Paul Wrote to Timothy

Opening

This entire month we have been learning about God’s Word and the importance of it.

Today we are looking at a letter written by Paul to his friend Timothy.

Paul loved Timothy. He was a mentor to Timothy; in fact, Paul called Timothy “my true son in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2). Paul had Timothy join him on his second missionary journey where they would travel from one place to another sharing the good news of Jesus. Timothy was also the pastor at the church in Ephesus, where we find Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

Paul wrote two letters to Timothy that we find in our Bibles: 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. This first letter that we are looking at today was written by Paul to Timothy while he was in prison. Today I want us to look at a few things Paul wrote to Timothy.

Lesson

Why Paul Wrote to Timothy

Paul wrote these letters to Timothy for this reason:

1 Timothy 3:14–15 CSB

14 I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Have you ever had someone write down instructions on what to do?

This is what Paul did for Timothy. He wrote down the way people in the church should act. This letter to Timothy applies to us as well, telling us how we should act as we are part of the church (if we are followers of Jesus).

Set an Example

Paul then goes on to tell Timothy this:

1 Timothy 4:11–16 CSB

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. 13 Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. 14 Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Notice how Paul tells Timothy: don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the other believers.

What things should they set an example in?

In the way they talk,

in the way they act and the things they do,

in the way they love one another,

in the faith that they have in Jesus,

and in the purity they have in their life.

He also tells Timothy, pay close attention to your life and your teaching!

People will watch us as Christians and see if we live the way Jesus wants us to live. They will also listen to the things we teach and tell others to do to see if we do them too.

Have you ever met someone who says all the right things and on the outside looks like they’re doing what’s right, but in reality they are really disobeying God by their actions? This is opposite of what God wants. He wants us to love Him and obey His commands.

If we say we are Christians, we must make sure that we act like Christians, and listen to what God says. Will we do this perfectly? No, not at all. But when we mess up, we need to repent of our sins, turn back to Jesus, and do what He says.

Main Point

So, what do all of these things that Paul wrote to Timothy tell us? Here’s our main point:

The Bible teaches how to live a Christian life.