Introduction:

Fire is a perfect metaphor for the intensity of passion and purpose in life. The truth is all fires eventually become small because they burn up the fuel available to them. Just as true is the fact that every small fire can eventually become big again if it is stirred and poked, rearranged, and more fuel is added. All of us have times, areas, and relationships in our lives in which the fire needs to be rekindled. Yet, we don’t always know how to fan the flame.
Read 2 Timothy 1:1-12

Discussion Questions:

1. Who do you know that lives with sustained intensity? What keeps their fire going?
2. What things tend to douse your flames? What areas of your life could use some rekindling?
3. Can understanding your life’s purpose is part of a larger purpose fan the flames? How? How does your life’s mission fit into the larger mission of Jesus Christ?
4. Paul encourages Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God in him. What are your God given gifts? (If you don’t know, ask the group to point some out.) How do you use them?
5. Read 2 Timothy 1:5. Who are the people who have passed the torch on to you?
6. Perhaps the most important way to rekindle is to remain close to the source of the fire. What things put you in closer proximity to God, the source of power, passion, and intensity?

Letting it sink in:

Memorize 2 Timothy 1:6-7

Taking Action:

What is one thing you have discussed that you could focus on putting into practice this week?

Sending into the mission:

Dear God, we are thankful that we do not have to light a fire in the world because you have already done this in Jesus Christ. We simply admit that we need that fire to be rekindled in us. Forgive us for when we have doused the passion and intensity of our lives with unbelief, sin, overextension, and selfishness. We ask you to help us—to show us the cold embers in our lives and how to rekindle them. We commit to taking up our responsibility to fan the flames. Send us into the world with a fire that comes from you at work in us and sustain that fire so that we may transform the world in your name. Amen.