“1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)
1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon
The Apostle Paul shared many hopeful messages in his letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Among these messages, Paul encouraged Timothy to be an example of the believers and to not be ashamed of his testimony of Jesus Christ. Paul prophesied of perilous times in the latter days, and he testified of the power of God’s words to make us wise unto salvation. The Apostle encouraged Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother in the gospel.
Additional Resources
Scripture Helps: New Testament, “1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon”
Note: The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the four standard lesson elements that follow.
Encouraging Personal Study
Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:
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Do you ever find it difficult to set an example as a follower of Jesus Christ? As you study 1 Timothy 4 and 2 Timothy 1, look for Paul’s counsel that can empower you to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ.
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Using money is a common part of our everyday lives. As you study 1 Timothy 6, look for warnings Paul gave about money, as well as what we can focus on that will lead us to eternal life.
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Paul prophesied of “perilous times” (2 Timothy 3:1) that would exist in the last days. As you study 2 Timothy 3, pay attention to attitudes and behaviors Paul prophesied about that are common in our time. How can Paul’s teachings in verses 15–17 help you combat the perilous times of our day?
Questions and Sharing
Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of 1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; and Philemon.
Skill Training
Philemon 1 might be a helpful place to use the skill “Likening the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills.
Learning Activity Options
Multiple learning options are provided for you and your students. Prayerfully choose which option or options will be most meaningful for your class.
1 Timothy 4:12–16; 2 Timothy 1:7–9
How can I be an example of the believers?
Consider displaying the following self-assessment. Give students time to complete it on their own.
For the following statements, rate yourself using a scale of 1 (not true at all) to 5 (very true).
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I strive to set an example as a follower of Jesus Christ, both in public and in private.
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The people I interact with know that I strive to follow Jesus Christ.
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Helping others come closer to the Savior through my words and example is important to me.
Encourage students as they participate in this learning activity to pay attention to promptings from the Holy Ghost that can help them stand as witnesses of Jesus Christ.
To help students understand context related to some of Paul’s teachings to Timothy, it may be helpful to explain that Timothy was a close and trusted associate of Paul (see 1 Corinthians 4:17). Timothy was serving as a Church leader in Ephesus (see 1 Timothy 1:3), a large city where idol worship and immorality were widespread (see Acts 19:35). Paul hinted that some members doubted Timothy’s leadership abilities because he was young (see 1 Timothy 4:12). For more information about Timothy, see “To whom was 1 Timothy written and why?” and “To whom was 2 Timothy written and why?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.
Invite students to study 1 Timothy 4:12–16 and 2 Timothy 1:7–9, looking for Paul’s counsel to Timothy. To help students to discuss what they found, consider asking the following questions:
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What did you find in these verses that was meaningful to you? Why? (As students share their answers to these questions, you could help them identify truths like the following: If we are examples of the believers of Jesus Christ, we can help bring salvation to ourselves and others [see 1 Timothy 4:12, 16]. As we earnestly seek to have the Spirit to be with us, we can overcome fear and be unashamed of our testimony of Jesus Christ [see 2 Timothy 1:7–9].)
Remind students that in 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul listed numerous ways we can be examples of the believers. Point out that the word “conversation” in this verse refers to our conduct or behavior. Consider writing the following words from verse 12 as headings on the board: word, conversation, charity, spirit, faith, and purity. You could divide the class into small groups and assign each group one of the words listed on the board. Invite them to discuss together the following questions:
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How was Jesus Christ the perfect example in this way?
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What are specific ways you can be an example of a believer in this way?
Invite students from each group to share their answers to the questions they discussed. You or a member of each group could write students’ answers on the board, below the corresponding headings.
You might also discuss questions like the following:
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What can make it difficult to be an example of the believers? What can help us overcome these challenges?
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How have others’ efforts to be an example of the believers helped you come closer to Jesus Christ?
Encourage students to determine how they can more fully apply Paul’s counsel to be examples of the believers. Encourage them to record and act on promptings from the Holy Ghost.
Is having money bad?
Display a piece of money to the class. Then invite students to discuss the following questions with someone sitting next to them:
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In what ways can having money be beneficial?
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What spiritual dangers can be associated with money?
Explain that Paul identified a false belief some Church members had—that “gain is godliness” (1 Timothy 6:5). Encourage students as they study Paul’s teachings to consider what they can learn from the Holy Ghost that can help them in their personal circumstances.
Study together 1 Timothy 6:6–10. Invite the students to look for Paul’s warnings about wealth.
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What do you think is meant by the phrase “the love of money is the root of all evil”? (1 Timothy 6:10).
Consider sharing the following statement by President Dallin H. Oaks as part of your discussion:
There is nothing inherently evil about money. The Good Samaritan used the same coinage to serve his fellowman that Judas used to betray the Master. It is ‘the love of money [which] is the root of all evil.’(1 Tim. 6:10; italics added.) The critical difference is the degree of spirituality we exercise in viewing, evaluating, and managing the things of this world (“Spirituality,” Ensign, Nov. 1985, 63).
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How can excessively prioritizing money or possessions affect our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
Invite students to read 1 Timothy 6:11–12, 17–19, looking for Paul’s counsel to Timothy and those with riches. To invite students to share what they learned from these verses, consider asking questions like the following:
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What counsel did you find to be especially helpful? Why?
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What truths do you learn from Paul’s teachings that can guide our priorities in our lives? (There are several truths students might identify in these verses, including the following: Trusting in the living God rather than uncertain riches prepares us for eternal life.)
To help students better understand and feel the importance of this truth, invite them to look up “Riches” in Guide to the Scriptures (Gospel Library) and study some of the related scripture passages. Invite students to share any insights they gained from their study. You might also ask a question like the following:
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What do you know about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that can help you prioritize your relationship with Them over money or material possessions? (As part of this discussion, you could watch “We Can Find Happiness” [6:18].)
6:18
Invite students to consider how they can apply the truths you have discussed today to their lives. Invite them to record actions they will take and any other impressions they have received from the Holy Ghost.
How can the word of God help me survive the perilous times of the last days?
Consider beginning this learning activity by discussing the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson:
My dear brothers and sisters, so many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns “with power and great glory” [Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:36], He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.
Nonetheless, we are presently living in what surely is a most complicated time in the history of the world. The complexities and challenges leave many people feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. (“Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 95)
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What thoughts do you have about this statement?
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What are some of the complexities and challenges of our time that can leave people feeling overwhelmed and exhausted?
Explain that both ancient and modern prophets have warned about the complexities and challenges associated with the last days. Paul shared some of these warnings in his second letter to Timothy. Encourage students as they study to consider how Paul’s counsel can help them navigate the challenges they face.
Read 2 Timothy 3:1–7, 12–13; 4:3–4, looking for Paul’s descriptions of dangers in the last days. For help understanding difficult words or phrases in these verses, consider referring students to “2 Timothy 3:1–7. What did Paul teach about the perils of the last days?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.
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What examples of the conditions Paul described have you have seen in the world today?
It may be helpful to share the following experience President Boyd K. Packer had while reading Paul’s prophecy recorded in 2 Timothy 3. President Packer related:
While studying one day, I read to that point and sat pondering about all the evidence that now confirms every element in that prophecy. There was a mood of very deep gloom and foreboding, a very ominous feeling of frustration, almost futility. I glanced down the page, and one word stood out, not accidently I think. I read it eagerly and then discovered that the apostle who had prophesied all of that trouble had included in the same discourse the immunization against all of it. (“Teach the Scriptures” [address to Church Educational System religious educators, Oct. 14, 1977], 5).
Explain that the word that stood out to President Packer was scriptures (see 2 Timothy 3:15). Invite students to study 2 Timothy 3:14–17, looking for Paul’s counsel about what the scriptures can provide us amid the perils of our day.
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How do you think God’s words in the scriptures can help provide immunization from the perils of the last days?
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How would you summarize what Paul taught about the scriptures? (Using their own words, students could identify a truth like the following: As we study the word of God, we can gain wisdom that will lead us to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.)
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What are some of God’s words in the scriptures that have helped you navigate the challenges of our day? (Consider inviting multiple students to respond to this question. They could read their chosen scripture passage to the class and then explain how they have been blessed by the Lord’s teachings in this passage.)
Encourage students to think of ways they could improve their scripture study so they can receive more of the Lord’s guidance in their lives. Encourage them to act on promptings they have received from the Holy Ghost.
Improving Our Teaching and Learning
Help learners find personal relevance in the doctrine of Jesus Christ. As you study the scriptures with your students, teach them to look for details in the storyline and to make comparisons and connections between the accounts and their own lives. The Holy Ghost can help students recognize how the truths they are studying connect with their personal needs and circumstances. Watch for ways to provide time in class for this to happen for students.