good work.
[4:1]I charge you in the presence of God and of
Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the
dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
[2] preach the word; be ready in season and out of
season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with
complete patience and teaching.

3. [3]For the time is coming when people will not
endure sound teaching, but having itching ears
they will accumulate for themselves teachers to
suit their own passions, [4] and will turn away
from listening to the truth and wander off into
myths.

4. 3 Signs of Spiritual Decay
3For the time is coming when people will
not endure sound teaching
When We Discard Doctrine
Discard Apostolic Teaching
Doctrine of Christ
Doctrine of Law, Sin & Repentance

5. 3 Signs of Spiritual Decay
but having itching ears they will
accumulate for themselves
teachers to suit their own passions
When We Crave the New Rave
- Emphasis on Style, Felt Needs,
Novelties, Product & Personality
- Passions = Evil Desires

6. 3 Signs of Spiritual Decay
but having itching ears they will
accumulate for themselves teachers to
suit their own passions
1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly says
that in later times some will depart
from the faith by devoting themselves
to deceitful spirits and teachings of
demons, 2 through the insincerity of
liars whose consciences are seared…

7. 3 Signs of Spiritual Decay
and will turn away from listening to
the truth and wander off into myths
When We Detour into Distraction
- Turn Away from Truth
- Turn Toward Legends, Myths, Fables,
Pop-Culture / Pop-Teaching
The Early Church was drawn into
Pop-Greek Culture or Jewish Myth

8. 3 Signs of Spiritual Decay
and will turn away from listening to
the truth and wander off into myths
Examples Today:
Self-Help Books / Seminars
Talk Shows: Including Rant Shows
Prosperity Gospel
Positive Attitude – Motivational
Self-Actualization
Pluralistic Relativism
Pop-Church / Christian Culture
Emotional Priority

9. 3 Signs of Spiritual Decay
and will turn away from listening to
the truth and wander off into myths
2 Peter 1:16 For
we did not follow
cleverly devised myths when we
made known to you the power and
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but
we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

10. The First Steps to Health
Let Scripture Speak to You
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Let Scripture Work through You
2 Timothy 4:1-2

11. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Let Scripture Speak to You
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for
training in righteousness,
[17]
that the man of God may be complete,
equipped for every good work.

12. Why Should We Read the Bible?
Scripture is God Breathed
- Every Little Portion
- Old Testament, Wisdom, Prophets
- It is the mind of God

13. Why Should We Read the Bible?
Scripture Prepares and Equips Us…
- It Teaches Us – Instructs us about God
- It Reproves Us – Shows us Our Guilt before God
- It Corrects Us – Restores us to God
- It Trains Us – Gives us Wisdom for Living for God
For His Work and Purpose
[17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped
for every good work.

14. Let Scripture Speak to You
Test
Colossians 3:12-14 ESV
Put on then, as God's chosen ones,
holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness,
humility, meekness, and patience, [13] bearing with
one another and, if one has a complaint against
another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has
forgiven you, so you also must forgive. [14] And above
all these put on love, which binds everything
together in perfect harmony.

15. Let Scripture Speak to You
Scripture Teaches us About God
1. God is intentional in pursuing people for His
kingdom and loves them.
2. God has standards for His people that raise them
above the world’s status quo.
3. God’s guiding standard for His people is love
4. Christ demonstrates God’s forgiving character –
God Himself is forgiving.

16. Let Scripture Speak to You
Scripture Reproves us by Revealing our Guilt
• How have you been doing living with others
before God?
• Have you had a heart of compassion?
• How kind have you been in speech or actions?
• Have you been humble and meek toward others?
• How patient have you been with people who
irritate you – have you born the iritation or lashed
out?
• Have you practiced forgiveness – knowing that
Christ forgave you when you were a mocker?

17. Let Scripture Speak to You
Scripture Corrects us Before God
Paul said “Put Off” the old self.
And to “Put On” the new self.
The course correction is a volitional decision to be
compassionate, patient, forgiving and loving.
We have to make a decision! God expects us to work
hard at making new choices.

18. Let Scripture Speak to You
Scripture Trains us Before God
Colossians 3:17 ESV And whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through Him.
Can you be unloving, unforgiving, impatient and
unkind in the same breath while giving thanks? It is
hard to be a complainer when you are giving God
thanks for the one you are complaining about.
Paul’s Training is to Give Thanks!

19. 2 Timothy 4:1-2
[4:1]I charge you in the presence of God and of
Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the
dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
[2] preach the word; be ready in season and out of
season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with
complete patience and teaching.

20. Why Should We Teach Scripture?
- God Gave Us Scripture
- Jesus Christ is the Judge of Our Lives
- Scripture has the Good News of a Great Kingdom

21. How Should We Teach Scripture?
Be Ready to Preach and Teach… Really?????
Announce or Proclaim
Some preaching is on stage – some preaching is
quiet – but all preaching has a goal to announce
the lifesaving message of Jesus Christ.

22. What is the Power of Preaching?
- It Reproves – It helps to show our guilt before God
- It Rebukes – It brings the truth of God’s wrath
- It Exhorts – It brings encouragement of God’s plan
Exhort comes from the same word used by Jesus to
describe the Holy Spirit. It comes as a friend,
comforter, counselor alongside us and gives us
encouragement when we discover our sin.

23. Scripture is God’s Life-giving Food for
Repentance, Life, and Hope

24. What informs your world?
What captivates your mind?
What shapes your thinking?
What draws your attention?
Who or What is your source for wisdom?
Are you letting Scripture Speak-
To You?
Through You?