Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

Setting a Godly example in youth

Bible Reading:  I Tim 4:12-14

Key verse:I Timothy 4:11 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.  13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 

DEVOTION

Let no one look down or despise you because you are young:  
We are reminded in 2 Tim 1:5 that young Timothy’s sincere faith, which first lived in his grandmother Lois and in his mother Eunice. Apostle Paul understood that it had great influence in young Timothy’s faith, love and his sincere life for serving the LORD. 
But, Greek culture placed great value on age and experience. Since Timothy was in his thirties, still young by the standards of that culture, he would have to earn respect by being a godly example. Because he had been with Paul since a young teenager, young Timothy had much experience to mature him, so that looking down on him because he was under 40 was inexcusable. 
Being an example in purity:  Apostle Paul lists 5 areas in which Timothy was to be an example to the church: 
Importance of “word” (Read Matt. 12:34–37; Eph. 4:25, 29, 31); 
“How to conduct life” (Righteous living in Christ; Titus 2:10; 1 Pet. 1:15; 2:12; 3:16); 
“Sacrificial love” (self-sacrificial service for others like CHRIST did; John 15:13); 
“Faith” (Without faith it is impossible to please God – Heb 11:6); 
“Purity of daily life” (especially sexual purity; 1 Tim 3:2). Timothy’s exemplary life in those areas would offset the disadvantage of his youth.
Give attention to sound doctrines. These things were to be Timothy’s constant practice; his way of life. “Reading” refers to the custom of public reading of Scripture in the church’s worship service, followed by the exposition of the passage that had been read (Read Neh. 8:1–8; Luke 4:16–27). “Exhortation” challenges those who hear the Word to apply it in their daily lives. It may involve rebuke, warning, encouragement, or comfort. “Doctrine” (teaching) refers to systematic instruction from the Word of God (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:9)

PRAYER

 Abba Father, please help us to have the sincere faith IN CHRIST and genuine repentance from our sins. Help us to understand sound doctrines from the Word of God. Help our words, conduct, love, faith and purity of our daily life be acceptable to you LORD. Help our lives be pleasing to you in our thoughts, words and actions and may our lives glorify your name. In the Mighty Name of Jesus we pray, Amen. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 “True Godliness is how we Govern our thoughts based on sound understanding of Scripture, because our thoughts will become actions and the actions will result in building our character IN CHRIST”.


  Jose George, St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church of Delaware Valley, Malvern, PA.

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more