“October 23–29. 1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon: ‘Be Thou an Example of the Believers,’” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: New Testament 2023 (2021)
“October 23–29. 1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon,” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: 2023
October 23–29
1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon
“Be Thou an Example of the Believers”
Read 1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; and Philemon with your class members in mind. The thoughts and impressions that come will help you direct class members to relevant scripture passages and bring the Spirit into your classroom.
Invite Sharing
It can be helpful for class members to hear each other talk about their successes and challenges with studying the scriptures, both individually and as families. Consider starting the class by inviting class members to talk about what is going well in their scripture study.
Teach the Doctrine
Understanding true doctrine will help us avoid being deceived.
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The members of your class are living in a time when it can be difficult to determine what is true and what is false. Timothy and Titus also lived in such a time, so perhaps Paul’s counsel to them could be valuable today. Here are some passages containing Paul’s counsel: 1 Timothy 1:1–7; 4:1–2, 6; 6:3–5, 20–21; 2 Timothy 3:13–17; 4:2–4; Titus 1:7–9; 2:1, 7–8. You could assign each class member to read one of these passages and share what he or she learns about the importance of true doctrine (see also Alma 31:5). How does the Savior’s doctrine help us avoid deception? Class members could also share experiences in which the power of true doctrine blessed them.
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers” (1 Timothy 4:12).
“Be thou an example of the believers.”
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It’s possible that members of your class don’t realize the power of the good example they are setting. Consider inviting them to talk about how people they know, including fellow class members, have been examples of disciples of Christ. It might help the discussion if you list on the board the words in verse 12 that describe how we should be an example—word, conversation (which can also mean conduct or behavior), charity, spirit, faith, and purity. Class members could discuss how we can be examples of the believers in each of these ways.
“God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
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This week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families suggests looking in 2 Timothy for counsel Paul gave to encourage Timothy in his ministry. Ask class members to share any insights they found. Or you could give them a few minutes in class to find and share some of Paul’s counsel (chapter 1 has some good examples). They could also share an experience when God helped them overcome their fears and gave them “the spirit of … power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
Studying the scriptures can help us overcome the perils of the last days.
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After warning Timothy about “perilous times” to come, Paul testified of the power and importance of the scriptures (see 2 Timothy 3:1, 14–17). To begin a discussion about how the scriptures can strengthen us in difficult times, you could invite class members to review Paul’s description of the perils of the last days, found in 2 Timothy 3:1–7. Then they could search for and share scriptures that have helped them guard against perils like these (some examples are listed in “Additional Resources”). How has studying the scriptures protected us from troubles in today’s world?
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Studying Paul’s counsel about the power of the scriptures could be an opportunity for class members to encourage each other in their efforts to study the word of God. Perhaps class members could read 2 Timothy 3:14–17 and identify the blessings and protections that come from studying the scriptures. Then they could share experiences when they received these blessings because of their scripture study. You could also give class members a few moments to ponder what they can do to have more meaningful experiences with the scriptures, both individually and as families.
Additional Resources
Scriptural truths that protect us against the perils of the last days (see 2 Timothy 3:2).
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Perils of the Last Days |
Truths That Protect Us |
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Perils of the Last Days Lovers of their own selves | Truths That Protect Us |
Perils of the Last Days Covetous | Truths That Protect Us |
Perils of the Last Days Boasters | Truths That Protect Us |
Perils of the Last Days Proud | Truths That Protect Us |
Perils of the Last Days Blasphemers | Truths That Protect Us |
Perils of the Last Days Disobedient to parents | Truths That Protect Us |
Perils of the Last Days Unthankful | Truths That Protect Us |
Perils of the Last Days Unholy | Truths That Protect Us |
Improving Our Teaching
Spiritual growth occurs at home. You are with your class members for only a short time twice a month. Many of them are having meaningful spiritual experiences outside of class, and these experiences could strengthen other members of the class. Ask questions that encourage class members to share what they are learning as they study the gospel at home. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 18.)