For your consideration…  What type of impression do you leave with others -- based on your words and actions?  What type of influence are you providing for others?  What sorts of examples are you setting for others?  Are you a worker?  Are you willing to do whatever is asked of you?

For your consideration…  Are you diligent in all manner of service to the Lord?  Are you willing to endure persecution for righteousness sake?  How would you like to be a better encourager to others?  Are you in need of encouragement tonight?  How is your faith holding up right now?  Would you like to grow in faith and courage?

“Introducing Timothy” (Acts 16; 1 & 2 Timothy)

“Introducing Timothy”  With tonight’s lesson, we are going to be introducing the young man Timothy; talking a bit about his background, what he was to do, & what some of overall (main) lessons of the books of 1 & 2 Timothy are.  For tonight, be thinking about just how useful studying the letters to Timothy can be. Also, consider what type of person God says Timothy was.

Acts 16:1-5 (NKJV) “Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.”

Acts 16:1-5  He was from Lystra (which was in Galatia).  He was a Christian.  He was a young man.  He probably knew of (or even witnessed) Paul’s stoning a few years prior.  He was brought up in the training and admonition of the Lord by a Jewish mother and grandmother.  He had a great deal of courage and faith to agree to go traveling with the Apostle Paul.

The book of 1 Timothy  The books of 1Timothy and Titus were likely written around A.D. 63.  Paul had already written all of his other letters to various Christians, including the prison epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon).  After his release from his two year stay in Rome as a prisoner, Paul went to Macedonia and left Timothy in Ephesus (1Tim 1:3), to do the work of an evangelist (2Tim 4:5).  Prior to this, you’ve got more than a decade of Paul and Timothy working together and traveling to different places with each other.  Paul had used him over and over as his special messenger (Acts 18:5, 1Thess 3:1-6; Acts 19:22; 1Cor 4:17; 16:10-11).

The book of 1 Timothy  He was one of the group of men who made the trip to Jerusalem to take the gift to the saints (Acts 20:4).  He also joins Paul in the greeting of six of his epistles (1 Thess, 2 Thess, 2Cor, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians).  Paul describes him as “my beloved and faithful child in the Lord”, (1Cor 4:14).  Paul had no one else who was such a kindred spirit, serving as a child with his father (Phil 2:19-23).  The two letters that Paul writes to Timothy, as his own life draws to a close, show that Timothy is a faithful servant, ready to do whatever needs to be done.  The book of 1Timothy is a personal letter from an older preacher to his younger protégé’… but it is also a very practical book for every child of God.

The book of 2 Timothy  Paul would go on to write Titus in between the two letters to Timothy. But then, at the time of his second letter to Timothy, he was back in prison and expected to be executed soon (2Tim 4:7).  It is widely accepted that there was an outbreak of persecution under Nero that began in A.D. 64, and that precipitated Paul’s 2 nd letter.  2 Timothy is the last letter that we have in which the Apostle Paul wrote before his execution.  The theme of 2Timothy is: – Timothy, no matter what happens, or if others are unfaithful, please remain faithful! (2Timothy 3-2:13)

The book of 2 Timothy  The theme of 2Timothy is:  Timothy, no matter what happens, or if others are unfaithful, please remain faithful!  Look to the good examples of others who have endured similar trials (2Timothy 1:8-11); cling to faith in Christ Jesus (2Timothy 1:13-14); cling to teaching you’ve been given through the scriptures by various faithful individuals (2Timothy 1:5; 3:14). Prepare for the Master’s use (2Timothy 2:14-26) Cling to that faithful word, relying on the scriptures (2Timothy 3:15-17), and be a contrast to the unfaithful (2Timothy 3:1-17)!

Take home lessons for tonight…  Timothy was a young man who allowed the preaching of God’s word to make an impression upon him.  He was a young man who was well-spoken of by his brethren in the area.  He made a positive impression on Paul; to the point in which Paul thought him worthy be active in the Lord’s work.

Take home lessons for tonight…  Timothy was willing to travel with Paul knowing that persecution would come.  Timothy’s faith and courage are a great example for us!  Remember your responsibilities; guard what has been committed to your trust!  No matter what happens, or if others are unfaithful, please remain faithful!!

“Introducing Timothy” (Acts 16; 1 & 2 Timothy)