Today’s Reading | 2 Timothy 4
A Second Chance
Is it hard for you to forgive the mistakes of other people? Do you hold grudges towards people who have hurt you? If you answer yes to either of those questions, you will find encouragement from today’s reading. To fully understand this, we must take time to review. In the book of Acts, Paul and Barnabas had taken with them on their missionary journey, a young man named Mark (Acts 12:25). During the trip, Mark became discouraged and left the group to return home. A few years later, Paul and Barnabas were about to embark on another journey. Barnabas wanted to take Mark, but Paul refused. He felt that since Mark had previously failed, they shouldn’t give him a second chance. So, Paul took Silas, and Barnabas left with Mark (Acts 15:36-41). We don’t hear any more about it until Paul’s final comments in today’s reading. In verse eleven, Paul asked Timothy to bring Mark because he had been helpful to Paul in ministry. Over time, Paul had forgiven him and once again valued his service. He didn’t hold a grudge or stubbornly refuse to give him another chance. Do you need to forgive and restore the way Paul did?
Today’s Questions
Say What?
Observation: What do I see?
So What?
Interpretation: What does it mean?
Now What?
Application: How does it apply to me?
Then What?
Implementation: What do I do?