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.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend and leave us a review!

verview:

Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 2:8–13 reminds believers to keep their eyes on Jesus, risen from the dead and the promised Son of David. It highlights the unstoppable nature of God’s Word, the call to endure suffering for the sake of the gospel, and the trustworthy saying that holds both promises and warnings for disciples. Along the way: coffee banter, real-life mission trip stories, and practical encouragements for everyday evangelism.

Key Themes:

• Remembering Jesus: resurrection hope and messianic promises.

• The Word of God is unbound—even when Paul is chained.

• Endurance for the sake of the elect; evangelism as seed-sowing.

• Sanctification: daily growth, humility, and dependence on God.

• The “trustworthy saying”: assurance, perseverance, warning, and God’s faithfulness.

Coffee Notes:

• Fall vibes: iced chai latte with honey (no pumpkin spice… yet).

• Dark roast Peet’s + the joy of a good grinder.

• Shoutout to Fresh Grounds (still not a sponsor).

Next Steps for Listeners:

• Anchor yourself in the resurrection of Christ.

• Keep sowing gospel seeds even when it feels awkward.

• Pray for God’s heart for the lost.

• Endure faithfully, knowing Christ’s promises are sure.

Overview
Noah Wagner and Seth Pippin dive into Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1–7, unpacking Paul’s call to endure hardship, draw strength from Christ’s grace, and embrace discipline in the Christian life.

What We Talked About

Paul’s Encouragement to Reflect – Why Paul urges Timothy to think deeply and trust God for understanding.

The Paul–Timothy Relationship – More than mentorship: a father–child bond forged in suffering and faith.

Strength through Christ’s Grace – Spiritual resilience outweighs physical strength.

Paul’s Three Metaphors

Soldier: staying focused on the mission, not entangled in distractions.

Athlete: training with discipline, no shortcuts.

Farmer: perseverance and faithful labor that leads to fruit.

Generational Discipleship – Passing the gospel to trustworthy people who will teach others.

Application Highlights

Read Scripture reflectively, asking God for understanding.

Watch for distractions that pull you from Christ’s mission.

Train your heart like an athlete, prepare like a soldier, persevere like a farmer.

Trust that unseen faithfulness produces lasting fruit.

Modern Illustrations

Tom Brady’s legendary discipline as a real-life “athlete” example.

Paul’s unimpressive appearance vs. his unmatched spiritual influence.

How might God be calling you to stand unashamed—even if it leads to discomfort, rejection, or suffering?

In this episode of Good Cup of Coffee, Noah Wagner and Seth Pippin dive into Paul’s powerful words from 2 Timothy 1:8–18. Written from a Roman prison near the end of his life, Paul urges Timothy not to shrink back in fear but to boldly share in gospel suffering, trusting in Christ’s power.

What We Cover:

• Fear vs. Boldness – How the Spirit empowers believers with courage, love, and self-control instead of timidity.

• Modern Application – Why gospel boldness matters today, even when it costs us comfort or social acceptance.

• Guarding the Gospel – The call to protect the “good deposit” of truth from compromise or distortion.

• Encouragement – Standing firm, seeking accountability, and trusting the Spirit’s power to sustain us.

Whether you face persecution or just the everyday pressures to stay quiet about your faith, this passage reminds us: suffering for Christ may be costly, but it’s always worth it.

How might God be calling you to stand unashamed—even if it leads to discomfort, rejection, or suffering?

Pour yourself a good cup of coffee and join us as we dig into the background and setting of Paul’s final letter—2 Timothy. This isn’t just another epistle; it’s a deeply personal, heartfelt message written from a dark Roman prison cell, near the end of Paul’s life.

In this episode, we’ll look at:
The Setting – Where Paul was when he wrote, and why this letter carries such a weight of final words.
Paul’s Situation – Facing execution, abandoned by many, but holding firm in hope.
Timothy’s Role – A young pastor and spiritual son, carrying the mantle of ministry in a difficult season.

Whether you’re reading 2 Timothy for the first time or the fiftieth, understanding its context will help you hear Paul’s heart more clearly.

So grab your coffee, open your Bible, and let’s step into the world behind 2 Timothy.