Timothy - A Father's Encouragement

As we go through life as a follower of Christ, we will face many different struggles and trials, and we will be called to be leaders. And at times, we may not even see or hear the calling for us to step into a leadership role. However, we have been called to be leaders at home, in relationships, and to the lost. I believe that we can relate with Timothy in many ways. How often do we feel timid to share our faith, or unsure of our abilities to complete the task.

Acts 16:1-5

• Timothy was not a stranger to faith in Christ because his mother and grandmother shared their faith
• He is the first second generation Christian mentioned in scriptures
• His father more than likely, was an unbelieving Greek
  • This may have played a part in how and why Timothy was thought to be timid.
    • How often has our actions or in actions been a result of wanting to follow in our father's footsteps, or to make our father proud of us?
• Nothing required Timothy to be circumcised, but he did this willingly to overcome barriers that could affect his witness
  • Timothy boldly followed his calling by removing a hurdle that had not presented itself yet
• He was well thought of by the people of Lystra and Iconium

1 Corinthians 4:14-17

• Paul refers to himself as a father in the gospel
  • Referencing that he was trustworthy
• Paul refers to Timothy as his son
  • Timothy had been traveling with Paul and sharing in the faith of Jesus Christ
  • Their relationship must have drawn them close together
    • And as Iron Sharpens Iron, so do we sharpen on another
    • Who has been your Paul?

1 Timothy 1:18-19

• Paul tells Timothy to cling to his Faith and do what is right
  • It is interesting that Timothy was not a stranger to the Faith at the beginning and Paul was instructing him to cling to that same Faith.
• 1 Timothy 4:14-16
  • Paul was also reminding him about the prophecy spoken about him when the elders of the church laid their hands on him.
    • This no doubt brought great encouragement to Timothy.
    • What words has your Paul told you that brought you great encouragement?

1 Timothy 4:12

• His youth also caused Timothy to be timid in his Faith
  • How empowering those words must have been for Timothy.

2 Timothy 1:3-9

• The last writings from Paul went to Timothy, "his son"
  • We see again a father's encouragement
    • Letting Timothy know that that God did not give us a spirit of fear or timidity , but of power, love, and self-discipline.
    • How empowering it is to have your father praying for you.
  • We can all find encouragement from Paul's words as we all can relate to Timothy.

Timothy had a foundation of Faith, and a heart to follow Christ. But he struggled with a timid and reserved nature. However, Paul poured into him encouragement to fuel him to cling to his Faith. Encouragement that Christ has empowered us all to carry out our calling. We are all leaders, and we have all be equipped to complete that calling. I believe that we will all be Paul and Timothy at different times and seasons in our lives. Sometimes we will be able to lead other with encouragement and truth, and other times we will need to be Timothy and cling to our Faith and receive encouragement from others.