‘The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: It’s Always Too Soon to Quit! – 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon’ by Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe – Book Review

‘The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: It’s Always Too Soon to Quit’ is Dr. Warren Wierbe’s Bible Study Guide covering 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon

Here is the biography of Dr. Wiersbe from the back cover:

Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher and the former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago.  For ten years he was associated with the Back to the Bible radio broadcast, first as Bible teacher and then as general director.  He has written more than 160 books, including the “BE” series of Bible commentaries, which have sold more than four million copies.  He and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

Here is the description of the study from the back cover:

The Christian life is not easy.   Whether we’re walking out our faith, sharing the gospel, or helping in ministry, we can become discouraged as we strive to live in Christ.  The apostle Paul understood that believers would always face challenges, obstacles, and setbacks.  The books of 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon offer a wealth of encouragement for every Christian and share an underlying, powerful theme: Never give up!

In the Introduction, Dr. Wiersbe provides an interesting observation on the Pauline epistles included in this Bible Study Guide:

Paul used the Greek word pistos (“faithful”) at least seventeen times in these three letters.  The theme runs through each chapter: Be faithful in the Word, be faithful to your task, be faithful to the people to whom you minister.  God is faithful!  But don’t get the idea that the Pastoral Epistles are only for pastors and other “full-time Christian workers.” These three letters are for every Christian, every church member.

I have added a chapter on Philemon because what Paul wrote to him fits right into the theme of this study.  Philemon faced a difficult problem with his runaway slave, Onesimus, and Paul’s counsel encouraged Philemon to be faithful to the Lord in solving that problem.

As you study these letters, I want to help you understand the ministry of the local church and also encourage you to stick with it!  If you and I are faithful to the tasks God has given us, then His work will prosper and His name will be glorified.  Could we ask for more? (p. 7)

I don’t think we can ask for more!  All of us probably need improvement in the areas of encouragement and perseverance - overcoming obstacles.  The Bible is the perfect place to learn those truths, and Dr. Wiersbe, with his servant’s heart and wealth of knowledge, is the perfect teacher to guide us along on that journey.

This book also provides sections on ‘Going Deeper,’ in which excerpts from Dr. Wiersbe’s expositional commentary on these four epistles, ‘Be Faithful.’  He also brings in information from history books. 

Dr. Wiersbe’s discussion/reflection questions are always very insightful.  Here’s one from Lesson 7: Last Word, covering 2 Timothy 3-4:

Paul challenges Timothy to preach the word and “be prepared in season and out of season” for Christ’s return.  In what way is Paul’s charge to Timothy applicable to your own life?  What does it look like, practically speaking, to be prepared for Christ’s return?  How can you “keep your head in all situations? (p. 106)

I would highly recommend ‘The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: It’s Always Too Soon to Quit’ for personal or group study.  I also think you should supplement it with the 'Be Faithful' commentary covering the same books.  My life/small group through our church is currently studying Dr. Wiersbe’s ‘Be Free: Exchange Legalism for True Spirituality,’ which studies the book of Galatians.  We are learning a lot.   

You can order this book here.

This book was published by David C. Cook and provided by the B&B Media Group, Inc. for review purposes.