Teaching Timothy's - Class Introduction

Introduction

This class will be a unique class - one to which we’re going to somewhat learn as we go. I’ve not attempted anything like this before, but I think that it has the potential to be something great! If there ever was ‘interactive’ Sunday school, this is it.

That being said, I think this sort of thing is needful. By and large I believe the church is failing to train members. The only ones that get training beyond surface level are those that go off to college - and even there it’s not guaranteed that they are necessarily being helped by the process.

That being said, even with this radical different format, it doesn’t mean that you are going to benefit either. To get the most out of this class, means that you’ll take the information home with you, meditate on it & let God guide you.

(Ill.) In the past, I’ve had people ask me where I went to school. The last time I was asked (was just the other day) I said nowhere - but that’s not entirely true. I’m going to start answering ‘HS Academy’ - it’s the best school there is! And the best teacher you’ll ever have is the Holy Ghost within you - but you have to give Him time to work! That means personal time!

A couple things that I want to point out in the text:

Continual prayer (v3)

Shame and Affliction may come (v8)

There’s a Holy calling & purpose of God (v9)

A Charge to Holy fast the words (v13)

Keep that which is committed (v14)

So the title of the course is ‘Teaching Timothy’s’ (I’m thankful that I have one of my Timothy’s here today).

The first thing that I want to look at is Our Pattern

I. Our Pattern

I’m speaking about Timothy here

He was Pliable

If I were to describe the main thing that Timothy was, was he was teachable. This seems elementary, but it’s something that is hard to come by - especially in young men.

(Ill.) Example: How ready are most teens to hear & heed their parents advice on most things? (Not very). I know that I didn’t - and while my parents weren’t Godly, they were good, and they had practical advice that would have benefited me - if I’d listened. But unfortunately, I wasn’t pliable. I could have saved myself some headache and heartache had I only listened.

If you will be pliable, I believe that while some of you are more seasoned, all of you will gain from this class.

Timothy was Pliable

It was Personal

It’s interesting as we contrast something:

1 Timothy 1:2 “Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Now contrast that with:

2 Timothy 1:2 “To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We see through these two letters that Paul’s relationship not only was personal, but it grew as well.

Those of you in this class are not strangers to me. Some I (obviously) know better than others - but I love you all dearly, and as time has gone on I have grown to love each of you more.

That being said, I want to help you do what will ultimately be the greatest aspect of your life (your life of ministry) to the best of my ability. I will be available to you to offer help, advice, bounce idea’s off of, etc.

It was a Personal Relationship

He was in a Leadership Position

People debate over whether Timothy was in the pastorate, or if he was in the same type position as Paul (one of a missionary - establishing churches, then moving on). The point is moot. Timothy was in a position of leadership regardless.

What I want you to understand, is that with position of leadership, there comes responsibilities.

So many people (even pastors themselves) look at the rights to leadership… they get to do this, or that. They look at the recognition of leadership… they’re seen as ‘someone’ in the church. But what most forget, or put on the back burner is the greatest aspect of Leadership, and that is the Responsibility of Leadership.

There’s a principle in: Luke 12:48 “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

I ASK more of leaders - especially teachers. I EXPECT more. And I there may be times where I give you reproof or rebuke that is not enjoyable in the moment. However, just like a father slapping their child’s hand away from a burning stove, it’s always for your benefit.

As we go through this course, I will be addressing everything from the manner and message we speak to the clothes we wear. Because God (and I - but mostly God) expects more out of leaders!

Timothy was in a Leadership Position

My Presumption

I am going to assume that by being in this class, that you will submit to these conditions. I will be asking a lot of you. It will require spending some time outside of the SS hour on Sunday mornings. It won’t necessarily be easy, but it will certainly be rewarding if you go all in.

So we’ve examined our Pattern and expectations. Next I want to spend a few moments on the Purpose

II. Our Purpose

So let’s consider for a moment what the purpose is

Equip you for Ministry

Each one of you has SUCH POTENTIAL for God to use in ministry. WHAT ministry aspect is maybe the biggest question for some of you right now. Maybe God has / will call you to preach / pastor. Maybe a missionary? Maybe it’s a lay speaker or Sunday School teacher? Maybe a youth group leader? I think that whatever God field of ministry God calls you to, it will involve teaching the Word of God.

This class will help equip you for that.

Train you in Exegesis

Exegesis (def) ‘to draw out’ - it’s a fancy sounding word, but it has a simple meaning.

We’re going to be engaging and practicing exegesis - which I think it probably the most difficult aspect of Biblical study. The practice is to examine the Scripture, and then pull out the meaning and application thereof.

The opposite of exegesis is eisegesis (def) to ‘put in’.

There are many Biblical doctrines that are founded on eisegesis. They are ‘reading into’ the text what they want it to mean, instead of ‘drawing out’ the meaning of the text itself.

I’ll be assigning you passages of Scripture, and you’re going to examine it and draw out ‘points’ of application to explain to another.

We’ll train you in Exegesis

Teach you to Engage the Flock

This is the presentation part.

There are some that think this aspect doesn’t matter. ‘Bless God, just get up there and tell them the truth’. Right, I get that - but there is a poor way and a great way - and every way between to convey truth.

We’re all human. We all have an enemy. While you’re conveying truth, don’t think that the flesh & Satan are going to take a backseat and let you spout away! We must as Jesus said: Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

This is something that God is still helping me refine. I don’t consider myself a professional, but I have a lot of time under my belt and I have learned and progressed over the years - and I know that I still have more to learn.

We’ll teach you to engage the flock

We’ve looked at our Pattern & Expectations, then the Purpose, lastly I want to look at the Plan

III. Our Plan

This is what you can expect from this class

Teaching

Throughout this course, there will be times (like today) that I am simply teaching you. There’s nothing going to be expected of you, save diligently listening.

We’ll be doing some teaching

Training

As I’d already mentioned, you will have some homework. I have several idea’s as to how various classes will go - We might assign Scripture, then on the next Sunday, we take turns for 10 minutes each to present the lesson that we’ve prepared. Through that I will offer some constructive comments on things so that we can refine ourselves - whether it be our material or presentation.

Listen, some of this might sting sometimes - but I wish someone would have done this for me! Instead I’d preached for years sometimes doing the same stupid things over and over without correction because no one pointed things out.

There will be training

Trail by Fire

We have 3 SS classes. Bro. Alan is heading up one - but I plan to have you rotating in and teaching some Sundays as well. You’ll be tasked to teach an entire lesson to a class - and you’ll probably mess up some, but that’s ok! We’re all human, and the only way we prevent messing up is by not trying - but that’s also how we prevent making an impact for the Cause of Christ!

Trial by Fire

Your Thoughts?

As we go through the course, I want feedback. If there’s something you’re struggling with, or would like me to address, please let me know! I will either address it individually, or if it’s warranted, we’ll teach an entire class on the subject.

Conclusion

I want to thank you all for taking this journey. I look forward to what God does with it!