1 Timothy 4:12-13 (NIV) 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
We have talked about not letting people look down on you. We said this was living in a way that makes them know you a disciple!
Paul tells Timothy to SET an Paul doesn’t say “be good” but he tells Timothy to “be the best” – a leader, not a follower. We also talked about setting an example in speech and how our tongues are tricky. ( Psalms 34:13, 35:28, 37:30, 39:1, 139:4 Proverbs 10:9, 12:22, 15:2, 18:21, 28:23, Eccl 5:3, Mark 16:17, I Peter 3:10)
This week we’re going to look at behavior/conduct, love, and faith.
CONDUCT means
In Exodus 20, God gave Moses 10 rules of conduct – the 10 Commandments.
The Old Testament has 613 rules to guide people’s lives. In the New Testament, the writers give more guidance to the early Christians. But what did Jesus say about all this?
An expert of the Law questioned Jesus on conduct (Luke 10:27)
Deut. 6:5
Lev. 19:18
Jesus summarizes all the laws and prophets in Matthew 7:12, by saying
LOVE is (I John 4:10)
Where do we get love? Gal 5:22
If you love God, what else do you have to do? I John 4:20
I Timothy 1:5 What three things help you act in love?
More on love: What does love do? What is it like? I Corinthians 13
FAITH is (Hebrews 11:1)
What does faith do? Romans 3:22, Eph 2: 8
How do we get faith? Romans 10:17
What should we do with Christians who don’t have strong faith? Romans 14:1
What does faith help you to do? II Cor 1:24
Read more: Hebrews 11 is the “Hall of Faith” and tells you lots of heroes of the faith. Gal 2:16, 3:11-12 and James 1:14
Abraham was a great example of faith. Read his life story in Genesis 11:26-15:10