2 Timothy 2.  False teaching had infested Ephesus, so Paul warned Timothy to avoid its “irreverent babble” because it would “lead people into more and more ungodliness” (16).  He instructed Timothy not to debate these teachers, because their “foolish, ignorant controversies” only “breed quarrels” (23).  Instead, Paul urged Timothy to faithfully, methodically teach some faithful men, discipling them so that they can in turn disciple others.

1. Discipling requires long-term, undistracted commitment.  Paul uses the metaphors of the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer to get that point across (3-7).
2. Discipling requires faithfulness in sharing the gospel message about Jesus Christ and the salvation and glory he has made possible.  Even if we suffer for preaching this message, we do it for the sake of those elect who will hear and be saved (8-13).
3. Discipling requires rightly handling the word of truth.  Some in Ephesus were teaching “that the resurrection had already happened” and “were upsetting the faith of some” (18).  The discipler needs to know how to do proper exegesis and should be trained in systematic theology.  Paul urged Timothy to work hard for God’s approval so that those he trained would be approved as well (14-19).
4. Discipling requires cleansing oneself from “what is dishonorable” so that the discipler can be “a vessel for honorable use.”  For Timothy, that meant fleeing “youthful passions” and pursuing “righteousness, faith, love and peace.”  He had to stay away from “foolish, ignorant controversies” and correct his opponents with gentleness.  There is no fighting fire with fire for the discipler (20-26).

LORD, make us disciplers.  Make us workers approved by God for the task of communicating his word.