2 Timothy

Preschool track

Overview of 2 Timothy

Second Timothy was apparently written by the apostle Paul in prison. This letter might be Paul's last words to his friend and ministry partner Timothy during a difficult time.

As in his first letter to Timothy, Paul told his younger friend how to be a good leader. He reminded Timothy to run away from sin and instead "pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace" together with other followers of Christ (2 Tim 2:22). Paul said Timothy should follow Paul's example and correct people whose wrong teachings led other people away from Jesus. Paul encouraged Timothy to study the scriptures, which wold give him everything he needed to do good (2 Tim 3:14-17).

In this short letter Paul explained how he served God and spread the good news about Jesus. He was in prison, but he wasn't afraid to suffer for Jesus. He trusted God to take care of him (2 Tim 1:8-14). This letter reminds us to serve God well and to always be faithful!

*Taken from Deep Blue Bible

Bible Readings

Be Encouraged (2 Timothy 1:3-7) Reading

Paul wrote a letter to Timothy. Paul knew Timothy was having a hard time and needed some cheering up.

Paul said, "Dear Timothy, I am grateful to the God we serve. I pray for you every day and night. When I remember how sad you are,I have hope that you will be happy soon. You have a strong faith, Timothy. Your grandmother, Lois, and you mother, Eunice, love God and are faithful believers. I know they taught you how to be faithful. I want you to remember that God has given you special gifts. God didn't give us spirits that are afraid, but spirits that are strong, loving, and self-controlled."

*Taken from Celebrate Wonder Bible Storybook

A Letter from a Friend (2 Timothy 1:1-7) Reading

Have you ever gotten a letter or a card in the mail? Not many people write letters today. But in Bible times, letters written on scrolls were important. Getting a letter was exciting.

Paul's good friend Timothy was a leader of the church in Ephesus. Like many places, the church people in Ephesus were often treated badly by others. Paul knew that Timothy was sad and needed to remember their friendship. Because Paul was in prison and couldn't go to Ephesus, he wrote letters to Timothy. Two of them are in the Bible. This is the beginning of the Second Letter to Timothy.

"From Paul.

To my dear friend Timothy.

The peace of God and Jesus to you. I miss you, and I think about you a lot. I pray for you all the time. I heard that you're sad right now because it is hard to speak for Jesus. I wish I could see you and know that you are all right.

I think a lot about your strong faith. It reminds me of your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I am sure that they passed their love for Jesus on to you. Thinking about you makes me happy. I hope my letter makes you feel better. God loves you. God is with you no matter what. Please don't forget that.

Even in prison I know that God is with me. You received God's Spirit is not quiet, but loving and powerful. You have that Spirit now."

*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell

I Wonder....

who teaches you about God?
what kind of letter would you write to someone?
if someone that loves you would right a letter to you?
how you would feel if someone encourages you when you are playing a sport/musical instrument/dance move?

Discussion Questions

Have someone you love read this letter out loud to you. Ask them to replace Timothy's name with yours. Ask them to put the names of people you love in place of "Lois" and "Eunice." How did you feel as you listened to this letter?
When you go to church next time, look around for people who you think have God's Spirit, people who are kind or people who are doing things for others.
Write a letter, or get help writing a letter, to someone. Remind this person of your love. Let this person know God's love is for everyone.

Videos

Godly Play

Paul's Travels and His Letters

This video is 14:24 minutes long

Crossroad Kids' Club

God's Story: Timothy

This video is 3:27 minutes long

Saddleback Kids

The Epistles (1 Timothy 4:1-16)

This video is 1:00 minutes long

Songs

Early Childhood Worship (2 Timothy 1:7) by Saddleback Kids

Early Childhood Worship (2 Timothy 3:16) by Saddleback Kids

This song is 2:23 minutes long

This song is 2:20 minutes long

You Are My God by Kidspring Children's Ministry

This song is 2:11 minutes long

Art Project/Prayer

5 Finger Prayer

Materials:

Markers
Scissors

Leader Preparation:

Gather materials

Instructions:

First, trace hand
Next, cut out your hand
Once all cutout, write in the middle "Give Thanks to God!"
Then, write on the thumb other people
Next, write on the index finger your teacher(s) name
Move onto your middle finger and write the different leaders
Then, write different people that are weak on your ring finger
Finally, write your name on your pinky finger

Tips for Adults

Paul's second letter to Timothy tells him to keep working hard at growing in faith and leading other Christians. It also tells us about Paul's days on prison where he wrote his letter.

*Taken from Deep Blue Bible

Elementary Track