Too many kids buy into the idea that you have to “grow up” and become an adult before you can really do anything BIG for God! This is not true. The Bible is full of great examples of young people who made a huge difference in the world when they put their faith in God. One of those young leaders was a young man named, Timothy. Timothy was called by the Apostle Paul to follow along on one of the missionary journeys. In addition, Timothy ended up leading many adults in their Christian faith. Through the story of Timothy and Paul’s charge to him, the children will learn that they are “Never Too Young” to be an example for ALL believers!

Have you ever heard of the Apostle Paul? He is one of the greatest heroes of the Bible. In fact, he

was the man God used to write most of the New Testament.  Paul traveled the world

preaching and teaching to thousands of people. Paul met lots of people in his travels. One of the

people he met impressed him a whole lot.  It was a young man named Timothy.

Timothy was much younger than Paul. That didn’t stop the Apostle Paul from seeing incredible

potential in Timothy. Even though he was very young, Paul approached Timothy and  said,

“You are well thought of by the believers. Will you join my missionary journey?” WOW! Timothy

was just a young person and he was recognized by Paul as a strong example to other Christians.

 Paul took Timothy along with him on his missionary journey. They started many

churches and accomplished great things over the years. One day, Paul was thrown into prison for

preaching the good news of Jesus. He wanted to make sure Timothy continued to preach the

gospel, so he decided to write him a letter. This letter is what is now known as the

book of 1 Timothy in the Bible - because it was the first letter that Paul wrote to Timothy.

Timothy received this letter and began to read it. He read these words from Paul,

“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers...” Tim-

othy understood exactly what Paul was telling him. He knew that, even though he was very young,

he was able to be an example for other Christians to follow. Timothy continued to preach about

Jesus and taught the Christians in the churches.

Timothy understood something very important. You are NEVER TOO YOUNG to be an example for others.

Other kids - even adults - can learn from watching how you live. If you follow God in all you do and set an

example for others, you can change the world! That’s exactly what we are going to learn in our lesson today!

Timothy was young, but he didn’t let

that stop him from doing some incredible things for God. Now, he certainly could have come up with some

excuses why he was too young. He could have said, “I just want to have fun!” He could have said, “I have too

many things to do - friends, sports, activities, etc.” There are many excuses he could have thrown out, but

instead he understood...

If God could use Timothy to preach all across the world, planting churches, and being an example to all

believers, then God can use each one of you. So many kids make the mistake of saying, “I’m too young.” They

think that they have to wait until they are older before they can be taken seriously. They think, “I am just a kid.

Who is going to pay any attention to what I say?”

The Apostle Paul gave Timothy some incredible advice. In fact, that advice is found in our Power Verse today.

“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers...” - 1 Timothy 4:12

You must understand - no matter what your age - you can do BIG things for God. So, follow the advice of

Apostle Paul.

The truth is, people are watching you. Younger children are watching. Your friends are watching. Adults are

watching. One of the biggest ways you can make a difference for others is to show them a good example of

what it means to be a Christian. How do you do that? The Apostle Paul continues in the same verse, 1

Timothy 4:12, “...be an example for ALL believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith,

and your purity.”

If you want to be a good example for ALL believers, do it in “what you say.” Let your words

be truthful, helpful, and kind. If you want to be a good example for ALL believers, do it in “the way you live.” Live

every moment to please Jesus and follow His commands. If you want to be a good example for ALL believers, do

it in “your love.” Show love to others, especially those who least deserve it. If you want to be a good example

for ALL believers, do it in “your faith.” Believe that God can use you in a big-time way. If you want to be a good

example for ALL believers, do it in “your purity.” Stay away from sin at all costs.

THAT is how you can be a good example for all believers - “in what you say, in the way you live, in your love,

your faith, and your purity.” WOW! You can ALL do that! It’s what God has called you to do. You are NEVER

TOO YOUNG to be an example for all believers. So, here is the last lesson you need to learn...

Directions

1. Give the kids a piece of construction paper and have them trace both of their hands on it and color the hands with water color paint OR crayons. 

2. All around the hand prints on the blank space of paper, they can write ways that they can be like Timothy and do big things for God. Some examples may be praying for people, reaching out and inviting people to church, serving in church, sharing a devotion, etc....

Directions

Let the kids line up youngest to oldest and let them play follow the leader!

Talk about how it doesn't matter how young or old we are, we can all lead if we want to!