As we saw in our last visit Paul loved and affirmed Timothy over and over again in his letters. His confidence in Timothy’s character, gifting and faithfulness enabled him to send him on important short term assignments as well as entrust him with significant responsibilities like pastoring the church in Ephesus.
It is clear, Timothy was a sensitive, caring young man who was timid and needed to be encouraged to stir up the gifts he had received. He also might have been frail and often sick. But God used him in remarkable ways, and was deeply loved by Paul.
Paul’s highest praise of the young man is found in Philippians 2:20-22, “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.” In the King James Version it reads, “he naturally cares for you.” Wouldn’t that be a great epitaph to describe a life well lived?
Well, now that we have collected as much information on his life as we could find in the Bible it’s time to correlate it into an outline. As I mentioned earlier in our study one way to do this is to develop an historical sketch.
1. His early life in Lystra.
2. His call and gifting for ministry.
3. His development by observation and experience.
4. His effective ministry with team members and on his own.
5. His imprisonment, release and final ministry.
The title for this outline could be: A life well lived.
