Be An Example

1 Timothy 4:12-16

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12-16

Memory Verse: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in
word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

Lesson Focus: To be an example to others in how you live your life in following Jesus.

Bible Study:

1 Timothy 4:12:
First Paul tells Timothy what NOT to do:
√ What does it mean to “despise your youth?”
(It means “to think less of.” Just because you are young does not mean that you don’t have
something to say or to contribute. God had put Timothy into a position of authority. He was a
leader and teacher in this Church. Paul is telling him, “hey, you are young but God has put you
here. Don’t be ashamed of being young and use the authority that God has given you.)

Now Paul tells Timothy what He SHOULD DO:

Be an Example:
√ What does it mean to be an example?

See there is a difference between imitating and being an example. We can always copy
someone’s actions or words, but if we are an example it is not just copying but it is who we are.
There are many Christians that just copy actions that they think would be right…but when you
get them alone, they are different all together. Jesus does not want us to “copy” an example He
wants us to “be” an example. Paul cares about Timothy’s character.

√ What was Timothy to be an example in?

1. Word
2. Conduct
3. Love
4. Spirit
5. Faith
6. Purity
1. Word: How can Timothy be an example in word?
Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may
know how ye ought to answer every man.”

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2. Conduct: What does the word “conduct” mean? The word conduct means “matter of life.”
It how you live every day and all day long. Your actions at church, the grocery store, in your
neighborhood, school, everywhere you live and go. How can Timothy be an example in
conduct? Your conduct is how you act….your actions.

3. Love: How can Timothy be an example in love? Who is Timothy supposed to love?
a. God: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your hear, with all your soul, and
with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37
b. Others: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39
Why does love matter so much to God? (Because love is at the center of all that God
has done for us. Romans 5:8)

4. Spirit: How can Timothy be an example in “spirit”? By following the Holy Spirit’s leading
and guidance. We are told in Ephesians 5:8 to be filled with the Spirit. When we ask God to
fill us with the Spirit we will be like a glass that is filled with water and overflows….the
things of God will pour out of us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

5. Faith: How can Timothy be an example in “faith”?

√ What is faith?
Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves it
is the gift of God.”

Faith means to believe in something. We believe in God. We put our faith in God. My faith
is in God, not in people, or circumstances.

6. Purity: How can Timothy be an example in purity?

√ What does “purity” mean? Purity means to have moral character. God tells us in His
Word to “be holy as I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

Morals are the rights and wrongs of life. It used to be clear what was righty and wrong….but
it is not so clear any more. The Bible tells us through the 10 commandments and in many
other places what is right and wrong. To be pure is to follow God and to follow Jesus as our
example.

Example: If the world says that it is ok to go to a bad movie is it ok to go? (No, because
anything that you put in your mind will be with you forever. Purity, keeps your mind and
heart away from those things that would cause you to sin.

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Conclusion: Our life needs to match what we say we believe. Paul is telling Timothy that
leadership is a matter of Godly character. God cares about “who” you are more than “what” you
say you are Be an example through the Spirit’s power.