Bible Text

2 Timothy 4:9-15

9 Do your best to come to me soon. 10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.

Reflection & Application

• What is surprising and tragic about the reason Demas deserted Apostle Paul?

• What is the relationship between “lov[ing] this world” and deserting the work of God? (cf. James 4:4)

• What are the things I still love that can potentially become the reason to desert my faith or dilute my commitment to the work of God?

• What can I learn about repentance, recommitment, and God’s grace through Mark, whom Paul had earlier rejected for having deserted his mission, but whose company and help Paul now requested in his last days? (cf. Acts 15:36-40)

• Reflect on how I have experienced God’s grace, forgiveness and restoration despite my past failures.

• What are the three kinds of people described in these verses?

• How do these verses challenge me as I think about which category of people I belong to?