(UPCOMING MESSAGE) Chicago UBF New Year message: Be Strengthened by the Grace

2026 Chicago UBF Key Verse

“BE STRENGTHENED BY THE GRACE”

(Raising Leaders)

2 Timothy 2:1–2 (Go to ESV Bible Verses)

Key Verse: 2:1, "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,"

• Review Paul’s opening instructions to Timothy (1:6,8,13,14). How could Timothy do all these things (1:6,7,8,9,12,13)? Who has Paul just mentioned (1:15–18), and why?

1. How does Paul now address Timothy (2:1a), and why?
2. What do Paul’s words “be strengthened” mean (2:1b; see Rom.4:20; Eph.6:10; Phil.4:13)? Why does Timothy need to be strengthened?
3. What is the “grace that is in Christ Jesus” (1:9; 1 Tim.1:14–15; Eph.3:7–8)? What else does Paul say about the nature of this grace (Rom.5:15; 2 Cor.9:8; 12:9)? Why is it that only this grace empowers us for ministry (Tit.2:11–12; 1 Cor.15:10)?
4. How and why does Paul instruct Timothy on raising even more new leaders (2:2)? How is faithfulness related to the ability to teach? How are both related to grace?
5. In light of the above study, why is it so important to be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and to help younger leaders as Paul did?

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References:

Q2: Rom.4:20: “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God…”

Eph.6:10: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”

Phil.4:13: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Q3: 2 Tim.1:9: “...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…”

1 Tim.1:14–15: “...and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

Eph.3:7–8: “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ…”

Rom.5:15: “But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.”

2 Cor.9:8: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

2 Cor.12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.”

Tit.2:11–12: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…”

1 Cor.15:10: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”