5/19/13 1 & 2 TIMOTHY: GROWING UP IN THE FAITH; Week 1: Never Too Young (1 Timothy 4:11-16)

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1 & 2 Timothy: Growing Up In The Faith

Week 1: Never Too Young

May 19, 2013

 

GETTING THINGS STARTED

  • How much do your parents know and understand about teenager culture?  Use a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 saying, “they’re totally out of touch” and 10 saying, “you’d think they were still teenagers.”
  • What’s the most recent example of this “generation gap” that you and your parents have experienced?
  • Do you think your parents experienced this same challenge with your grandparents? Why or why not?

 

The culture gap between teenagers and parents is one of the challenges of growing up.  For some families, this gap is wider than others.  But no matter how wide, there will always be parts of your culture that parents don’t get, and vice-versa.  The age difference makes for a bit of separation, confusion, and humor at times.  This lesson will focus on a way you can help bridge the gap with your parents and other adults.

 

Read 1 Timothy 4:11-16 (nlt)

11Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. 12Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young.  Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

 

14Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 15Give your complete attention to these matters.  Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching.  Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

 

 

The Apostle Paul wrote 1 and 2 Timothy to his protégé, Timothy, to offer wisdom and spiritual advice that would help Timothy become an even more effective leader in the church.  Timothy was an apprentice, of sorts, to Paul, who had entrusted Timothy to pastor the church in Ephesus, part of modern-day Turkey.  Because of this, there is such a great deal of practical wisdom to be gained from these two letters, especially as it pertains to teenagers.

 

Paul has some pretty sage words of advice for Timothy.  In essence, Paul said, “Just because you’re a young guy doesn’t mean you can’t make a big impact on the world around you.”  There’s not a real strong consensus on how old Timothy was, but in the manner in which Paul speaks to him, we can assume he would be on the younger end of the expected age for someone in leadership.  As such, there were issues that could conceivably come up because of his age.  But Paul doesn’t let this serve as a crutch or hindrance for Timothy.

 

Paul encouraged Timothy to take his age, something that might have been seen as a liability, and make it an asset.  It was as if Paul was saying, “Hey, people are going to be watching you because you’re not what they expect in a leader.  Why don’t you give them something to really watch?”  Paul encouraged Timothy to set a bold example in key areas in his life.  This message is such a vital one for teenagers!  It is directly applicable and something you can readily apply to your lives.

 

Let’s spend a few minutes looking at the specific ideas the Apostle Paul shares with his young protégé Timothy in this passage.

 

 

1. Don’t listen to the critics

 

  • Without turning this into a complaint session against adults, what are some ways adults might think less of you because of your age?
  • How does it feel when someone dismisses or disregards you because you’re a teenager?
  • What are some right ways to respond to this kind of treatment?  What are some wrong ways?
  • Verse 12 would seem to indicate that the Apostle Paul was aware that Timothy, a young Christian leader, had faced obstacles or opposition because of his age.  This letter was written nearly 2,000 years ago, so how does it feel to know that the generation gap has been around for a long time?

 

When people dismiss or disregard you because you’re young, you can respond with a forgiving, merciful attitude, or you can become angry, bitter, and resentful.  God wants you to have the right attitude toward anyone who might think less of you because of your age. This may sound easier to say than do, but simply focus on your responsibilities, your personal character, and your relationship with God.  Don’t get caught in a firefight with your critics.

 

 

2. View your age as an asset, not a liability

 

  • In verse 12, Paul encourages Timothy to be an example to other Christians, and then he identifies a number of ways in verses 12 to 16 to be the right kind of example. Which habit or activity in these verses catches your attention, and why?
  • What are some contributions that you as a teenager might make to a church, a ministry, or a community that an adult couldn’t offer?
  • Now think about our differences from the other perspective.  How can you demonstrate appreciation to adults for what they offer?
  • What are some legitimate limitations or liabilities you have as a teenager, and how can you take steps to overcome or minimize these issues?
  • How does your daily life set an example for others on how a Christ-follower can live?

 

You have awesome opportunities to make a big impact for Christ.  Your life is full of chances to set an example for others, and as a teenager you contribute a level of energy, optimism, idealism, and enthusiasm that adults don’t always have.  God chose you to be born in your immediate social and cultural context.  God’s purpose for creating you was primarily to bring Him glory, but God also calls you to live as an example to others of what a vibrant, dynamic life in Christ can look like.  When you lead a Jesus-centered life, you turn your age from a disadvantage into an advantage.

 

 

3. Commit to leading a life of integrity

 

  • In verse 12, Paul tells Timothy to be an example through his purity.  Was he talking just about sexual purity, or did he mean something more?  Explain.
  • Where are teenagers most tempted by things that could be considered “impure”?
  • In verse 16, Paul encourages Timothy to remain focused on God’s truth and to live a life filled with integrity.  In other words, Timothy’s influence would be expanded if he lived a consistent life.  Why is integrity important for a follower of Christ?
  • Couldn’t you just wait until you are older to become a person of integrity?  Isn’t it OK to wait until you knew this stuff better?  Explain.

 

Paul encourages Timothy to be a person known for his integrity, his consistency in following Christ.  Consistency doesn’t mean perfection.  We all make mistakes, have areas of weakness, and seek God’s help in overcoming temptation and sin.  But if you are setting examples for others in the way you consistently follow Jesus, you will make a powerful statement to other Christians and to our culture.

 

 

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION

1 John 2:4-6 (nlt)

4If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. 5But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love Him.  That is how we know we are living in Him. 6Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

 

  • Read 1 John 2:4-6.  How does this passage relate to Paul’s words to Timothy we’ve just studied?

 

Proverbs 12:18 (nlt)

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

 

  • Read Proverbs 12:18.  Do you think this verse is more difficult for teenagers to obey and apply than for adults?  Why or why not?

 

  • Why are words so powerful?  Think in terms of positive and negative power.

 

  • What are specific ways a follower of Christ can use his or her words to honor God and set a God-honoring example?

 

APPLICATION

  • Think about the specific areas Paul identified in 1 Timothy 4:12—your speech, your day-to-day life, your love, your faith, and your purity.  In which area are you doing best right now?  Where are you most struggling, and what steps could you take to grow in this area?

 

  • What steps can help you become a person known for your integrity?  What habits would help you become more consistent in how you follow Christ?

 

  • How can you encourage one another to have the right attitude when people think less of you or other teenagers because of your age, without becoming angry or resentful toward adults?

 

 

SUMMARY

Sometimes adults inadvertently communicate to teenagers that their “real” life lies out ahead of them somewhere.  They put so much focus on your future—college, marriage, career—that they lessen the impact of “today.”  Teenagers have every bit of impact potential that adults have, and perhaps more because of their energy, idealism, and enthusiasm.  This lesson challenges us to make the most of our potential by setting an example for others.

 

 

For Keeps [Memory Verse]

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity (1 Timothy 4:12 NLT).

 

 

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