Written by Paul J Bucknell on June, 04, 2025

2 Timothy 2:2 The Plan of Discipleship: Discover how to initiate and sustain a discipleship program

A.) Content of the Gospel  – “And the things”  (2 Timothy 2:2)
B.) Training of Others  – “which you have heard from me in the presence of many …,” 
C.) Teachability of our Hearts – “these entrust to faithful men,”
D.) Reproduction of Disciples  – “who will be able to teach others also.”

The Urgency of Discipleship

The urgency of discipleship grows as we understand the significant damage the church is suffering from the lack of God’s truths in His people. Those who have been Christians for a while will have observed a strange phenomenon: dying churches. If the gospel is so grand, then why do God’s people tend to fall away from the faith in just a generation or two?

This trend persists even after revivals. A revival, by definition, occurs when many people come to know Christ on a deeper level. Significant transformations take place in their lives. As the number of individuals who change and come to know the Lord increases during the movement, the revival’s impact on the surrounding culture grows stronger. The first generation that deeply knows the Lord is followed by later generations whose hearts have become careless and insensitive toward Him.

The Falling Away Due to lack of Discipleship

The falling away of God’s people from God’s grace has become so commonplace that it can be clearly traced back to the book of Judges (Judges 2:10-19; 3:10-17). God’s people are revived once they cry out to God. But why do they fall away?

Are we any different? How many of you are first-generation Christians (the first in your family to know the Lord)? How many are second? Third or more generations? Has this tendency to drift from God affected you? Do you pray for 20 minutes each day? Do you repent for your love of worldly things?  

Satan has a plan to ensnare you. He may already have some of you caught in his diabolical scheme. His clever plot has destroyed Christian families, churches, and nations. Don’t get me wrong; Satan can’t do this overnight. First-generation Christians are praying zealously. The evil one can’t touch them. He has to be subtle and bide his time. 

We observe the same pattern in New Testament churches. Doesn’t the Book of Revelation highlight how the light in various local churches was on the verge of being extinguished?

“But I (Jesus) have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lampstand out of its place – unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:4-5)

The same pattern occurs in Christian student groups. The only difference is that the generations develop more quickly! You only have four years to be born, grow, and reproduce. However, the same dangers exist. I wish I had more time to analyze this more thoroughly with you. They have unique factors at work that differ from the above.

So what method does the Prince of Darkness use to contain this burst of light? Your answers of compromise, worldliness, and distraction are correct. However, like many others, we will miss out if we fail to recognize the underlying problem. By identifying the foundational issue, the solution will be readily apparent.

So what is the secret weapon that Satan uses to bring down the greatest fortresses built by the Spirit of God? I believe it is the lack of proper discipleship. After all, this is what Jesus told and equipped His disciples to do: make disciples. Zealous Christians have often misunderstood how to pass on their faith to succeeding generations. They mistakenly assume that those who come after them will share the same zeal and understanding. However, this is not the case, and that assumption hampers their willingness to teach and train others. This issue is also present within families. Parents expect their children to instinctively understand their desires, yet they must offer step-by-step guidance to help them comprehend the process.

Of course, if Christians would simply obey the Lord’s command to “make disciples,” this problem could be avoided. The fact is that not many people, including pastors and teachers, have thought through what it means to make disciples or why Jesus made this His last charge.

Many new Christians are baptized, but most are not specifically trained to understand what it means to be a godly Christian, leaving many unaware that they remain worldly. The passion of the first generation of Christians has not been passed on. Ultimately, form—rather than fervor—is what gets transmitted.

True discipleship, however, always reflects a heart focused on fulfilling the Lord’s desires. They value both motivation and obedience. Let’s examine today’s passage in 2 Timothy 2:2 to gain a deeper understanding of how to make disciples.

And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Jesus commanded us to make disciples. Paul has succinctly provided us with the plan of discipleship. It is not complicated, but essential. Remember that our success or failure depends on how well we adhere to this pattern. We are not creating a new method but only revealing what has always been clearly articulated in the scriptures. As you study, keep asking, “Why does discipleship help protect a church from decay?”

We need to fully understand the four important components of 2 Timothy 2:2.

1) Content of the Gospel

"And the things"

“And the things” sounds like it violates every rule of writing good sentences. What is the Apostle Paul describing here with such a generic phrase? If anyone has read through 2 Timothy, they will clearly understand what “the things” are. Paul speaks about them early on in his letter to Timothy.

2 Timothy 1:10 says briefly that “the things" are the gospel. In 2 Timothy 1:13 and 14, he explains more clearly,

“Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”

Paul says it is “the standard of sound words.” In the next verse, he continues and tells Timothy to guard this treasure. These teachings were entrusted to Timothy. They are passed on to anyone who receives them, much like a family heirloom. The things summarize all of Christian teaching and its benefits to God’s people.

Application

Perhaps we need to pause here and ask what those things are that God has passed onto us. Do we know Him? Have we been as dutiful in learning His truth as we are in keeping up with the movies? Am I teachable? What have I learned? What more do I need to learn? What is He trying to teach me now?

This is a series of very loaded questions to which each of us is fully accountable before God to answer. You can put off these answers, but God will ultimately confront you. Are “the things” in you? Are you teachable?

Jesus summarized His teachings through an ultimate love for God and devoted love for those around us. Now, let’s look at the second phrase.

#2 Training of Others

“Which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses”

Paul is speaking about the need for Timothy to talk only about what has been spoken to him. This has several aspects.

• The Need to be Communicated
  The gospel must be shared with others. It should be communicated effectively. We can use various means, including radio, television, personal conversations, and the internet.
• Pre-defined; no Modernism
  Paul advises Timothy not to get caught up in the recent changes in doctrines. Many false teachings were circulating. Timothy should remain true to what was passed on to him.

One false doctrine that seems to attract some today is the idea that God is evolving. This notion is outright pagan. Behind this heresy and insult to God lies the belief that God improves as humanity’s understanding of God improves. This philosophy harks back to ancient times when there was little distinction between God and man, with God serving merely as a reflection of human thought. This is a false God.

• Mutual Accountability

Paul wasn’t around to keep a check on Timothy. Timothy was a pastor who spent a great deal of time with the Apostle Paul, yet he was accountable to others who had also heard what he heard. This shows how a pastor should humbly work with the elders and leaders of the church.

• Taught Many
  Paul the Apostle didn’t keep all his eggs in one basket; he was wise enough to know that he needed to teach many others. Timothy was not the only one listening and being trained.

Behind these statements lies a powerful theme.

“Our success is only as great as we faithfully pass on God’s truths to those around us.”

Application

Perhaps we can pause here and search our hearts. Do we take pride in being free thinkers? Do we prefer to reflect on our own thoughts or on God’s thoughts? Are we secretly or openly ambitious about being popular? Paul is calling us to join the army of Christian soldiers, where we all must go through the same boot camp. We need to train ourselves to regularly feed on the Word of God. We need to know God’s Word thoroughly.

We can also ask, “Are you discipling anyone?” Is your life characterized by a passion to invest what God has taught you into the lives of others? You might object that you are not like the Apostle Paul, but let’s examine this passage a bit more closely. Timothy wasn’t born a pastor; he was raised by a pagan father. Paul spent time with Timothy, and his life was transformed.

Paul wasn’t just teaching Timothy. We often think that if we have a good pastor, everything will be fine. No, Paul taught others alongside Timothy. He wasn’t merely training a pastor; he was training the flock of God. Everyone needs to understand God’s Word. Everyone needs to share God’s truths with others. We must be faithful to those entrusted to us around us. Paul indicated that his reward depended on how well he nurtured the people of God.

“For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.” (1 Thess 2:19-20)

I agree that Paul, as an apostle, had a special responsibility to build up those under his care. He was accountable. His success depended on the faithfulness of those under his guidance. A parent, however, is responsible for their children. A husband for his wife. An elder for the flock. A cell leader for the members. Our crown and joy is the faithfulness of those we oversee. Do you feel we need to pray more for God’s grace instead of treating our responsibilities lightly?

Let’s now look at the process of discipleship.

#3 Teachability of our Hearts

"These entrust to faithful men"

“These” refers to “the things” mentioned in point one, the truth of God. Our success in life ultimately depends on how well we can convey God’s truth to others. Satan attempts to hinder us from recognizing the significance of these truths. We should eliminate a few obstacles before we proceed and explain this verse further.

* “Men”

Women may conclude that they don’t have a responsibility for discipling. However, this is not what Paul intended. Timothy was actually ministering to men. The pattern is as follows: men to men; women to women. This does not imply that women should not train. Titus 2 clearly outlines how older women are to train younger women.

* “Faithful”

We sometimes wonder why we should not disciple everyone. Some are even offended by this. Paul instructs Timothy to guard the truth by seeking out those who are teachable and entrusting them with the Gospel. Faithful individuals are defined by how they live out their faith. We need to prioritize our training with those who are faithful, those who actually respond to what we are teaching.

* “I am not a pastor.”

Others may excuse themselves from the responsibility of making disciples because they are not pastors. God knows you are not a pastor. Here, Timothy is a pastor and is being held accountable for this responsibility. This particular role, however, is not exclusively assigned to pastors. Ephesians 4 states that a pastor/teacher’s special function is to equip God’s people for ministry. In essence, they are to provide regular Christians with the tools they need to disciple others. This is further clarified in the Great Commission. God’s church is to be mobilized into a great disciple-making army. “Go and make disciples!”

With these matters addressed, let us examine what Paul is instructing Timothy. Timothy was to take what Paul had taught him and entrust it to others. The word "entrust" means to set before. This term appears in several different verses in the scriptures. (Luke 9:16; 10:8; Acts 17:3; 20:32; 1 Co 10:27; 1 Ti 1:18; 2 Ti 2:2; 1 Pe 4:19)

“And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the multitude.” (Luke 9:16)

It simply means to present before another for use. Depending on various contexts, the word can be translated into different English terms. It means to pass something to another in a way that, when received, it is deemed valuable. 1 Peter 4:19 says, “Entrust your souls to God.” We bring our troubled states before God in a way that assures us He is safely holding and caring for us.

Application

Earlier, we discussed receiving God’s Word. For many of you, this is a unique opportunity to ground your lives in God’s Word before entering the workforce. However, we also need to consider passing this baton to others. It is crucial that we engage in the task of making disciples.

Are you discipling someone? Are you sharing the truths that God has given you with someone who truly wants to hear them? You might ask, “I don’t know how to do this.” Let’s discuss this in relation to two kinds of people: those who have never been discipled and those who have been discipled.

1) Never been discipled.

Surprise: You might be surprised to discover how many people have never received proper discipleship. As a result, they lack an understanding of what it means and are afraid to discuss it.

Simple: First, don’t be afraid. Discipling is a straightforward process of taking the truths of God that you have internalized and intentionally sharing them with others, typically in one-on-one settings. If you have been growing as a Christian, you have something to offer to another newer or younger Christian.

Simulate: I also recommend finding a Christian you respect and asking them to disciple you. This will not only help you understand the love of Christ and the truths to be shared but also teach you how to share them with others. Additionally, consider picking up a few discipleship books and going through the lessons to explore what is being taught.

Be cautious, though. Many discipleship books tend to be individualistic and self-centered. They focus on a person’s own Christian life rather than on how they should function within the body of Christ.

2) Been discipled

If you have been discipled, then many of your excuses for not discipling others are removed. I think Paul clearly understood the issue. Many times, we waste our efforts by only training someone to perform a task. We are not teaching others to teach others. For example, do you train a person on how to love God or how they can teach others to love God? Unfortunately, the latter is not often addressed. Paul considered it, and it is today’s last point.

#4 Reproduction of Disciples

“Who will be able to teach others also.”

Reproduction is good! Any training system that does not reproduce is destined to fail. We need to incorporate reproduction into the system. God did this in His creation. Did you notice all the seeds in one juicy tomato? God has also intentionally woven this concept into the Gospel.

Copy of the Original! Paul emphasized that he wanted to begin with a strong image of the original—from Christ to Paul to Timothy and on to others. This standard of reproduction would be beneficial because it started with Christ. Timothy was to find and train faithful men. They might be reliable in just a few small things, like arriving on time, but they are indeed faithful.

Train to Reproduce! Timothy would instill in those with whom he shared the Gospel a need to teach others. When we make disciples, we must do so in a way that trains them to train others.

Consider this in the context of a local church. The pastor must identify those who show promise as teachers or trainers. He needs to reproduce his ability to make disciples. Behind this process is the excellent and Almighty power of God, who converts, saves, and sanctifies. Let His truth go forth, as it brings marvelous changes to the most unlikely candidates. Don’t move a person beyond their current understanding. Stick with the most basic truths until they begin to shine. A dud is still a dud, no matter how many times you light it. But if it starts to shimmer, then it is alive. Continue to guide them.

Multiplication! The key, as Paul has already pointed out, is that they are faithful. Jesus referred to them in the Parable of the Sower. They receive the Word of God and produce some 30, 60, and 100 fold.

“And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” (Matt 13:23)

Can you feel the excitement of multiplication? They take what is given to them and let it transform their lives. These disciples, and I hope you are among them, embrace and treasure God’s truth. Can you not see that our success relies on how well we share these truths with others?

A Plan for Discipling 100 Christians! 

Let’s see how this works in practice. It may seem impossible, but honestly, it's much easier than we think. The main problem lies in the stubbornness of our hearts and our unwillingness to obey Christ’s command to make disciples with a focused mind. We can all be part of God’s training program, and we all need to be. Some discipling will be more formal than others, but effective discipleship always requires a conscious effort. For instance, we must consistently pray for those we are training.

Most Christians can manage discipling two people at a time. Suppose we aim to disciple a group of 100 individuals. Let’s begin gradually. Only one person has the vision. This person starts by training two others. By the end of two months (8 sessions), we will have three trainees. Each of these trainees will train two more. The number of trainers will triple with each two-month session. In only ten months (5 sessions), we could have 243 trainers under ideal circumstances. {1>3>9>27>81>243 or [3^N-1] }

The success of such a process depends on the purity of what is being passed on. It will rely on how well the importance of training others is understood. We recognize that this idealistic setup doesn’t work in the real world. The point is, however, that much can be achieved in a short time if God’s people are dedicated to a task and grasp the significance of multiplication.

In fact, I do not like this simplistic one-phase discipleship. If Christians are to grow, they need to deepen their relationship with Christ. There are different levels of discipleship. At this point, we are only discussing how to initiate people into the system with basic discipleship. However, we could slightly modify it to create a more practical system. We could still limit each person to two appointments a week: one for learning and the other for training. The trainer could be training two people or training one while being trained. This model can become quite complex, but it is effective. We are making greater efforts to go deeper, as Paul did with Timothy and others.

Let’s briefly examine what this may involve. If we offer five levels of discipleship training, we can learn and teach others at the same time. Over twelve sessions, a person (the circle) can progress from not knowing the Lord to being trained at all levels.

The trainee requires their overseer to guide and accompany them during their initial experience in training someone at a specific level. Furthermore, he has successfully trained 17 others at various levels (5 + 14-2). Those who are open to learning can achieve great success under the right circumstances. This reflects Jesus’ heart. Jesus did it and wants to replicate it in our lives.

Summary and Illustration

Let’s revisit the issue we raised at the beginning. Why do churches and Christian families fade away? It is beca discipleship. They fail to present the truths of God to the next generation with care. Allow me to provide an example.

Let’s discuss a family. The father is an expert plumber who can fix anything, and he surely does. His family enjoys well-functioning pipes, replaced washers, and properly working fixtures. This is G1 (generation #1).

G2, of course, won’t face any significant plumbing issues either. Their dad comes over to help. They’ve learned a few things from him, but he tends to handle most plumbing problems himself.

G3 begins to face more challenges. G2 had many opportunities to observe G1 at work. All the tools were available. He even accompanied his dad, G1, on some jobs to eagerly watch them work, as most sons like to do. G3, however, never saw the tools that G2 had. G1 is getting older and doesn’t work much anymore. He can’t. Nonetheless, G3 has a bit more money thanks to G1’s loyalty and simply hires a plumber. As far as he is concerned, he believes the same work is being done.

In this analogy, note that the knowledge or skill of plumbing was not intentionally passed on. The skill gradually faded away. In another example, however, the plumber was deliberate about training his two sons. He used to say that even if they might not be full-time plumbers, he wanted them to be able to handle every plumbing job they might encounter. He took them on one job at a time, allowing them to work alongside him. They didn’t just observe; they participated as well. But he did one more thing. He said,

"There is one thing that I would like you to do as my sons. I want you to take this training and teach it to every son you have. There are two ways to teach. You can show him or you can show him until he can do it and then let him do it. I want the latter. Will you agree to do this? I want our family to have the best equipped houses in plumbing that ever existed. Would you join me in this vision?"

It may seem silly to discuss the vision of maintaining well-cared-for pipes; however, sharing a vision of discipling with those you mentor is certainly not silly. Jesus did it. The Apostle Paul did it. We need to do it. This distinction marks the difference between success and failure.

The issue with declining churches and families is that they do not engage in discipleship. Cell groups, sermons, and Sunday School classes often lack the essential elements fundamental to discipleship. Discipleship is more focused—perhaps akin to a seminar. It is more intimate, ideally one-on-one. By definition, discipleship is practical. It shares passion and drive along with the necessary knowledge, teaching not only what happens but also why.

The term "disciple" means learner. Discipleship is a process in which someone learns something. They apply it, leading to personal change. They become more like their trainer and wish for others to experience these benefits. As a result, they train others. The apostle said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”

Four key concepts from 2 Timothy 2🔢 Content, Training, Teachability, and Reproduction.

“And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

The success of our next generation—whether it be the church, our family, or our nation—depends on how faithfully we obey God by training others in the glorious gospel truths of Christ, so that they eagerly and excitedly teach others in the Spirit.

• Jesus commanded us to make disciples.
• Dare we ignore His last command?
• When we obey Christ, the nations will be won to Him.
• It’s time for Christ’s command to compel us to be faithful men.

Let us be faithful to His charge.

Study Questions on 2 Timothy 2:2

 

1. According to 2 Timothy 2:2, what are the four core components of biblical discipleship? Briefly describe each. 
2. Why do God’s people tend to fall away from their faith in just a generation or two?
3. What is the central reason the author gives for the decline of churches and Christian families over the generations?
4. Explain how the analogy of the plumber illustrates the need for proper training.
5. Why is mutual accountability emphasized in discipleship, especially for leaders like Timothy?
6. What criteria does Paul give for selecting disciples according to this passage?
7. Why is “faithfulness” considered so critical?
8. How can someone begin discipling others even with limited experience?
9. What is the difference between teaching a person to know God and teaching them to teach others about God?
10. How can a local church create a sustainable and multiplying discipleship model based on this passage?