Small Giants
Little Books—Big Message

We call ourselves people of the Book—the Bible. It is our guide—the very word of God. Our words sound good, but are we not just a little disingenuous when we make such a claim? When was the last time you read the book of Jude? Or what is your favorite verse in 3 John (not John chapter 3 but the book of 3 John)? The word of God exists in every one of the 66 books in the Bible. Yet, we ignore some of his words.

Over the next several weeks, leading up to Easter, we are going to focus on what I call the “Small Giants—Little Books with a Big Message.” They may not be as familiar or popular as other books of the Bible, but they carry just as much authority as the others.

2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, 2 Peter, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude may be small in comparison to other books, but they deserve our full attention. Don’t let their brevity cause you to miss the very words of life we all need to hear and follow.

Your Pastor,

 Stephen G. Hatfield

Week 1 – 2 Timothy: “COURAGEOUS”

Devotions written by Dr. Brad Williamson

Monday
2 Timothy 1:1-7

When the Apostle Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, Paul was in prison in Rome. No longer under “house arrest,” Paul was most likely in a cold dungeon, awaiting his death. The Roman Emperor Nero had begun a major prosecution of Christians in A.D. 64, attempting to blame Christians for the great fire that destroyed much of Rome rather than taking personal responsibility. Paul rightfully speculated that persecution of Christians would spread across the Roman Empire. This persecution would especially impact those who were actively sharing the gospel of Jesus, like the young pastor Timothy.

Timothy and Paul were dear friends. They met on Paul’s second missionary journey when Paul visited Timothy’s hometown of Lystra. Paul probably led Timothy to Christ and became Timothy’s mentor. As Timothy matured, he became pastor of the church in Ephesus.