What kind of example are you?

Calum Montgomery invites us to learn from Paul’s advice to Timothy.

Key text

1 Timothy 4:12–16

Paul needed to encourage and remind Timothy of important truths. As we read his words in our study passage, we can receive that same encouragement and challenge because they apply to us too.

Timothy journeyed with Paul for some of his ministry. In his letter, Paul offers Timothy some advice and guidance. Timothy, a young Christian, is spreading the gospel to a world that didn’t want to hear it – in situations where God was desperately needed and maybe not being accepted.

In Matthew 5:14, Jesus tells his disciples: ‘You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world’ (The Message). In this letter, Paul urges Timothy, as a servant of Christ, to set an example for the believers.

As we go out in the world, spending time in our workplaces and with our friends and family, we are also called to be an example, a living testimony ‘in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity’ (v12) – an example in everything. That’s an easy sentence to type, yet to live it out is a completely different story. When we think of being an example, we can end up thinking that means never getting it wrong – always being perfect.

As Christians, being an example in the way we live doesn’t mean never asking questions or never struggling. Rather, it means, even in those moments where we can’t see God at work or feel his presence, continuing to trust him and put our faith in him. Throughout Scripture we see examples of this kind of faith, such as Noah who continued to wait out the storm. There might have been moments where they questioned or doubted God, but they still turned to him and trusted him.

At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: ‘Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock’ (Matthew 7:24). He didn’t say the man building on the solid rock never faced trials or asked questions. Being an example in faith doesn’t mean hiding the moments of doubt; it means trusting through them.

How are we to be an example ‘in love’? Paul gives us the definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13, a passage we have all probably heard so many times. But how often do we actively reflect on how we show love every day? Are we patient and kind to the people who push our buttons? If we’ve had a tough week and we’re tired, do we show that love, even when something isn’t right? Being an example ‘in love’ means loving when we don’t want to, when we can’t be bothered to, and when we feel like some people don’t deserve to be loved.

Pause and reflect

Who has been a good example to you?
Consider your speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
To be a better example to others, is there an area where you particularly need God’s help?

If we are living as Jesus’ followers, this means giving ourselves wholly to God. Paul tells Timothy not to ‘neglect the spiritual gift within’ (v14 New American Standard Bible). The same could be said to us. We should not neglect the gifts God has given us. He has called us all to do his work on Earth and, whether we are in an official church position or not, God has called us to be his witnesses, to spread the good news. He equips us and places each of us where he can use us.

Paul reminds Timothy that his gifts and talents are all needed, just as our gifts and talents are needed for God’s plan. To be an example means to give those gifts back to God and use them as he directs.

Pause and reflect

How has God gifted you?
Why might we choose to neglect our God-given gifts?

Even if we aren’t on the platform preaching or leading a Bible study group, we are to be good examples.

In our study passage, Paul reminds Timothy that his age should not be a barrier to serving Jesus (see v12). He identifies Timothy’s gifts as he writes: ‘Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching’ (v13). Paul urges wholehearted commitment: ‘Be diligent in these matters … watch your life and doctrine closely’ (vv15 and 16).

The same goes for us: we need to dedicate our lives to Scripture, to spending time with God. Even if we aren’t on the platform preaching or leading a Bible study group, we are to be good examples.

Pause and reflect

How can we spread God’s word if we don’t know it?
How can we share the comfort and love that only God gives if we aren’t spending time in his presence receiving it?

When I first looked at our study passage, I struggled to spend time with it. I felt like I knew it quite well. I had heard people use it at youth events to encourage and challenge us to go back to our corps and be an example. However, when I tried to sit with it, I just didn’t have the words. As I dug into it, I found I was struggling because it was something I needed God to tell me. As I write this Bible study, it’s not coming from a place of personal perfection, but from a place of honesty.

Being an example isn’t just an everyday thing. It’s an every-moment thing, and we can’t do it without Christ at the centre. If we are to be his example, we need to know him first.