These Online Bible Study Worksheets are for First and Second Timothy, two more beautiful letters written by our beloved St. Paul. These letters were probably written between Paul’s first Roman imprisonment and his martyrdom. That fact alone is why I love our Online Bible Study Community so much! Paul was in prison and yet he was still encouraging Christians! Welcome to the community of believers!
“This [1 Timothy] letter was written to Paul’s associate Timothy who was stationed in Ephesus on special assignment (1:3). The Ephesian Church was at this time threatened by a series of pastoral crisis…” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible)
“In many ways 2 Timothy reads like a last will and testament. It is a moving account of how Paul, like a runner crossing the finish line, has reached the end of his apostolic career, with only the crown of martyrdom awaiting him. Young Timothy, instructed by the apostle for more than 15 years, is now asked to take up the mantle of his mentor and continue his ministry of preaching.” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible)
Does a Bible Study Community Help?
Can you even imagine being in prison and still encouraging someone facing their own difficulties? Yes, you can, I know you can because I can. We do it all the time. Granted, our prison may not look like bars on windows and in Paul’s case, chained to a guard. But we each are in our own prison.
What prison you ask? The prison of our own minds. The prison of our own words. The things we think and tell ourselves daily. The lies we listen to and the emotions that are holding us hostage. (Someone felt those words, it’s ok. Lean into it and feel it. Picture our Lord holding you close right now, telling you, “It’s ok, let it out, you are safe, you are loved, and I am here.)
Paul knew his limitations, he was chained to a guard for goodness sake! He knew he couldn’t physically be with Timothy to encourage him–so he used his words. Our Online Bible Study Community can’t be in the same living room together, eating the same yummy snacks, and offering warm hugs or a pat on the shoulder to a struggling sister. But we can use our words and even our voice in our live Zoom Bible Study Meetings.
So yes, an Online Bible Study does and can help. We are made for community. Our Lord saw it wasn’t good for Adam to be alone–community. Jesus could have come in any way, shape, or form to save the world and redeem our souls–He came into a family and lived in community with others. Community matters.
Do I Need a Bible Study?
I think so. I know for myself if left to my own desires, feelings, and whims…sometimes my Bible just sits there until “later.” You know “later.”
–After I get my coffee
–Once I’m awake
–After my shower
–Once I get the kids dressed and out the door
–After Breakfast
–Once I get laundry going
–After I make this quick phone call
–Once I finish grocery shopping
–After homework help
–Once the house gets quiet
–Tomorrow
–This weekend
But if I know others are reading with me, if I know we’re going to be meeting once a week to discuss and learn more about what we’re reading in community, if I know the plan is already made–I just have to literally follow it…my “once” and “after” and “later” becomes easier to ignore.
I know all I have to do–although not always easy but always simple, is just sit down, follow the Daily Scripture Writing Plan, and spend some time (as long or as little as I like or can afford at the moment) with the Journaling Reflection Question Bible Study Worksheets. It seems more doable when I don’t have to make decisions about what I’m going to read today or how I’m going to study the Word.
Do I Have to Be Catholic to Join?
No way! We’ve had non-Catholic friends in our Online Bible Study Community before. One of them, Pam, had the most beautiful gift of praying for us before we started and as we were finishing up. This is truly a group of ladies who want to read, write, pray, and study the Word of God together in community. Now, will I mention “Catholic things”? Yes, I am a Catholic. Will I bash your church or you if you don’t go to Church? Nope, and neither will any of the other girls.
Can I Cancel at Any Time?
Of course you can, I’m not holding anyone hostage in our Online Bible Study Community. Signing up and canceling are both done through your Paypal account. When you join us, you have immediate access to not only this month’s study but also our past Bible Studies that are archived in the Files section of our private Facebook Group.
And remember, if you just want to study the Word on your own, I have a shop full of our past Online Bible Studies.
In the coming weeks, I’ll share how I’m reprinting these Online Bible Studies and making my own Bible Study Notebook. I honestly haven’t been this excited about my personal Bible Study in a while! In case you want to gather your supplies now, here’s a list of what I’m using:
A Happy Planner (Big)–the main reason I love a Happy Planner is that I can add pages to it!
Extra Pages for my Happy Planner–for notes, reflections, and doodles
Happy Planner Hole Punch–so I can turn anything into an insert: church bulletins, things I print off the internet, cards, ect.
Frixion Multi-Colored Pens
Sharpie S Note Highlighters
Other Online Bible Studies
I’ve recently updated the Online Bible Study: Philippians. Again, I cleaned up the Daily Scripture Writing Plan and Journaling Reflection Questions. I added two bonus Bible Study Worksheets: SOAP Bible Study and a Character Study Worksheet for the Apostle Paul.
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