This week, Noah Wagner and Seth Pippen continue their 2 Timothy series after last week’s detour on “asking questions.” In this episode, they unpack Paul’s imagery of vessels in a great house, the call to flee youthful passions, and what it means for the Lord’s servant to avoid quarrels while teaching with kindness and gentleness.

Coffee Banter ☕

• Seth: Iced chai “dirty” (with espresso + brown sugar)

• Noah: Brown sugar shaken espresso with spiced cold foam

• Debate: how to properly shake a brown sugar espresso (two techniques explained)

• Rant: paying extra for cold foam and then drinking with a straw

Main Text: 2 Timothy 2:20–26

• Honorable vs. dishonorable vessels – set apart for God’s purposes, not self-cleansing but Christ-cleansing

• Commands – flee youthful passions (pride, arrogance, quarrelsomeness—not just lust) and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace

• Ministry posture – avoid foolish controversies, don’t fight, but be kind, patient, and gentle when correcting

• Ultimate goal – not winning arguments but praying that God grants repentance

Key Takeaways

• To flee sin is also to run toward Christ.

• Quarrels are “foolish and stupid arguments” (moros = root of “moron”). Don’t get caught in “word wars.”

• The Lord’s servant is known for kindness, patience, and gentle correction.

• Our aim: win hearts, not debates.

Next Steps

• Resource: “Five Non-Negotiables of Christianity” (linked in show notes)

• Next episode: 2 Timothy 3—“All Scripture is breathed out by God”

• Encourage listeners: Share, subscribe, and leave a review!

Five non-negotiables:
1. The Gospel is central – Do they believe and proclaim that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone—not by good works, not by church attendance, but by what Christ has already done?

2. The Trinity is true – Do they believe in the one true God revealed in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? This is foundational to understanding who God is and how He works in the world.

3. The Resurrection is real – Do they hold firmly that Jesus literally rose from the dead and that we too will be raised? This is a core truth, not just a symbol or metaphor.

4. God’s Word is handled rightly – Do they take the Bible seriously, aiming to understand what it actually says instead of twisting it to fit their own ideas or culture?

5. A life of holiness is pursued – Do they show a desire to leave sin behind and live in a way that honors Jesus? None of us are perfect, but real believers should be moving toward Christlikeness.

Episode Overview

Noah and Seth take a break from their verse-by-verse study in 2 Timothy to discuss why asking questions in the Christian life is healthy, how to do it wisely, and where to find trustworthy answers. This episode explores the difference between doubt and disbelief, provides biblical examples of faithful questioning, and offers practical guidance for approaching God and Scripture with curiosity and humility.

Topics Covered

Coffee Opener: Drinks, caffeine, and milk preferences — humorous discussion before the main topic.

Why This Topic: Office limitations and relevance to students/young adults wrestling with faith.

Is Questioning God Wrong? Charles Spurgeon quote: “It is not wrong to question God, but it is wrong to question His goodness.”

Personal Testimony: Seth shares a prayer-walk experience where honest questioning led to peace and clarity.

Doubt vs. Disbelief:

Mark 9:24, John 20 (Thomas), Psalm 13, Acts 17:10–12, 2 Timothy 2:7

Proverbs on humility and seeking understanding

Why Asking Questions Matters: Fear, assumptions, and the danger of unexamined doubt.

Principles for Asking Questions:

Ask with humility, not hostility.

Be willing to listen and go to the right sources.

Root questions in seeking God, not finding excuses.

Common Faith Questions:

Trustworthiness of the Bible

Why God allows suffering

Salvation and Jesus’ resurrection

Prayer, discernment, and relationships

Where to Seek Answers:

Scripture (primary authority)

Holy Spirit guidance

Local church and godly counsel

Vetted Christian resources (expository commentaries, trusted podcasts/articles)

Key Takeaways

God welcomes humble questions; healthy doubt deepens faith.

Avoid hostility or refusing to seek answers.

Thoughtful questioning moves faith from shallow assumptions to deep, Scripture-rooted trust.

Next Steps / Actions

Return next week to 2 Timothy chapter 2.

Bring questions to God humbly; don’t let doubts fester.

Study Scripture, pray for Spirit guidance, and seek counsel from Bible-believing leaders.

Use vetted resources as supplements, not replacements for Scripture.

Resources Mentioned:

2 Timothy 2

Mark 9:24; John 20; Psalm 13; Acts 17:10–12; Proverbs

Desiring God (John Piper)

Ask the Pastor with J.D. Greer (podcast)

Episode Title: Rightly Handling Scripture (2 Timothy 2:14–19)
Length: 61:18 minutes
Hosts: Noah Wagner & Seth Pippin

Overview

This episode unpacks Paul’s instructions to Timothy on teaching faithfully, avoiding petty disputes, and guarding the church from false teaching—all while resting in God’s firm foundation.

What’s Inside

Coffee banter: fall lattes, Florida humidity, and why matcha gets a thumbs down.

What “a good cup of coffee” means: charitable discussions on tertiary issues.

Tiers of doctrine: primary (salvation), second-tier (denominational practices), tertiary (friendly debate).

2 Timothy 2:14–19 study highlights:

Avoid “word wars” that hurt hearers.

Rightly handle the Word—cut it straight, not crooked.

False teaching spreads like gangrene.

Hymenaeus & Philetus: how their errors harmed others.

God’s foundation remains secure: “The Lord knows who are his.”

Next Episode

2 Timothy 2:20–26 — continuing Paul’s charge to Timothy.

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