Equipped by Scripture

Reading from God’s Word:

2 Timothy 3:14–17 CSB

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, 15 and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Introduction

Last week we were in Ephesians 4:7-11 and saw how Christ Himself is the giver of gifts to His church.

He himself has placed leaders, teachers, and workers in the body so that the whole church might grow into unity and maturity.

And there is a truth underneath it all:

Every tool God gives us, every class we offer, every ministry we build, every leader who serves, it all depends on one thing: the word of God.

Our entire Vision 2026 curriculum is grounded in Scripture.

We grow when the Word of Christ dwells richly among us.

God’s word is the ultimate tool for equipping.

This is exactly what Paul tells Timothy in our text this morning.

Timothy was working with the church in Ephesus.

He faced all sorts of trouble.

Deception, division, false teaching, and cultural pressure.

Sound familiar?

And Paul, nearing his death, points Timothy to the one thing that would outlast every challenge:

v. 14 - continue in what you have learned.

v. 16 - all scripture is inspired by God.

v. 17 - Scripture makes us complete, equipped for every good work.

This is the foundation behind everything we do during 2026.

And this morning, we want to see why the Scriptures are God’s primary equipping tool — and what that means for this congregation as we move ahead in the coming year.

Scripture Shapes Who We Become (3:14-15)

Now, v. 14:

2 Timothy 3:14 CSB

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed.

“But as for you,…” contrasts the previous section where Paul has warned Timothy about false teachers, moral confusion, and people who look religious but deny it’s power.

In the middle of a drifting world and a compromising church, Paul urges Timothy not to follow the crowd, but to stay anchored.

And notice, where Timothy is told to anchor himself:

Not in trends

Not in personalities

Not in techniques

but in what he has learned from the Scriptures.

Timothy’s faith had not appeared overnight.

2 Timothy 3:14–15 CSB

14 You know those who taught you, 15 and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, …

Timothy’s life had been shaped: slowly, steadily, and faithfully, by the word of God.

From his grandmother Lois, to his mother Eunice, Scripture formed his thinking, his conscience, and his convictions.

This is how God works. He forms us through Scripture.

Scripture is Formational, Not Merely Informational

Paul does not say Scripture just provides us with information. He says:

2 Timothy 3:15 CSB

15 which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

The Bible shapes how we see:

God - holy, gracious, faithful

Ourselves - sinful, dependent, redeemed

The world - broken, yet redeemable through Christ

The mission - not survival, but faithfulness

The word is our equipping tool.

Our work and study in it is not just to keep us busy - it is about shaping us into Christlike people who are ready to serve.

A church that is not shaped by Scripture will eventually be shaped by something else:

culture

tradition

fear

personalities

or convenience

None of those can sustain our work of ministry.

Before God Uses Us, He Shapes Us

God does his deepest work IN US before He does his work THROUGH US.

Before Timothy could teach, correct, or lead — he had to continue in the word.

And the same is true for us. Before we talk about:

serving, teaching, encouraging

leading, mentoring, or sharing our faith

we must be people whose lives are shaped by Scripture.

So, we must individually ask:

Is the Word of God actively shaping who I am becoming?

It’s not just about what we know.

What we agree with.

But how we think, serve, forgive, and love.

If the word is shaping us, then growth will follow.

If the word is neglected, no amount of activity will make up for it.

This is where equipping begins.

Scripture is God-Breathed and God-Powered (3:16)

In the next verse, Paul moves from Timothy’s experience with Scripture to the source and power of Scripture itself.

2 Timothy 3:16 CSB

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,

“Inspired” is one of the most important words in the Bible.

Literally: “God-breathed.”

Scripture is not:

merely religious literature

human reflection about God

a collection of helpful spiritual thoughts.

The Scriptures come from the breath of God Himself.

Just as God breathed life into Adam (Genesis 2:7), He has breathed life into His word.

Scripture Carries God’s Authority

2 Timothy 3:16 CSB

16 All Scripture is inspired by God …

Paul doesn’t say some scripture…

He doesn’t say parts of scripture.

He says all of it is inspired by God.

This includes:

The parts we love

The parts that correct us

The parts that stretch us

The parts that confront our assumptions

If God is the source, then God is the authority.

And let it be known that we believe that God’s word still speaks, still shapes, and still leads His people today.

When Scripture speaks, the church listens.

God’s Word Does God’s Work

Not our verse again.

2 Timothy 3:16 CSB

16 All Scripture … is profitable …,

Profitable: “useful, effective, active.”

How is it profitable? The last part of v. 16 lists 4 ways Scripture does its work:

2 Timothy 3:16 CSB

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,

This is what we might call a full circle of spiritual formation:

Teaching - scripture shows us what is true.

Rebuking - Scripture shows us where we are wrong.

Correcting - Scripture sets us back on the right path.

Training - Scripture shapes habits of righteous living.

Every one of these requires humility.

If Scripture is God-breathed, then we don’t stand over it - we stand under it.

A church committed to Scripture will always be a growing church.

God’s word refuses to leave us where we are.

It challenges us, stretches us, and reshapes us over time.

We believe that God’s word is powerful enough to equip real people for real ministry. This is why:

our preaching is anchored in expository sermons that focus on what the scripture actually says.

our classes focus on scripture

our equipping is not personality driven or program-driven, but Word-driven.

If the word is merely inspirational - the growth is optional.

But if the Word is God-breathed, than transformation is expected.

An Important Reminder

Today our culture overflows with opinion, platforms, and voices. We need this reminder more than ever:

The power of the church does not come from our creativity, our numbers, or our strategies.

It comes from the living word of the living God.

When Scripture is honored, God works. When Scripture is neglected, equipping collapses.

Scripture Fully Equips Us for Every Good Work (3:17)

Paul will now say why God breathed out His word and what that Word is meant to produce in His people:

2 Timothy 3:17 CSB

17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

This verse captures the entire purpose of equipping.

The goal of Scripture isn’t merely that we know more — it is that we become ready.

“Complete” - Mature, Not Lacking

2 Timothy 3:17 CSB

17 so that the man of God may be complete,

This is not perfection.

This is maturity, wholeness, or readiness.

The idea is someone who is fitted for the task - not missing essential tools, not spiritually underdeveloped, not half-formed.

God does not want us to remain spiritual children, dependent on a few, fragile in faith, or hesitant to serve.

He wants a body that is growing into Christ…

sturdy, unified, and prepared.

A word shaped Christian is not easily shaken

A word shaped church is not easily sidelined.

“Equipped” - Fully Supplied for the Work

2 Timothy 3:17 CSB

17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

“Equipped” is a powerful word. It was used for:

fully outfitting a soldier

preparing a worker with the right tools

furnishing something so nothing essential is missing.

God has not called us to a work he has not already supplied us for. Scripture gives us:

what to believe

how to live

how to serve

how to correct

how to endure

how to love

If we feel unprepared, it is not because God has failed to equip, it is because we have not fully leaned into what He has provided.

“Every Good Work” - Ministry Belongs to All

Notice the scope of Paul’s language:

2 Timothy 3:17 CSB

17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

“for every good work.”

Not just preaching, teaching, or leadership… but

every act of encouragement

every moment of service

every prayer

every conversation where the truth is spoken in love

No one is sidelined

No one is unnecessary

No one is left without a role

Many Christians believe that the “equipping” here means more knowledge.

Paul says equipping means readiness for obedience.

The Bible was never meant to terminate in the classroom. It was meant to spill over into real life.

Church is not just to attend, it is a place to grow, prepare, and serve.

As We Close

If God’s Word equips me for every good work:

What work is He preparing me for next?

If God’s word truly equips us for every good work, then growth is not accidental - it is intentional.

Our entire Vision plan this year is built on that conviction.

We are not trying to reinvent the church.

We are recommitting ourselves to the tools God has always used - and placing the word of God back at the center of everything we do.

What does this look like practically:

Everyone committed to Word-Shaped Growth

Will you make the personal commitment to continue in what you have learned?

Growth happens when God’s people place themselves where the word can do its work.

That may mean:

committing to regular bible reading

re-engaging in bible classes

coming prepared to listen, learn and grow

allowing Scripture to correct, not just comfort.

A word shaped Christian is willing to be taught, corrected, and trained — because they trust scripture. are you letting the Bible shape you?

Use the Tools God is Providing You

God equips His people through intentional training.

We are offering all sorts of opportunities for you this winter to help you grow in confidence and usefulness.

Besides our regularly scheduled classes on Sunday/Wednesday…

Monday pm study on the church.

Tuesday am study on 2 Samuel.

small group studies going on.

If scripture equips us, these classes are all to help us learn how to use what God has already placed in our hands.

Everyone Moving From Knowledge to Ministry

Application means movement.

Scripture equips us for every good work - not just for discussion, agreement, or reflection.

The goal must move beyond learning - to faithful living.

Learning so we can serve

growing so we can strengthen others

being equipped so the body can be built up.

We are participants, not spectators. When each member leans into the word, the whole body grows stronger.

The Word is still at work Today

It shaped Timothy.

It has shaped the church for generations.

And it will shape us - if we continue in it.

It’s not about doing more — it’s about becoming deeper.

What place does the word have in your life?

Are just an admirer?

Or are you submitting to it?

Do you just listen occasionally?

Or do you allow it to train and transform you?

So, let me invite you to:

Place yourself where Scripture can do it’s work.

Hebrews 4:12 CSB

12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Commit to growth.

2 Peter 3:18 CSB

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.

Step into the good works God has prepared for you.

Ephesians 2:10 CSB

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

If you need prayer, encouragement, or guidance as you take that step, we are here for you.

If you’re ready to begin a life shaped by Christ through obedience to the gospel, that invitation stands as well.