The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Day 358: From Rebellion to Faithfulness
Date: December 24, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Scripture Readings: Jude; 2 Timothy 1–2; Proverbs 31:1–7

Episode Overview

On Day 358 of the Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through the letter of Jude, the opening chapters of Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy, and a passage from Proverbs 31. The primary theme of the episode, "From Rebellion to Faithfulness," is the persistent biblical call to reject rebellion against God, embrace faithfulness, and hold fast to the gifts God has given. Fr. Mike reflects deeply on the dangers of leading others astray, the vital legacy of faith within families, the steadfastness required to endure hardship, and the unchained, transformative power of God's Word.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Letter of Jude: A Call from Rebellion to Faithfulness

[13:45–18:40]

• Jude, identified as a relative (“adelphoi”) of Jesus and brother of James, writes to unnamed communities facing immorality and rebellion (14:30).
• Jude draws on extensive Old Testament and extra-biblical Jewish examples: Israel’s wilderness rebellion, the angels who rebelled (Genesis 6), Sodom and Gomorrah, Cain, Balaam, Korah, and even the Testament of Moses (15:15).
• Fr. Mike highlights Jude’s warning that sin and rebellion often “corrupt other people; our behavior amplifies and goes out from us” (16:00).
• The letter addresses not only those who rebel but also those who lead others into rebellion—a critical responsibility for believers.
• Jude’s message is urgent: destruction is the end for the unfaithful, but his call is to conviction, not condemnation. “God doesn’t want you to be destroyed… I’m calling you back to faithfulness because God actually loves you” (17:20).
• Memorable benediction:

  “Now to him who is able to keep you from falling… to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (17:50)

• Main takeaway: Open the Scriptures to hear God’s conviction and call to repentance—“Where am I in these pages? What are you trying to tell me?” (18:15)

2. 2 Timothy 1–2: Legacy, Hardship, and Unchained Word

[18:41–27:10]

• Paul’s second letter to Timothy is likely his last, written from prison—possibly in Rome before his martyrdom (19:00).
• Moving personal notes: Paul addresses Timothy as “my beloved child,” and praises Timothy’s “sincere faith [that] dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice”—highlighting the generational transmission of faith (19:50).

  “Here are Eunice and Lois, the grandmother and mother of Timothy, to be able to find their son walking in the faith.” (20:20)

• Fr. Mike empathizes with the pain experienced by parents and grandparents when children “walk away” from the faith (20:45).
• A memorable charge from Paul:

  “For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and love and self control.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7; 22:10)

  • Fr. Mike prefers the translation “fan into flame the gift of God that is within you” (22:30), underlining the need for active, ongoing engagement with God’s gifts.
• Paul addresses his own suffering and abandonment: “All who are in Asia turned away from me… I thought I had friends, but at one point everyone abandoned me” (23:20).
• Yet, the central affirmation is:

  "The word of God is not chained." (2 Timothy 2:9; 24:15)

  • Fr. Mike connects this to listeners’ own situations—hospital, nursing home, or prison—reminding that God’s word reaches everywhere (24:35).
• The “trustworthy saying” (2 Timothy 2:11–13) is highlighted:

  "If we have died with him, we shall also live with him. If we endure, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself." (25:15)

3. Practical Exhortations from Paul to Timothy

[27:11–30:00]

• Entrust what you have learned to faithful people able to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2; 27:30).
• Live like a “good soldier of Christ Jesus,” focused, resilient, and faithful (2 Timothy 2:3–4; 28:00).
• Compete with integrity (“an athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules”) and work diligently as the “hardworking farmer” (2 Timothy 2:5–6).
• Pursue “righteousness, faith, love, and peace” and avoid “stupid, senseless controversies”—serving the Lord “with gentleness,” correcting opponents in hope of their repentance (2 Timothy 2:22–25).

4. Proverbs 31:1–7 – Wisdom for Leadership

[11:45–13:45]

• The opening of Proverbs 31 delivers the advice of Lemuel’s mother—urging leaders to remain morally strong and avoid destructive habits (11:50).

  "It is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted." (Proverbs 31:4–5)

• Fr. Mike notes that wisdom literature connects closely to the themes of integrity and care found in today’s readings.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On personal legacy and family faithfulness:

  “What a delight it is when you find your children walking in the faith.” (20:20)
  “Here are Eunice and Lois, the grandmother and mother of Timothy, to be able to find their son walking in the faith.” (20:35)

• On the daily need for spiritual renewal:

  “Fan into flame the gift of God that is within you… For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but a spirit of power and love and self-control.” (22:30)

• On the enduring power of Scripture:

  “The word of God is not chained.” (24:15) “Whether you are listening to this in a hospital, in a nursing home, in a prison, it doesn’t matter. The Word of God is not chained.” (24:35)

• On loving but challenging calls to repentance:

  “I would not be an apostle of the Lord if I didn’t warn you. And that’s so important… He’s not a message of condemnation; it’s a message of conviction.” (17:30)

Important Timestamps

• Letter of Jude Reading: 01:40 – 08:50
• 2 Timothy 1–2 Reading: 08:51 – 19:55
• Proverbs 31:1–7 Reading: 19:56 – 21:00
• Reflection Begins: 21:01
• Jude’s Message & Application: 21:15 – 24:10
• Paul to Timothy: Faith Legacy & Suffering: 24:11 – 28:00
• Encouragement to “Fan into Flame”: 28:01 – 29:20
• Conclusion and Blessing: 29:21 – end

Tone & Language

Fr. Mike's commentary is warm, direct, and pastoral—combining scriptural insight with real-world empathy. He frequently uses light humor and self-awareness (e.g., poking fun at missing details or favorite lines). The tone is both urgent and hopeful, always steering listeners back to God’s faithfulness and the unbroken invitation to deeper relationship and conviction.

Summary Takeaways

• Faithfulness is the answer to a generation prone to rebellion—God calls us, warns us, and welcomes us back out of love, not condemnation.
• Spiritual legacy matters. Like Timothy’s family before him, handing down faith makes an enduring difference, though it can be painful when loved ones stray.
• Suffering, abandonment, and difficulty are not evidence against God’s call. Even “chained” apostles proclaim, “the word of God is not chained.”
• We each have a gift to “fan into flame.” Our faith must be rekindled and lived with boldness—not timidity or shame.
• Let God’s word reach and transform you, wherever you are, and let conviction—not condemnation—lead you from rebellion to faithfulness.

“God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and love and self-control.”
(2 Timothy 1:7, ~22:10)

End of Summary