Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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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.

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