5.12.19 - The Power of a Mother
Experiencing the Power of God — Week 2 Study Guide
“The Power of a Mother”
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE: 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 (1st 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 met him (Acts 16:1-2).
How did Timothy come to be a disciple of Jesus before he met 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 hometown 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 met 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 that 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 mentions 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.
Message Outline
Key #1: God's DNA in You — 2 Timothy 1:1
“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.
Key #2: The Christian Family: God’s Ordained Environment for Raising Children — 2 Timothy 1:5
“… 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 parent’s number one job is to teach faith to their children and live a life consistent with what they teach.
Key #3: The Church: God's Family of Healing Love — 2 Timothy 1:2-4
“For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord.” — 1 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
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?
If someone asked you who you are, how would you respond? How has your family of origin impacted your sense of identity? How has your sense of identity developed over time?
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.
Are you a spiritual father or mother to anyone? If not, why not? If yes, discuss how that relationship began.
If you have children, talk about the things you do in your home to intentionally develop their faith? What would you recommend that parents do to build their children's faith?
What does sincere faith mean? What is the opposite? Give some examples of each.
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.