Leaders for the Church Contents SECTION 1: Good Relationships (1 Timothy) 1. Encouraged to Faithfulness........................................... 2 2. The Importance of Prayer and Study.................................. 6 3. Mutual Respect Among Christians.................................... 10 4. A Contented Life..................................................... 14 5. Review and Quiz 1................................................... 18 SECTION 2: Sound Teaching (2 Timothy) 6. Take Courage........................................................ 19 7. Be Strong............................................................ 23 8. Victory in Dangerous Times........................................... 27 9. Finishing Life in Victory............................................... 31 10. Review and Quiz 2................................................... 35 SECTION 3: Everyday Christianity (Titus, Philemon) 11. Qualities of an Elder.................................................. 36 12. Sound Doctrine...................................................... 40 13. Maintaining Good Works............................................. 44 14. Restoring Relationships.............................................. 47 15. Self Check........................................................... 51 16. LightUnit Test........................................................ 54
6 Take Courage Read Your Bible Read 2 Timothy 1 Write your initials on the line when you have finished reading the passage. Circle the letter of the answer. 1. Which of the following best expresses Paul s attitude toward Timothy? Paul considered Timothy his most faithful relative and so prayed for him daily. Paul thought that Timothy needed to be more courageous and active, so he prayed often for him. C. Paul wanted Timothy to be faithful like his mother and grandmother. D. Paul deeply loved Timothy as his spiritual son and prayed for him night and day. 2. Where was Paul when he wrote 2 Timothy? 3. Onesiphorus was a helpful man with a servant s heart. Paul used an interesting word, refreshed, to describe the blessing Onesiphorus was to him. Look up this word in Strong s Concordance and write its meaning. ANALYZE THE BIBLE READING Timothy s father was a Gentile and probably not a follower of Jesus. However, Timothy s mother and grandmother were Christians. They were thoroughly convinced that salvation came through Jesus, and they taught Timothy about their faith. A child with even one parent who believes in Christ has a tremendous blessing many children never know. When parents love God, they tell their children about Him. Through their lives, they show their children how to live for Jesus. They pray for their children and guide them in the way of truth. Children should be grateful for the people in their lives who have told them about Jesus. Timothy s mother and grandmother had given him a foundation of faith in Christ; Paul helped him mature in his understanding. Not only did Paul inspire and guide Timothy, but he also prepared Timothy for leadership and later ordained him. God uses men to prepare other men for service. God used Paul to bestow a spiritual gift of ministry on Timothy when the apostle laid his hands on Timothy and ordained him. 19
Lesson 6 In 2 Timothy 1 the apostle encourages Timothy to rekindle his gift. Paul does something very important for Timothy in showing him that he could depend directly on God, who is greater than any man. God would equip Timothy and give him the power he needed to do God s work. Timothy seems to have been a little timid, and he missed Paul s support. Paul reminds Timothy that the Spirit of God does not cause us to fear. Rather, He helps us have courage to do the right thing when we are afraid. Trusting God will help us have a calm, balanced mind and self-discipline. God will give us the ability to love others, even when we are in trying circumstances. Paul wrote this letter to Timothy from prison. Although Paul had been accused of doing evil things because of his service for Jesus, he taught Timothy not to be ashamed of the Gospel. He was convinced of the truth concerning Jesus and was sure God could keep both him and Timothy faithful. Our faith in Christ will help us do God s will even when others make fun of us. You may have an acquaintance who mocks you or criticizes you for doing what is right. Regardless of the trials we face when we live for Jesus, we have tremendous security in our hearts. God is all powerful. He will keep our faith in Christ real and living. As long as we are faithful and do not deny Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts and gives us the hope that we will be with Jesus someday. This is the reassurance that Paul gives Timothy in this letter. With firm hope Paul can say, I am in bonds and you have many burdens, but I am persuaded Jesus is able to keep us! UNDERSTANDING THE LESSON 4. Three advantages of children with Christian parents. being told about seeing an example of for Jesus C. benefiting from their and guidance. 5. What blessing did Timothy receive when Paul laid hands on him and prayed at his ordination? 6. Timothy may have been inclined to depend on for support, but Paul showed him that he could depend on for help to do God s work. 20
Lesson 6 7. Circle the letter of the statement that best describes how we can face criticism and scoffing. We have the presence of the Holy Spirit and the security of living for Jesus. Faith in Christ takes away our timid natures. C. The support and encouragement of older Christians keep us from discouragement. D. Our blameless lives prove that those who speak evil of us are liars. 8. What two things did Paul tell Timothy not to be ashamed of in verse 8? 9. Look at verse 9 again. When did God design the plan for our salvation? 10. Read verse 10. This verse says that Jesus destroyed death and made possible an endless life. This life comes to us through the. 11. Think! Where does the spirit of fear come from? 12. Where do courage, love, and a calm mind come from? THE BIBLE FOR TODAY 13. Who has helped you to believe in God? Write at least two people or groups of people. 14. Write the name of an ordained man in your church. Then write a spiritual gift he has. It could be administration (management), teaching, mercy, or prophecy (making God s will known to the public). FOR MORE UNDERSTANDING Read Philippians 4:4-8. Life brings stress, worries, and conflict. Such things can cause discouragement, unsettled emotions, and even depression. Circle the letters of the answers. 15. What three things mentioned in these verses will help a Christian have a calm, balanced mind? rejoicing in the Lord praying to God C. having an unconcerned attitude D. controlling our thoughts E. relying on our own wisdom 21
Lesson 6 BIBLE MEMORY Write the memory verse, including the reference. 16. REVIEW Circle T if the statement is true or F if it is false. 17. T F It is possible to be contented without being satisfied with God s gifts to us. 18. T F A contented person will find it hard to rest in God s care. 19. T F A contented person will not crave more money and possessions than he has. 20. The characteristics of Jesus. Describe Jesus exalted position in relation to earthly kings and rulers. What three things does Jesus alone possess? C. Where does Jesus dwell? 21. Cross out the sentence that is not true of financial success. Wealth is not a sign of God s approval on a person s life. Financial success is possible because of abilities God gives. C. It is possible to follow Jesus while earning a high income. D. Wealth is the most valuable thing in life. E. It can be turned into heavenly treasure. 22. What should Christians do instead of accumulating wealth for themselves? 23. Name one temptation the love of money brings. 22
7 Be Strong Read Your Bible Read 2 Timothy 2 Write your initials on the line when you have finished reading the passage. Bible Vocabulary canker (kaŋ kәr): a spreading sore; cancer Complete the sentences and answer the question. 1. Like a good soldier, the Christian must learn to endure and stay of the entanglements of this life. 2. Jesus cannot deny Himself; therefore He is always, even if people do not believe in Him. 3. Though Paul was in bonds, what could not be bound? Vocabulary Word envision (in vi zhәn): to picture in the mind ANALYZE THE BIBLE READING Paul was advancing in years and bound in prison. He knew his life would soon end. He envisioned God s work going on year after year long after he had gone to be with Christ. As a father passes his values to his sons, so church leaders pass responsibility for the church to the next generation. Timothy s success did not depend on Paul but on Timothy s reliance upon God. He urges Timothy to stay strong by drawing on God s grace, a source of strength that never fails. Paul tells Timothy to put men to work in the church who are faithful and will be able to prepare other men. Notice that there are four generations of leaders mentioned here: Paul ordained Timothy; Timothy would ordain new leaders; and these men would ordain yet another generation of workers. God s work never is centered on just one person. It does not stop when a man of God dies or becomes too elderly to continue the work. God wants each generation to train up new leaders who will continue to spread the Gospel and prepare more people for the work of His kingdom. The person who would labor as a minister of the Gospel must be wholly given to his calling. 23
Lesson 7 He must have a vision for the value of the work, and interests other than his calling or his home and family must take second place. The Christian minister must work hard. He keeps himself from responsibilities that would distract him from fulfilling his calling. Paul encourages Timothy not to become entangled with the affairs of this life. Everyone needs food, clothing, and shelter, but if we get too involved in obtaining material things, we will not have enough time and energy to serve God s people. The Christian worker faces many temptations. Shouldn t he soften his message or change his values a bit? Would it really hurt to deny Christ just a little? In our day some people say it is intolerant to claim that salvation comes only through Jesus. To state that Jesus is our only means of salvation is also to say religions that teach otherwise are false. Some would call such teachings hate language a statement that inspires hatred toward a certain group of people. However, it is true that Christ alone provides people with salvation, and Christians need to be willing to suffer for standing for this truth. We should encourage each other so that we can remain faithful to God even if it means suffering persecution. Paul also warns Timothy to avoid worthless arguments. Instead, the young minister should study the Scriptures thoroughly so that he is able to give clear answers to life s questions. Meaningless debates and false teachings eat away at Christian fellowship like cancer destroys organs in the body. Regardless of confusing debates, one thing is sure: God knows those who faithfully follow Him. In the worldwide church there are not only genuine believers but also hypocrites. Not everyone is open to spiritual help. Paul urges Timothy to treat these people patiently and to teach them with gentleness. If we deal kindly with those who are spiritually weak, we may help strengthen those who would otherwise fall away. If a person wants to be used by God, he must allow God to develop holiness in his life. This is the process of sanctification. Paul encourages Timothy to flee the wrong desires that are common among young people. God also wants you to go all out for righteousness, faith, love, and peace! You will be greatly helped in this if you associate with other young people who have a pure desire for God. UNDERSTANDING THE LESSON Circle the letter of the answer. 4. Why is it important to prepare new generations of leaders? The work of the church must not stop when a leader dies or becomes unable to serve. The next generation must be able take up the responsibility so the church can continue. C. The work of the church must never be centered on just one person. D. All of the above. Answer the questions. 5. On whom or what did Timothy s success as a minister depend? 24
Lesson 7 6. The Christian worker s message. What important truth do many people today label as intolerant? What does this tempt the Christian worker to do about his message? 7. What is the best preparation for responding to foolish arguments and vain discussions? Circle T if the statement is true or F if it is false. 8. T F A person must be sanctified so he can be a vessel fit for God s use. 9. T 10. T F It is a mistake to be gentle and patient with those who need to repent. F If believers suffer for Christ, they will also reign with Him. THE BIBLE FOR TODAY 11. Name two things that could take up a Christian worker s time and leave him entangled. i Often young Christians think they are strong enough to spend time in a tempting situation without becoming involved in wrongdoing. This is very dangerous! Paul told Timothy to flee youthful lusts. 12. Name two temptations you as a young person would be better off fleeing rather than staying and trying overcome. FOR MORE UNDERSTANDING 13. Read Matthew 13:22. Not everyone gets the same benefit from reading and hearing God s Word. According to this verse, what are two things that can keep a believer from bearing fruit? 25
Lesson 7 BIBLE MEMORY Complete the memory verse. 14. to show approved unto, a that needeth to be, rightly dividing the of truth. 2 2:15 REVIEW Circle T if the statement is true or F if it is false. Correct any false statements. 15. T F Courage, love, and a calm mind come from God. 16. T F Paul showed Timothy that he could depend on Paul s advice for power to do God s work. Complete the sentences. 17. A Christian can help himself cope with stress, worries, and conflict by choosing to,, and control his. 18. Paul told Timothy not to be of the testimony of the Lord. 19. The of living for Jesus and the of the Holy Spirit help us face scoffing and criticism. Answer the question. 20. What are three advantages children with Christian parents enjoy? C. 26