Some TIPS on How To Read
Letters to Timothy…
When we talk about Timothy, the verse which says “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Tim 4:12) usually come to mind.
Paul wrote to Timothy, who was a young pastor and a great help to Paul in his wok. Paul was not just a mentor and leader to Timothy, but he was like his father. The purpose of this letter was to ensure that Timothy guard against false teachers and false doctrines that are present in Ephesus. At the same time, Paul was encouraging Timothy to be firm and faithful in the sharing of the Word with other believers especially during the challenging times.
Read each letter in one sitting. Read as if you are Timothy; put yourself in his shoe. Imagine receiving a letter from your mentor as he encourages you in ministry. Try to feel the atmosphere as it would be during Timothy’s time.
These questions may help, as you read:
- Highlight the challenges faced by Timothy.
- What is Paul’s concern that motivated him to write this letter?
| Day 1: |
Begin by reading the 1st letter in one sitting |
| Day 2: | 1 Tim 1:1-11 |
| Day 3: | 1 Tim 1:12-17 |
| Day 4: | 1 Tim 1:18-20 |
| Day 5: | 1 Tim 2:1-8 |
| Day 6: | 1 Tim 2:9-15 |
| Day 7: | 1 Tim 3:1-7 |
| Day 8: | 1 Tim 3:8-13 |
| Day 9: | 1 Tim 3:14-16 |
| Day 10: | 1 Tim 4:1-5 |
| Day 11: | 1 Tim 4: 6-16 |
| Day 12: | 1 Tim 5:1-16 |
| Day 13: | 1 Tim 5:17 – 6:2 |
| Day 14: | 1 Tim 6:3-10 |
| Day 15: | 1 Tim 6:11-16 |
| Day 16: | 1 Tim 6:17-21 |
|
Day 17: |
Begin by reading the 2nd letter in one sitting |
| Day 18: | 2 Tim 1:1-18 |
| Day 19: | 2 Tim 2:1-13 |
| Day 20: | 2 Tim 2:14-26 |
| Day 21: | 2 Tim 3:1-9 |
| Day 22: | 2 Tim 3:10-17 |
| Day 23: | 2 Tim 4:1-8 |
| Day 24: | 2 Tim 4:9-22 |
Let the WORD investigates us: At the end of each reading, take a moment to pause and jot down any verse, thought or feeling that stays with you.
- How is the situation related to what is happening around us today?
- What is the Lord asking of me or what does He want to see from those verses today?
- For the rest of the day, let’s open our eyes and heart to see what is happening in our country/churches.
Reflections
…with this letter, Paul’s role in the biblical story comes to an end.
We would do well to heed carefully his appeals to faithfulness and perseverance.
1 Timothy – WATCH OUT…
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men – the testimony given in its proper time.” (2:5-6)
Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy to instruct him to take care of the church in Ephesus while he went to Macedonia (1:3). Timothy was still young when Paul invited him to join his “mission team” (1 Tim 4:12, 2 Tim 2:22). But, Paul sees Timothy as a gifted young man and has a potential to be a good servant of Christ Jesus (4:14).
A few years after leaving Ephesus, Paul is expecting to visit Timothy again. But when he realizes that the possibility of a delay or not being able to return to Ephesus in near future, Paul sends this written “checklist” – to refute false teaching, worship attitude, the appointment of qualified church leaders – so that during his absence, Timothy will know how to regulate the life of the churches in Ephesus.
Paul warns Timothy that there will be greater challenge for him regarding false teaching as he pointed it out in three chapters of his letter. Paul encourages Timothy to stay true to what is right, avoid the unnecessary conversation, fight the good fight of the faith and not letting those challenges and worldly temptations to pull him down. He also urges Timothy to use his life as a living testimony, so that all the believers will also have the courage and confidence to follow Christ.
Pondering:
Being a follower of Christ, there will be challenges and temptation we will face in our everyday life.
- In the midst of these challenges, am I living out my Christian life?
- Am I reflecting God’s image in my everyday life?
- Do I usually check my ‘checklist’ written by God?
2 Timothy – BE PREPARED
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power of love and of self-discipline (1:7)
When Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, he was imprisoned again. He felt the loneliness and sadness as some of his fellow friends have deserted him. He reminds Timothy that he might face the same situation but he encourages him not to be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. There will be people who want and do not want to listen to us. But we should not be discouraged as God has His own plan for every circumstance in our lives, provided that we keep on trusting Him. Paul also used the example of a soldier, athlete and farmer to show their discipline and endurance in their work where their hardship will result in a greater prize and harvest. In the last chapter, Paul mentioned that there will be ups and downs in our lives but he urges us / Timothy to remember that God will give eternal life to those who obey Him until the end of their lives. As a follower of Christ, there will be things that we need to let go or lose it – family, position and job. But God is in control. He gives us strength and leads us into better lives.
Pondering:
- Looking at the struggles and challenges, what is the Lord saying to me?
- What is my posture before God?