Get them listening—and talking.
Too Young to Lead? A Series Based on 1 Timothy
Week 1
1 Timothy 1—2: Sincere Faith
In the opening chapters of 1 Timothy, the apostle writes to young Timothy, whom he is mentoring. It is apparent Timothy is also a leader—a disciple who has been charged with oversight of a congregation or people group. This biblical book can have a deep impact on teenagers, who may be wondering how they can lead or what voice they may have with their peers.
Paul points out that some have become entangled in meaningless genealogies, histories and past accomplishments that mean little in the new future God is unfolding (1 Tim. 1:4), but that the marks of faith are love, integrity and a sincere belief (v. 1:5). Here one might ask:
• Why do you think the apostle points to love and sincerity as the high marks of faith rather than what one knows or might be able to discover?
• Why is love and integrity still difficult for Christians?
Paul goes on to describe a long list of lawbreakers (vv. 1:8-11) but soon returns to the gospel that has been entrusted to him (v. 1:15) and the gospel that “Christ came into the world to save sinners.” (Here the leader could share a personal story of faith or an illustration of God’s grace.)
Paul charges Timothy to have faith and then notes the importance of prayer, worship and thanksgiving if we are to grow in grace (vv. 2:1-3). We are to pray for our leaders (v. 2:4).
Ask:
• What role does prayer play in your faith?
• How can we pray as a group?
• How does prayer show our sincere faith?
Week 2
1 Timothy 3: Sincere Leadership
Paul turned his attention to describing the early church leadership—a portion of the letter than can seem strange or odd in its various words—but in essence, the apostle describes the nature of leadership and what is required of those who seek to lead God’s people in their various roles. Paul mentioned at least three types of leadership here.
An overseer—perhaps anyone who is charged with leading a small group or serving as a voice for others. Youth will glean much from looking specifically at these qualifications and qualities and discussing them (vv. 3:1-7). What are these? Can you list them?
Likewise, Paul noted the importance of our own families and the leadership that is foremost in one’s own household. Look more closely at this section (vv. 3:1-7) and ask the same questions about our responsibilities as brothers, sisters, parents, children, husbands and wives. How are these described? Can we follow them? How?
Toward the end of this chapter, Paul noted those who serve as deacons (vv. 3:8-13). Again, what are the qualities of these servants (perhaps pastors and teachers)? Are there qualities and strengths that teenagers see in themselves that would lead them to consider this type of work?
Close by reading Paul’s amazing poem about Jesus (v. 3:16). What does this poem tell us about Jesus and His work? What qualities did He possess on our behalf? How can we emulate Him?
Week 3
1 Timothy 4: Sincere Promises
Paul’s overture turned to the stresses and challenges of following Jesus—first in Paul’s own time (or the early church) and then in general principles throughout time. There are stresses from the pointed observations and challenges of skeptics (vv. 4:1-5), as well as challenges within ourselves (vv. 4:6-8). Paul asked Timothy to hold fast in all sincerity to the promises of Christ—that His grace is sufficient and that Timothy need not believe old wives tales or other beliefs that would pull his attention away from true faith (the sincerity Paul described earlier).
Paul reminded Timothy not to listen to those who would look down on him because of his youth (v. 4:12) but to be a true leader and example. Then Paul asked Timothy to dedicate his work to some simple projects: reading Scripture publicly, preaching and teaching (v. 4:13).
Ask:
• Why do you think some people look down on teenagers or don’t regard them as leaders?
• How can you use these same gifts and examples today to be leaders at school or in the church?
• What are the gifts you believe God is asking you to nurture and to guard?
Week 4
1 Timothy 5 and 6: Sincere Living
The final portion of this letter describes much in the way of domestic life: how we are to treat each other in the home, in society and in our interpersonal relationships. The aged and widowed are discussed (vv. 5:1-16), as well as those who lead the church (vv. 5:17-25). Some of this advice is practical (vv. 5:22-23) and other advice spiritual (v. 5:24). Much can be gleaned from looking beyond the literal words here and migrating to our day and asking how these principles and teachings can be applied by teenagers in their lives and relationships. What do these teachings mean today?
Invite the teenagers also to reflect on their influence and impact on those who are older. How can their faith and service make a difference to the widow today, to the poor, to the neglected and lonely? Where are these people found today?
Finally, the book ends with a warning against false teachers and loving money (v. 6:10) more than faith and integrity. Paul asked Timothy once again to live a sincere life of faith—no pretense or masks. Paul described this sincere life again (v. 6:11), and much can be gleaned from a conversation about these gifts and graces. How can we apply them now?
Close your talks by inviting the teenagers to share some of the insights they have learned from 1 Timothy. Close by reading the list from 6:11.
A Talk Series Based on 2 Timothy
Life Lessons
Week 1
2 Timothy 1: The Lesson of Thanksgiving
In this second letter to young Timothy, Paul described the joy and art of Thanksgiving, as well as the importance of gratitude when it comes to leadership. In fact, Paul opened the letter in this regard (vv. 1:3-8) by giving thanks for Timothy, his family and his work. Paul reminded Timothy that he should use his best gifts, which can lead to a discussion.
Ask:
• Why do you think we often try to be good at everything?
• How can a focus on many things lead us away from those gifts that are the most prominent in our lives?
• What are your prominent gifts?
• How are you using these for God?
Consider some of Paul’s personal history in this letter and relate it as you are able (vv. 1:8-18) to your own life. Why is faith often difficult? What are some difficulties Paul noted in his own life? Why did Paul remain thankful? Why should we?
Week 2
2 Timothy 2: The Lesson of Integrity
The second chapter of 2 Timothy is one of the most remarkable passages in the New Testament. Here, Paul described Christ’s own integrity and strength (vv. 2:11-13) and then turned his attention to the type of lives that followers of Jesus Christ are to lead (vv. 2:22-26). There are many lessons about integrity here.
Teenagers will gain much from hearing some illustrations or examples of others who have endured in their faith despite personal tragedies, illnesses, struggles or challenges from others. The talk can be geared around these examples, but also brought back to the central question of integrity: How does faith impact our daily experiences and decisions?
This is really what Paul is inviting Timothy to think about here—to demonstrate that Timothy actually is sharing in the suffering of Christ—and that we can share in his suffering, too. This is a difficult but necessary step in our walk with Jesus.
Close this talk but reading aloud the poem from verses 2:11-13.
Week 3
2 Timothy 3: The Lesson of Perseverance
Paul noted the increasing tension between the faith and those who are skeptics or challengers to the faith. He believed the days are numbered for evil (vv. 3:1-9), but gave Timothy yet another charge to keep: to follow the example of Jesus and persevere in faith (vv. 3:10-11). This is never easy, but Paul used words such as endure, continue and living on to describe the way faith embraces these various challenges of life and supersedes them.
Paul described the inspiration of Scripture, which would have been understood as the Hebrew Scripture in Paul’s time (as the New Testament was not yet determined). Verse 3:16 describes the God-breathed or inspired nature of Scripture and how Scripture enlivens us to endure.
Ask:
• How does God help us endure when we feel dejected, defeated or downcast?
• What descriptions does Paul give for our faithful way of life (vv. 3:10-11)?
• What are some ways we each help each other endure in the faith?
• Why is church (youth group) important in our perseverance?
Week 4
2 Timothy 4: The Lesson of Preparation
As Paul closed the correspondence, he noted that being prepared is paramount to a successful faith (vv. 4:1-3). We would do well to live in anticipation of the rocky places of life, but also anticipate the blessings of God. We never should enter a situation or new phase of our lives (e.g., college, marriage, career) by being unprepared. Preparation involves time, attention, education and faith.
Another wonderful verse for memorization here is 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” This is a key verse for teenagers—and for all Christians.
Relate some personal examples about times when you were unprepared to meet a challenge, and share a few examples of ways and times when you were prepared. What made the difference? How did faith play a role?
The letter closes with some of Paul’s other personal conflicts, and then a prayer, followed by a blessing of grace. Perhaps a closure to this series might center on the connection between God’s grace (His unmerited favor and love that He shows us) and our own preparation to receive His grace and fulfill His work in our lives.
What are some of these connections? Where do we find evidences of God’s grace in our world? How have we personally received God’s grace?
