Timothy

Summary

Timothy was brought up by a believing mother and an unbelieving father.
Paul trusted Timothy to strengthen the Macedonian churches, and later to do the same for the Greek churches.

Paul commends Timothy to churches Paul hasn’t visited yet, as well as to churches they established together. Timothy was an adult when Paul took him along. Paul calls Timothy his son in the faith. Paul continued to develop Timothy’s ministry skills and personal character for the rest of his life.

Timothy persevered in difficulties and in ministry after Paul died. Paul invested much time working with Timothy. Jesus promised that those who give up family for his sake will receive one hundred times in return, and this is shown to be true in the lives of Paul and Timothy.

Scripture References

  • Timothy: Acts 16.1-4

  • Family Background: 2 Tim 1.5

  • Taught the Scriptures: 2 Tim 3.15

  • Silas and Timothy: Ac 17.14, Ac 18.5, 1 Th 3.1, 1 Th 3.6, Ac 19.22, 1 Cor 16.10

  • Fellow worker with Paul: Rom 16.21, Phi 2.19-23

  • Beloved son in the faith: 1 Cor 4.17, Phi 2.22, 1 Tim 1.2, Heb 13.23

  • Paul’s exhortations: 1 Tim 1.3, 1.18-19, 3.14-15, 4.6-8, 11-16, 5.1-3, 5.20-23, 6.11-14, 20-21

  • Pauls’ exhortations: 2 Tim 1.6-8, 13-14, 2.1-3, 14-15, 22-23, 3.14-15, 4.1-2, 5, 9, 21

    Discussion Questions

    1. Was Timothy a replacement for Mark?

    2. What qualifications did he have?

    3. Was Timothy the son Paul didn’t have?

    4. For those who have been living a victorious Christian life for a greater number of years:

      1. Have you actively sought to develop relationships with Christians who could learn from your experience?

      2. What are you doing to develop the personal character and ministry skills of people who want to learn from you?

      3. If you have mentored someone previously, what did you learn from them?
    5. For those who have been living a victorious Christian life for a smaller number of years:

      1. Have you actively sought to develop relationships with Christians who could help you develop your personal character and ministry skills?

      2. If you have been mentored by someone in the past, what did you learn from them?
    6. For those who have recently become Christians:

      1. Are you involved in a discipleship relationship with another Christian who is more mature in the faith?
    7. In what ways can you relate to Timothy as a person and as a follower of Jesus?

    8. Have you ever known someone who had one or more of the positive characteristics that Timothy demonstrated?

    9. What effect did they have on the people they interacted with, particularly with the fellowship they participated in?

    10. What appeals to you about the story of Timothy?