Character Study of Timothy LESSON ONE: Introduction

LEARNING ACTIVITY Talk to the person seated next to you and ask them To give examples of young people who were used by God in the Bible? Are youths used by God today?

Background Place in History: Assisted writing six books of the Bible Participated in the second missionary journey of the church (Acts 16). Special traits: His mother was a Jew and his father was a Gentile.

First, they go to nearby I·coʹni·um, then to a second city named Antioch. After that they travel up to Troʹas, then over to Phi·lipʹpi, Thes·sa·lo·niʹca and Be·roeʹa. After that they spend a year and a half preaching in Corinth. Finally they make a short stop in Ephʹe·sus. Then they come back by boat to Caes·a·reʹa, and travel up to Antioch, where Paul stays.

Weaknesses Possibly Timid; Not commended for his boldness 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 2 Timothy 1:7-8 (NIV) 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self- discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

Background Acts 16:1-2 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy , the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium.

Background 2 Tim 1:4-5 4 longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.

Mentored and Coached By Paul Acts 16:3-4 3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe.

His Training Apparently trained by mother and grandmother 2 Timothy 1:4-5 (NIV) 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV) 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Trained by Paul 1 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV) 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. 2 Timothy 3:10-11NIV) A Final Charge to Timothy 10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

Assistant writer of 2 Cor 1:1, Phil 1:1, Col 1:1, 1 Thess 1:1, 2 Thess 1:1, Philemon 1:1 Missionary Acts 16:3,4 Messenger 1 Cor 4:17, Phil 2:19-23, 1 Thess 3:6 Teacher 1 Tim 4:6,11,13,16 Preacher 2 Tim 4:2 Evangelist 2 Tim 4:5

Timothy was sent to the Philippian church to check on their spiritual condition. 19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.

Example of Timothy 2 Timothy 2:24(NIV) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Paul highlights six areas that Timothy had to be an example In Speech (From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks). In your conduct. In love. In spirit. (Example of Kathryn Kuhlman who took people to her spiritual level). In faith. If you are not living it, you can’t teach it. In purity – If there is sin in your life it will come out sooner of later and the youth will pick it up.

Strengths: Reputable                           Acts 16:2 Supportive                         Acts 18:5, Phil 2:22 Unselfish                             Acts 18:5, Phil 2:20- 22 Humble                              Acts 18:5, Phil 2:22 Servant                               Acts 18:5, Acts 10:22, Phil 2:22 Worker                              Rom 16:21; 1 Cor 16:10; 1 Thess 3:2; Philemon 1; 2 Tim 2:15 Beloved                              1 Cor 4:17, 2 Tim 1:2 Faithful                               1 Cor 4:17, Phil 2:22

Teacher                              1 Cor 4:17; 1 Tim 1:3,5; 1 Tim 4:6,11,13,16; 1 Tim 6:17,18; 2 Tim 2:2 Well Trained                       1 Cor 4:17 “just as I teach” 1 Cor 16:10 Genuine Concern                Phil 2:20 Strengthener                       1 Thess 3:2 Encourager                         1 Thess 3:2 Strong Faith                        1 Thess 3:2; 2 Tim 1:5; 1 Tim 4:12; 2 Tim 3:10

Trusted                               1 Tim 6:20 Knowledge of Scriptures    2 Tim 3:14,15 Speech                               1 Tim 4:12 Conduct                             1 Tim 4:12; 2 Tim 3:10 Love                                  1 Tim 4:12; 2 Tim 3:10 Purity                                 1 Tim 4:12 Patience                             2 Tim 3:10 Perseverance                      2 Tim 3:10