The Power of a Mother

Experiencing the Power of God Series

The Power of a Mother

Study Guide 

Message for Sunday May 12, 2019

This Week Reading:  2 Timothy 1:1-5  Additional Reading: Acts 16:1-5

Introduction

One of the most famous relationships in the New Testament is the relationship between the Apostle Paul and Timothy. Paul considered Timothy to be his spiritual son (1 Timothy 1:2 and 1 Corinthians 4:17). Paul wrote two letters to Timothy (1 and 2nd Timothy). A brief review of these books reveals that Paul is mentoring Timothy not only in ministry as a pastor but in life in general. Their relationship is used as a model for mentoring relationships in numerous books seminars and articles (below is an additional resource on the topic of mentoring). Yet Timothy was already a disciple of Jesus when Paul first meet him (Acts 16:1-2). How did Timothy come to be a disciple of Jesus before he meet Paul? Who taught him? Who trained him? Who was his example? The answer is simple - Timothy's mother and grandmother were believers and they were the example for Timothy. In addition Timothy was part of the family of God in his home town of Lystra (note how Luke notes in Acts 16:2 that the believers spoke well of Timothy). Thus the formative influences on Timothy were there before he even meet Paul.  He had a godly heritage (see additional resource below for more detail). 
  

Background Information

Timothy's mother was a Jew who had converted to Christianity. His mother's mother was also a Jew and had converted to Christianity. Timothy's father was Greek meaning he was not a Jew and also he had not converted to Christianity.He most likely worshiped the Greek gods. For a Jewish woman to marry a Greek man was considered an unlawful marriage according to Jewish law and tradition at the time. Timothy had not been circumcised indicating that it was most likely not permitted by the Jewish authorities. The name Timothy is a Greek name which literally translated means 'Honoring God." Nothing is known of Timothy's father (perhaps he had died or left the mother or was still present). All that is known of Timothy's mother is found in the verses above. The tears Paul refers to probably refer to the tears Timothy shed when he and Paul parted. Note verse 5 where Paul writes about the "sincere faith" (NIV) of Timothy's mother. The Greek word literally means unhypocritical faith. Timothy's mother's life and words matched, a powerful combination. She lived what she said and this had a huge impact upon Timothy.  

  

A Simple Outline with Key Points

 I. God's DNA in You - Verse 1

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2;10 

Everyone is knit together by God in their mother’s womb and is born with a God ordained identity and purpose.   

II. The Christian Family: God’s Ordained Environment for Raising Children - Verse 5

and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15 

Children must be saved.  A parents number one job is to teach faith to their children and live a life consistent with what they teach.   

III. The Church God's Family of Healing Love - Verses 2-4

For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. i Corinthians 4:17 

God calls us to be His family of healing love in a broken world and as we do that we will find what we have always needed ourselves.   

Digging Deeper Questions

1. What memories do you have of your mother growing up? What are some of the positive things your mother taught you? What are some of the things you wish had been different?
2. If someone asked you who are you how would you respond? How has your family of origin impacted your sense of identity? How has your sense of identity developed over time?   
3. What do you think it was like for Timothy to have Paul in his life? Discuss how that must have been like. Do you have a Paul in your life now?  Have you ever had a Paul in your life? If you do have a Paul in your life explain how that has helped you develop as a person. 
4. Are you a spiritual father or mother to anyone? If not why not? If yes discuss how that relationship began.  
5. If you have children talk about the things that you do in your home to intentionally develop their faith? What would you recommend parents to do to build their children's faith?
6. What does sincere faith mean? What is the opposite? Give some examples of each. 
7. What will you apply from these verses?  

This Week's Challenge 

Look at the people around you to see how you can be a spiritual father, mother, brother or sister to them.

Additional Resource:

Article: 
3 Phases of a Paul Timothy Relationship
Passing Down a godly heritage - Lois and Eunice