May 30 2026

Scripture Passages

OVERVIEW

Two teenagers were walking down the street on their way to volunteer at Vacation Bible School. One of the teenagers was trying to be inconspicuous about the Bible he was carrying. After a few blocks it became obvious to the other teenager that there was a problem. Turning to his friend he asked, “What’s wrong? Is the Bible too heavy? I’ll carry it if you want me to.” Embarrassed, the other boy handed over the Bible and walked head down the rest of the way to church.

Have you ever been ashamed of something like getting caught in a lie, taking cookies when you were told not to, looking at inappropriate things on your phone, or any number of other forbidden things? For many those are the type of things they think about when feeling ashamed, but what about not standing up for a friend who’s being bullied or not being willing to stand up for those less fortunate than you? There are lots of things that one can feel bad about. Today’s lesson is about not being ashamed to stand up for what’s right, so grab some Roma (that’s Adventist decaf) and a fresh hot cinnamon roll and join the fun discovering what it’s like be like Paul and not be ASHAMED!

OPENING ACTIVITY:
SCATTERGORIES 

https://swellgarfo.com/scattergories/

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Electronic Device such as a computer, phone, etc.

Paper and writing utensil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Give each student paper and writing utensil.

2.  Go to the link provided. 

3. Display the device where all can see it.

4. Click the start button.

5.  Students will have 120 seconds (2 minutes) to provide answers to the questions on the page.  Each answer will need to start with the letter displayed in the top left corner of the page.

4.  Have the students share their answers with the group.

5.  If you have time to do more, click the restart button and the questions and letter changes. Press start and the game continues.

QUESTIONS

TRANSITION

Trials take time. From the time of his arrest until he stood before Nero, Paul waited a really long time. Can you imagine being arrested for something you didn’t do and having to wait years for a trial? It’s not too far-fetched a concept. It happens all the time. What would it be like to wait years to learn your fate? What if you knew that by asking for a trial, it would cost you your life? Paul knew all of this was possible, but throughout his journey he waited patiently knowing that whatever happened, God was in charge. It’s hard to grasp, but sometimes standing up for what’s right is more important than living.
 

BIBLE STUDY GUIDE

Read 2 Timothy 1:3-12.

3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

QUESTIONS

Read 2 Timothy 2:8-13.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for:

            If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
            12  if we endure, we will also reign with him;
            if we deny him, he also will deny us;
            13  if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.

QUESTIONS

Read 2 Timothy 3:10-16.

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

QUESTIONS

Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

1I 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 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. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

APPLICATION

It would seem that being a follower of Christ isn’t for those who give up easily. All the apostles, except John, died a martyr. Some would suggest that the cost is too high. Paul addressed this issue by telling us, in 1 Timothy 4:6-8:

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Yes, the cost is high, but the reward is eternal.

FOLLOW UP

Each time before you start to read, ask God to show you a principle or guidepost that will help you as you navigate being His follower.

Over the next week, reread 2 Timothy. 

LEADER’S NOTE

For a Relational Bible Study (RBS) you’ll want to get into the Scripture passage and encourage the youth to imagine participating in the story while it’s happening. Then you will be able to better apply it to your own situation today.

You will need to ask God for the Holy Spirit to be present as your small group discusses the questions (no more than 3-6 people in a group is recommended). Start with the opening question. It is a personal question and the answer is unique for each individual. There is no right answer and nobody is an expert here, so don’t be surprised when you hear different responses. You are depending on the Holy Spirit to be present and to speak through your group. Say what God prompts you to say, and listen to what others share.

Take turns reading the chapter out loud. Follow that with giving the students some time to individually mark their responses to the questions (a PDF version of the handout is available as a download). This gives each person a starting point for responding when you start to share as a group. Next, begin the discussion by asking the students to share what they marked and why on each question as you work your way through. Feel free to take more time on some questions than others as discussion warrants.

Encourage each person in the group to apply what is discussed to their personal lives and to share with the group what they believe God wants them to do. Then ask them to pray that God will help each of them to follow through in doing so. Remind them to expect that God will show them ways to live out the message of this passage in the coming week, and that they are free to ask others in the group to help hold them accountable.

DOWNLOAD THE HANDOUT

“My life,” says Paul, “has reached the point where it must be sacrificed.” Every Roman meal ended with a kind of sacrifice. A cup of wine was taken and was poured out to the gods. It is as if Paul were saying: “The day is ended; it is time to rise and go; and my life must be poured out as a sacrifice to God.” He did not think of himself as going to be executed; he thought of himself as going to offer his life to God. Ever since his conversion, he had offered everything to God—his money, his scholarship, his time, the vigor of his body, the acuteness of his mind, the devotion of his heart. Only life itself was left to offer, and gladly he was going to lay it down.

Many a journey he had made across the roads of Asia Minor and of Europe. Now he was setting out on his last and greatest journey; he was taking the road that led to his final earthly rest. For Paul this was the last loosening of the mooring-ropes of the ship. Many a time Paul had felt his ship leave the harbor for the deep waters. Now he is to launch out into the greatest deep of all, setting sail to cross the waters of death, looking forward to eternity with Jesus at His second advent.

Paul presents these vivid pictures of which he was such a master: “I have fought the good fight: I have completed the race: I have kept the faith” (1 Timothy 4:8).

This sentence, “I have kept the faith,” could be seen as: “I have kept the conditions of the contract; I have been true to my engagement.” If Paul used it in that way, he meant that he had engaged himself to serve Christ and had stood by that engagement and never let his Master down. Further, it could mean: “I have kept my faith: I have never lost my confidence and my hope.” If Paul used it in that way, he meant that through thick and thin, in freedom and in imprisonment, in all his perils by land and sea, and now in the very face of death, he had never lost his trust in Jesus Christ.

He knew that in a very short time he would stand before the Roman judgment seat and that his trial could have only one end. He knew what Nero’s verdict would be, but he also knew what God’s verdict would be. In this moment Paul is turning from the verdict of humans to the verdict of God. The man whose life is dedicated to Christ is indifferent to the verdict of humans. He cares not if they condemn him so long as he hears his Master’s “Well done!”

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Looking back over his life, the apostle offered a remarkable description few could honestly echo. He had “fought the good fight” (1 Timothy 6:12), “finished the race,” and, “kept the faith.” The first two are common Pauline athletic images, while the third draws again on the image of faithfulness in one’s stewardship of Christian truth.

As a result of his faithfulness to duty Paul had no fear of facing the Lord, the righteous Judge, but only anticipation of reward in the form of a crown of righteousness which was already waiting in store for him. “Crown of righteousness” can mean either that righteousness itself is the crown or reward, or that this crown is the reward for righteousness. In any case, Paul expected to receive his reward on that day (a reference to Christ’s return, not Paul’s death), side by side with the rest of the faithful who have longed for His appearing.

APPLICATION

Instead of being depressed about the final trial of his life, Paul is only the more confident. The greater the trial, the clearer the promise shines. The righteous judge one day will give the true verdict in his case. Many of the decisions Paul had received in this life were unfair, but the Lord is the Judge who can make no mistake. God’s word over Nero’s word mattered more to Paul.

Below, find some application activities to reinforce this lesson. These are simply to provide ideas for your use, or to invite you to imagine and create some of your own, as you impact the lives of teens for God’s glory.

Obstacle Reward

As a group debrief how your church received your creativity.

Context – U – All

As a class think of all that Paul might have experienced as he faced his final days on earth.

Recreate the scenes in modern language, to make up a skit, or poems, or a song and have a time in AYM or children’s story time to share your creations with the congregation.