SFJ Bible Reading Plan

Going Deeper

Timothy (8.22.20)

Let’s look at the preparation and ministry of Timothy.

Timothy is one of our great examples of a faithful, fruitful disciple. Timothy is most known for his being discipled and sent out by Paul. He was just a teenager, or young adult, when he met Paul. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were faithful Jewish women who raised Timothy in the teachings of the Old Testament scriptures. On his second journey, Paul invited Timothy to travel with him. One of Timothy’s primary roles was to help Paul establish churches at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. When Paul left Berea to go to Athens, he left Timothy and Silas behind, but later sent word for them to join him. Timothy was also sent to Thessalonica to strengthen the faith of the believers there.

During the three years Paul was in Ephesus teaching them about the amazing power of God, Timothy was there, too. When Paul was imprisoned in Rome for two years, Timothy was right alongside him much of the time unselfishly taking care of Paul’s needs. For over a decade, he watched Paul minister, teach the gospel, and lead the early church. This observational learning was critical for Timothy.

Paul recognized that some men in the church were teaching error about Jesus by saying that Jesus could not have been a man and God at the same time. Paul wanted to go on to visit his friends in Macedonia, but he didn’t want to leave the Ephesian church in turmoil. So, he left Timothy to teach truth to the church there while Paul went on to Macedonia. As Paul’s representative, Timothy was given the authority to order worship and to appoint elders and deacons. Paul thought he’d get back to Ephesus soon, but that didn’t happen. He was concerned about what was going on in Ephesus, so he wrote Timothy the letter called 1 Timothy around AD 64.

In 1 Timothy, we read that Paul was teaching Timothy how to contend with the false teachers, what the qualifications for a pastor/elder were, that many would prove to not endure in the faith, how the church should be organized, and that false teachers were active. This meant Timothy had to fight for the true testimony of Christ, to remember his spiritual heritage that he had learned from his mother and grandmother, to study hard, to know how to teach and rightly discern biblical teachings, to know that in the last days the sinful tendencies of man would increase, to keep preaching the word, and that the word corrects, rebukes and exhorts all believers.

Consider with me the relationship that Paul and Timothy shared. Six of Paul’s epistles include Timothy in the salutations. The most tender and moving of Paul’s letters is his last one to Timothy. He was a prisoner in a Roman dungeon when he wrote 2 Timothy in approximately AD 67. He knew he had a short time to live, so that letter is his spiritual last will and testament—his “dying wish”—to encourage Timothy and to request that Timothy join him during his final days of imprisonment.

Paul says Timothy has a “genuine faith,” the same as that which lived in his mother and grandmother. This means, Timothy didn’t preach one thing and then live another. He is faithful and a good example of one who was prepared to go make disciples. Are you being prepared? Who is discipling you? Who are you discipling? If you are a parent, then you must realize that your influence and opportunity to have a shaping impact on your kids is a tremendous call of God on your life. Just like Timothy’s mother and grandmother, we must be diligent in raising our children in the word of the Lord. The truths Timothy was taught from infancy were able to make him “wise for salvation” and they helped prepare him for the ministry God had for him.

Paul’s investment into, and discipleship of, Timothy proved to have an enormous impact on the early church. Thankfully, Paul took the time to invest in Timothy; and thankfully, Timothy was hungry to listen and learn. Are you hungry to grow in your faith and maturity? Who do you need to get together with and start pouring into? Which mature brother in Christ at your church or chapter can you ask to invest in you so that you can be fully prepared to be the disciple maker God has called us all to be in the great commission?

I leave you today with Paul’s words to Timothy in the opening of his second letter.

2 Timothy 1:13-14 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

By His grace and for His glory,

-Shepherd

Soldiers for Jesus MC

2 Timothy 3:10-17

All Scripture Is Breathed Out by God

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom¹ you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God² may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Footnotes

[1] 3:14 The Greek for whom is plural

[2] 3:17 That is, a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)

(ESV)

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Greeting

1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You

3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to¹ a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,² 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.³ 13 Follow the pattern of the sound⁴ words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

Footnotes

[1] 1:9 Or with

[2] 1:9 Greek before times eternal

[3] 1:12 Or what I have entrusted to him; Greek my deposit

[4] 1:13 Or healthy

(ESV)

1 Timothy 1:3-7

Warning Against False Teachers

3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship¹ from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

Footnotes

[1] 1:4 Or good order

(ESV)

1 Timothy 1:18-20

18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

(ESV)

1 Timothy 4:6-16

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

6 If you put these things before the brothers,¹ you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive,² because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,³ so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Footnotes

[1] 4:6 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters

[2] 4:10 Some manuscripts and suffer reproach

[3] 4:15 Greek be in them

(ESV)

Philippians 2:19-24

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s¹ proven worth, how as a son² with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

Footnotes

[1] 2:22 Greek his

[2] 2:22 Greek child

(ESV)