Objective Learning that with the support of their

Objective: Learning that, with the support of their families, some people are ready at an early age to take on the responsibility of their faith. Timothy

Opening Prayer v. Heavenly Father, through these words help me understand the things you wish to teach me. v. Dear Jesus, through these words let me feel the love you have for me as you feel your Father’s love for you. v. Holy Spirit, through these words inspire me to live as a follower of Jesus and bring your love to everyone I meet today. v. Amen

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity. (1 Timothy 4: 12) Verse of the Day

Timothy’s Hometown �Born at Lystra, Lycaonia. �Lycaonia translates as “wolfland. ” �A remote town, essentially in the middle of nowhere. �Residents spoke their native Lycaonian dialect instead of the universal Greek language. �A few retired Roman soldiers lived there as well as a small Jewish population. According to Acts 14: 1 -7, there were no main Roman roads in the area and it was basically out-of-your-way-to-anywhere in the province of Galatia. It was twenty miles on foot to the next decent sized town of Iconium.

Timothy’s Family � Son of a Greek father (unbeliever) and Eunice, a convert from Judaism. � Product of a “forbidden marriage. ” Intermarriage was A Big Deal! � Ostracized and singled out by other Jewish families – cut off from God’s covenant family. � Would not have been educated at synagogue school with the other Jewish boys or read the Torah with them or allowed to participate during Jewish festivals. � Not allowed to marry a Jewish girl. “No one born of a forbidden marriage, or his descendants, may enter the assembly of the Lord, even down to the tenth generation. ” (Deuteronomy 23: 2)

Meeting Paul �Paul and Barnabas visited Lystra on their first trip to Galatia, where they were mistaken for Greek gods. �Timothy’s mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, converted from Judaism, possibly during this visit. �A few years later, Paul and Silas returned to Lystra. Most scholars think that Timothy was probably 10 -12 years old when Paul came through the first time and a young teenager when he came back two years later.

Timothy Follows Paul �Timothy had a strong Jewish background, taught by his mother and grandmother. �Paul saw something in Timothy, a perseverance, a “never quit” attitude in the face of unfavorable obstacles, that made him think that Timothy could be what it took to be a disciple of Jesus. �Timothy became a follower of Paul and one of the key figures in all of Christianity. Every Jewish boy’s dream was to be able to study under a famous rabbi. By the age of 15, most boys were relegated to learning the family trade. Only a few of the best and brightest were able to continue their studies with a rabbi.

Timothy’s Ministry �Immediately after leaving his hometown, Timothy went with Paul to Macedonia and Achaia. �He was with Paul for all of his second missionary journey. �When Paul took his third missionary journey, Timothy went with him as his aide. �When Paul was first imprisoned in Rome, Timothy was there as his friend. Paul often calls Timothy, “my beloved son” and “my true son in the faith. ” “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon…I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ” (Philippians 2: 19 -22)

St. Timothy � Preaching: Travelled with Paul on 2 nd and 3 rd missions; cosender of six of Paul’s letters to the New Testament churches. � Diocese: First Bishop of Ephesus � Martyred: Stoned to death in Ephesus when he opposed a pagan festival honoring the Greek goddess Diana, 97 AD. � Patron Saint: Intestinal disorders and against stomach diseases. � Memorial Day: January 26 with St. Titus

Timothy & Titus Video

Attendance Sheets Activities on check in table Return to this room for last 20 minutes for You Matter presentation Special Instructions

Go to your rooms for Small Group o o o Room 3 Merrigan Room 4 Engle Room 5 Hildebrand Room 6 Martin Room 7 Russell Return to this room for Reflection & Closing Prayer Small Groups

1 Timothy 4: 12 Video

Sit together in your small groups Those who have opted out come forward when your name is called Two adults needed in Room 7 to lead alternate activity You Matter

You Matter �Because the church is concerned about your safety, the leaders have asked that we distribute this booklet and talk about what you would do in case you found yourself in a difficult situation. Booklets will be distributed after the presentation. If we talk about situations ahead of time and know what we would do, it is easier to be sure that we are safe.

Gifts from God �God gives each of us special gifts that we are to use to do good things. You might recognize these gifts as your strengths. �In addition to these strengths, there are others things that might not come so easily. Some people call them weaknesses, but that doesn’t mean you are too weak to change them! Think about your strengths and the things you might need to work on. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; it if is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12: 6 -8)

Searching for Strength �In addition to gifts, God also provides other things that will help you grow up and be strong and close to Him. What are some things that help strengthen us?

Making Good Decisions Situation 1 What do you do? �You are separated from A: Go with him to look for your family. B: Politely but firmly say no and go find a trusted adult to help your family while on vacation. A stranger sees that you look concerned and offers to help you find them or give you a ride. � What should you look for to know if a stranger is trustworthy? � No stranger should be trusted!

Making Good Decisions Situation 2 �A man who is your parents’ friend hugs you too much, makes you feel weird or touches you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable. What do you do? A: Tell your Mom, Dad or a trusted adult what he did immediately. B: Don’t say anything since your mom and Dad might get upset. C: Tell your best friend, but make her promise not to tell anyone. � Identify some trusted adults.

Making Good Decisions Situation 3 �A teacher asks you to come by her classroom after school and tells you it is a secret… something doesn’t feel quite right to you. What do you do? A: Go to her classroom and keep it a secret. B: Talk to your parents or an adult you trust first. � Even if someone you are supposed to trust, like a teacher, makes you feel uncomfortable, you need to seek help from someone else— especially a parent.

Making Good Decisions Situation 4 What do you do? �You are being bullied at A: Ignore it and hope they will stop. B: Go to your school counselor or another adult you trust and talk to them about it. school by an older student. Every time you see this bully, you get a stomach ache. � Bullying is ALWAYS wrong and should never happen! No one deserves that.

Making Good Decisions Situation 5 �In the lunchroom (or bathroom or locker room), you see another student sitting alone crying. What do you do? A: Nothing since you don’t know them and it’s none of your business. B: Go over to them, ask what is wrong and offer to walk them over to talk to a teacher or counselor. � NEVER try to help a friend or peer who has a serious problem on your own! � Identify situations when you should seek adult help.

Take Action �In some situations, the good decision was to tell someone what’s going on. But what do you do before that, while the situation is happening? �If you find yourself in a situation with someone that makes you feel weird, uncomfortable, scared or worried, use the “No-Go-Tell” rule.

No! Go! Tell! �NO! Say the words that mean NO. What can you say? Quit! Stop! I want you to stop! Stop now! No! Don’t do that to me! Cut it out! Go away! OR use any other words that mean NO for you. �GO! Get away as soon and as safely as you can. What can you do? Go into a room where others are gathered. Go home if you are close and you know someone is there. Find a mother with kids if you are in a public place and need help. Walk in the other direction from the person bothering you. Go anywhere there is an adult who can help you. Tell a police officer. �TELL! Tell an adult you trust what happened. Who can you trust? Mother * Father * Grandparents * Aunt * Uncle * Priest * Teacher * Youth Minister * Any other ADULT you trust Yell if you’re really scared!

You Are So Special �So you know god loves you because He made you like nobody else in the world. �He also gave you special gifts. Because you are so special to God, He never wants anyone to hurt you. �Nobody has the right to hurt you, and you don’t have the right to hurt anyone else. If someone makes you feel weird or worried, Or asks you to keep a secret from your parents or teachers, Or gives you candy or presents to keep secret, Or hurts or threatens you, Or Touches you in a wrong way… Tell your parents, a priest, a teacher or an adult that you trust. God wants these people to help you because you are so special!

Announcements Ø Ø Ø TODAY!!!………………. . Six Flags Permission Slips Due! April 21 & 24…. . . Priscilla & Aquila April 27…………………. Six Flags Day April 28 & May 1………St. Peter Chanel May 5 & 8………. . Review & Party

Prayer Petitions � Lord, help me accept and appreciate the faith that has been handed on to me. We pray to the LORD. R. LORD, hear our prayer. � God, bless all who have been dedicated to guiding me, especially my parents, teachers, counselors, and coaches. We pray to the LORD. R. LORD, hear our prayer. � Lord, strengthen and bless those in leadership roles in my parish, especially my pastor. We pray to the LORD. R. LORD, hear our prayer. � Dear God, help me follow and speak the truth as Timothy did. We pray to the LORD. R. LORD, hear our prayer.

Closing Prayer Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen