Being An Example

Being an Example

Q: Which of these is not a way Paul told Timothy to be an example?

• a. strength
• b. speech
• c. faith

Timothy was a young pastor and missionary. Sometimes people didn’t listen to him or respect him because he was younger than many of the other Christian leaders. But Timothy loved God, and he served the Lord enthusiastically.

Paul told Timothy not to let anyone look down on him because he was young. He encouraged Timothy to be an example to others in speech, actions, love, faith, and purity. If Timothy did those things, people would respect him and look up to him no matter his age or theirs.

• Timothy set a good example for others in his speech. He spoke the truth of Jesus boldly to those who needed to hear it.
• Timothy was an example in his actions. He didn’t want anything he did to harm his Christian testimony.
• Timothy was an example in his love for his fellow believers and for God. The Bible says that Christians will be known by their love, and Timothy lived that out.
• Timothy’s example of faith was well known. He had a background in Jewish religion, and he quickly accepted the message of Jesus and began sharing it with others. The people in his city knew him as a young man of God.
• Timothy set an example of purity. He lived in a way that would honor God, not impress the people around him. Timothy lived in a way that pleased God, whether anyone was watching or not.

Even though the advice was given to Timothy, it belongs to all of God’s children. God wants us all to be examples in the way we live, talk, and love.

For You

Others watch you every day. If someone decided to follow your example, would that be a good thing? Why or why not?

Answer: a

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

(The Whole Story: 1 Timothy 4:6-16)