The Glenwood post., 1923-09-20
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 20
TIMOTHY A GOOD MINISTER OF
CHRIST JESUS

Ls4o-IGs IL ILL., 1.l-b, IL Tim, S:l4-l0.
GOLDEN TEXT-"Be thou an exam
pie of the believers, in word, in con-
versation, in charity. in spirit in faith,
in purity."-I Tim. 412.
PRIMARY TOPIC-A Boy Who Loved
the Bible.
JUNIOR ToPIC-Tlmothy. Paurs
Helper.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Timothy Trained to Serve.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Christian Ministry as a Life
Work.
I. Timothys Parentase (Acts 1e:).
His father was Greek and his
mother a believing Jewess. On his
mothers side at least, he had godly
ancestry. Usually the mother makes
the son. Two generations Of maternal
pious grandmothers were back Of
Timothy. How thankful we ought to
be to God for a godly ancestry.
Christian heredity and training con-
stitute the essential elements for
Christian life
II. Timothy's Training Cu Tim.
1 IS; II Tim. 3:14-15).
His wise and faithful mother and
grandmother carefully nurtured him
in Gods Word. He knew the Scrip
lures from his childhood through their
training. The faith which came to
him from his grandmother through his
mother did not come through the laws
Of heredity, but through careful train
ing and teaching. Grace is not rea-
soned by the laws of heredity. The
factors involved in his training were
godly ancestors, a Christian home, and
dlligent study of the Scriptures.
III. Timothys Call (Acts 16 6:1-3).
While on Pau's second missionary
journey in company with Sias, Tim
othy was found ut Lystra near Derbe.
Perhaps he had been converted on
Paul's first missionary journey, but
hearing Il favorable report of him by
the brethren, Paul took and crcum-
cised him so as not to offend the
Jews, because his father was Greek.
This was not contrary to the decision
Of the Jerusalem council. 1t was
case where conciliation could be made
without compromise of truth. From
this time to the end of Paul's life, he
and Timothy were boon companions.
They We're as loving father and
dutiful son.
~. Timothy's Character Reticent-
l. OF Retiring Disposition. III
Tim. 1:6. Timothy had received gift
from God at the hands of the apostle,
but it needed to be stirred up, that is,
famed into a flame. Such tempera-
ment would mature in touch with a
great personality like Paul. 1t is high
ly important that everyone store up
the gift which God has given unto him.
.. Courageous II Timothy 2:1-S.
Having been stirred up, he was freed
from the spirit of fear and deliberately
identified himself with Paul In his
sufferings and trial. Courage is great
ly needed in doing the Lords work.
3. Faithful He tarried in the diff
cult field of Ephesus through many
years, He was the only man Of the
needed fidelity to minister to the Phil
ippians. philippians 2:2O). The Sc
cret of his faithfulness in such a posi-
tion was his fidelity to the Word of
God.
v. Timothy's Ministry.
l. AS fellOw-missionary with Paul.
(Phil. 2:22).
.. As pastor of a church at Ephesus.
Here he labored for many years tact
fully meeting the difficulties of that
great church. The Christian minister
should believe in the Scriptures as
Gods Word and be able to rightly di-
vide 1t so as to meet the needs Of
those who hear him. This is the only
way to meet the difficulties that arise
in the pastors labors.