2 Timothy 3

The Holy Scriptures

Do you ever feel overwhelmed or nervous about the spiritual condition of the world today? In an epistle to Timothy, Paul prophesied that the last days would include “perilous times” (2 Timothy 3:1), but he also taught that the Lord has given you the gift of the holy scriptures to help you during perilous times (see 2 Timothy 3:14–17). This lesson is intended to help you feel a desire to study the scriptures, which can help protect you from the evils of our day.

Testifying of the blessings of daily scripture study. Testify often of the blessings that come from studying the scriptures daily, and invite students to testify of the blessings they receive from scripture study.

Student preparation: Share the following statement by President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018): “Spending time each day in scripture study will, without doubt, strengthen our foundations of faith and our testimonies of truth” (“How Firm a Foundation,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 68). Invite students to ponder this statement and to think of personal experiences that show it is true.

Possible Learning Activities

The last days

Consider asking students to stand up. Tell them to imagine that one wall in the room represents feeling grateful to be alive at this time in earth’s history and the opposite wall represents feeling nervous about it. Invite them to move to one of the walls or to stand somewhere between the two that best represents their feelings. Invite a few students to explain why they feel the way they do.

Read the following statement by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and reflect on why living at this time makes you feel grateful, nervous, or both.

We live in very interesting times, yet marvelous times. …

We know as we approach the Second Coming of the Savior that our world will be full of commotion and confusion. Many in society will disregard the commandments of God. I have often quoted this statement by President Thomas S. Monson: “Where once the standards of the Church and the standards of society were mostly compatible, now there is a wide chasm between us, and it’s growing ever wider.”

(Neil L. Andersen, “A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous” [Brigham Young University Education Week devotional, Aug. 18, 2015], speeches.byu.edu)

• In what ways are the times in which we live marvelous?

• What might make you feel nervous about living in the world that Elder Andersen described?

As you study this lesson, look for ways God has lovingly provided help for the confusion, spiritual dangers, or anxiety you may feel from the conditions of the world.

Read 2 Timothy 3:1–7, 12–13; 4:3–4, looking for Paul’s descriptions of dangers in the last days. You may want to use the footnotes to help you understand any difficult words.

• What examples of the conditions Paul described have you have seen in the world today?

A gift from God

Heavenly Father has not left us to face the perils of the last days on our own. In His mercy and love, He has provided us with many marvelous gifts.

Elder Andersen continued:

As we find our way in a world less attentive to the commandments of God, we will certainly be prayerful, but we need not be overly alarmed. The Lord will bless His Saints with the added spiritual power necessary to meet the challenges of our day.

(Neil L. Andersen, “A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous” [Brigham Young University Education Week devotional, Aug. 18, 2015], speeches.byu.edu)

Read 2 Timothy 3:14–17, looking for one of the gifts God has provided to help us through the perils of our day.

2 Timothy 3:15–17 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them easily. You will learn more about this doctrinal mastery passage in the next lesson.

Invite students to share what they found.

• What are some of the blessings we can receive from scripture study that you noticed in these verses?

It may be helpful to list the blessings students identify on the board. If students struggle to identify blessings, some of the following could be added to the list.

Scripture study can help you:

1. Deepen your faith in Jesus Christ.

2. Receive wisdom and instruction in situations you face.

3. Understand doctrine or truths of the gospel.

4. Correct false ideas or poor habits.

5. Become more like Jesus Christ.

• How would you summarize what Paul taught about scripture study?

One way students could summarize Paul’s teachings is this: as we study the scriptures, we can gain wisdom that will lead us to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Consider writing a few of the students’ summaries on the board.

In your study journal, write about a time when the scriptures helped you in one of the ways Paul described. If you cannot think of an experience, write why you think the scriptures could help you in one of the ways Paul described.

Consider inviting several volunteers to share or summarize what they wrote.

• What other ways can the Lord bless you as you study the scriptures?

• The Lord gave you the gift of scriptures to help you in the last days. What does this teach you about Him?

Using the scriptures

Consider allowing students to work in small groups to complete the following activity.

To practice using the scriptures to strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ, choose two of the latter-day challenges that Paul prophesied of in 2 Timothy 3:1–7, 12–13; 4:3–4, or choose different challenges that are relevant to your life. Search for scripture passages that could help someone who is facing these challenges. It may be helpful to search key words in the Guide to the Scriptures or the Topical Guide, which are both available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Or you could first choose some of your favorite scriptures and then decide which of the latter-day challenges they could help you with.

• Which scripture passages did you find that could help someone who is facing specific challenges? Explain how they could help.

Your scripture study goal

Provide students with an opportunity to reflect on their daily scripture study goals. Some students may be struggling to keep the goal they have set. The learning experience in the lesson “Doctrinal Mastery: 2 Timothy 3:15–17” will give students an opportunity to consider how to overcome obstacles to daily scripture study they may face.

Paul reminded Timothy that Timothy had been blessed to know the scriptures from the time he was young (see 2 Timothy 3:15). Likewise, Heavenly Father will bless you for studying the scriptures in your youth. Take a few minutes to either prayerfully set a goal or to consider your current goal for personal daily scripture study. Ponder the following questions:

• How have you been doing with your goal?

• How is your goal helping you develop faith in Jesus Christ and overcome the challenges of our day?

• What adjustments, if any, to your goal do you feel you should make?

Consider inviting students to share their answer to the second question above.

Invite students to hand in their goal if they feel it would help them to achieve it.

Consider telling your teacher, a parent, or someone else you trust about your scripture study goal and inviting them to follow up with you.

Commentary and Background Information

How can I understand the perils listed in 2 Timothy 3:1–7?

The following definitions may be useful:

• “Without natural affection” (2 Timothy 3:3) could include behaviors associated with a lack of feeling or caring, feelings of hatred and contempt, or with lustful desires that lead to sexual immorality

• “Incontinent” (2 Timothy 3:3) means without self-control

• “Heady” (2 Timothy 3:4) means rash, reckless

• “Highminded” (2 Timothy 3:4) means puffed up, conceited

How can I better understand 2 Timothy 3:16–17?

Consider reading the article “Line upon Line: 2 Timothy 3:16–17” (New Era, Apr. 2012, 19), which contains word helps, prophetic commentary, and explanations that may help you further understand these verses.

How can studying the scriptures help me in my life?

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

We talk to God through prayer. He most often communicates back to us through His written word. To know what the voice of the Divine sounds and feels like, read His words, study the scriptures, and ponder them. Make them an integral part of everyday life. …

Through daily, consistent scripture study, you will find peace in the turmoil around you and strength to resist temptations. You will develop strong faith in the grace of God and know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ all will be made right according to God’s timing.

(Richard G. Scott, “Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 93–94)

How can I feel optimistic about the future if the direction of society appears to be contrary to God’s commandments?

President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles helped answer this question in the video “On Zion’s Hill” from time code 0:00 to 1:41, available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

What are some ways I can effectively study the scriptures?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles answers this question in the video “Advice for Studying the Scriptures” (2:07), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Supplemental Learning Activities

The Savior’s example

Review Matthew 4:1–11 with students to see how the Savior used the scriptures to overcome the dangers and temptations He faced.

Different ways to learn from the scriptures

Before inviting students to consider their personal scripture study goal, display the following statement by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Invite students to identify each word that describes ways we can use our scriptures.

“You and I must look to and come unto Christ, who is ‘the fountain of living waters’ (1 Nephi 11:25 ; compare Ether 8:26; 12:28), by reading (see Mosiah 1:5), studying (see [Doctrine and Covenants 26:1]), searching (see John 5:39; Alma 17:2), and feasting (see 2 Nephi 32:3) upon the words of Christ as contained in the holy scriptures. By so doing, we can receive both spiritual direction and protection during our mortal journey” (David A. Bednar, “A Reservoir of Living Water” [Church Educational System fireside for young adults, Feb. 4, 2007], 2, broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Ask students to describe how they could apply in their personal scripture study each of the words they identify.