Mount of Olives Pastor Tim Perlick
480-729-0115
Bible Study for October 19, 2025
Opening Prayer:
Creator of all, we thank you for the opportunity to gather in study. Open our minds and hearts. By the power of the Holy Spirit, unite us in faith, hope, and love. Help us to be faithful to the gospel and to walk humbly with you. Grant us your peace as we grow in wisdom and understanding. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Luke 18:1-8 Do you ever feel like God is unresponsive to your prayers?
Luke’s gospel emphasizes God's love for the poor, the disadvantaged, minorities, outcasts, sinners and lepers. Women play a more prominent part than in the other gospels. Some Pharisees have asked Jesus when the kingdom of God will come; he has answered: it is already “among you” (17:21). Using examples from the Old Testament, he has warned his disciples that its full coming will be sudden and unexpected; many people will miss it, being preoccupied with worldly affairs.
In Jewish society, a “widow” (v. 3) had no legal status; she was powerless. The story tells us twice that the judge is a rogue: he neither respects God nor cares about other people (vv. 2, 4). So why would Jesus tell an absurd story? Because such stories are easily remembered and are likely to be retold, and in an oral culture, re-telling was how information was handed down. Jesus uses this incongruous story to teach the disciples a lesson. If even this rogue listens to a petition (eventually), how much more so will God, loving as he is, hear and answer the prayers of the faithful, those whom he has “chosen” (v. 7), by again sending Christ, to judge. He will grant them justice soon after he comes (“quickly”, v. 8); however, they cannot know when he will come. So do not “lose heart” (v. 1) and persist “day and night” (v. 7) in prayer, seeking the completion of the coming of the Kingdom. But, Jesus wonders, will any still be faithful then, or will they all be preoccupied by other matters?
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 How do you keep your spirit grounded in “sound teaching,” rather than whatever spirituality the marketplace is offering up?
In Palestine, based on popular books, people thought that a time of moral decay would precede the end of the world. The author of this book sees the decadence resulting from false teaching as contributing to this (3:1-9). Timothy has Paul’s example to follow, particularly the “persecutions” (3:11) he endured. Suffering for Christ is part of being Christian (3:12). While true Christians will be shown to be godly, false teachers “will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived” (3:13) by the devil. But Timothy, “continue” (3:14), stand fast, in what Paul and your family have taught you! (“Whom” is plural in Greek.) Remember that the Old Testament (“sacred writings”, 3:15), interpreted in the Christian community (“faith in Christ ...”) tells you about “salvation”, about Christ.
“All scripture” (3:16), possibly including some New Testament books, has authority rooted in God - literally, is “God-breathed” - and so gives a basis for human conduct. It enables all who speak for God, equipping them for good works, including “teaching ...” (v. 16). The author now begins his conclusion. Thinking ahead to Christ’s second coming, “his appearing” (4:1), when he will “judge” and begin ruling all creation (“kingdom”), he now urges Timothy to “proclaim” (4:2) the good news, whether the time seems propitious or not (for God’s word is always in season). False teachers are undermining the faith now; perhaps “the time is coming” (4:3) when no one will adhere to the true faith. (“Myths”, 4:4, are probably changes or accretions to doctrine handed down from the apostles.) In 4:6-8, Paul sees his death as being close, so he hands on his ministry to Timothy and other future leaders. The ministry is now Timothy’s (“your”, 4:5). May he, like Paul, remain steadfast (“sober”) as he evangelizes, visiting various cities – even enduring “suffering”.
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