WEAK THINGS
Go deeper
Be Thou an Example0/7

Scripture Story Sketch Notes · 1 Timothy 4; 2 Timothy 1; 3

Be Thou an
Example

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers.” 1 Timothy 4:12

Timothy learned the scriptures from his grandmother and mother, then served as a young Church leader. Paul told him not to let his age hold him back, and to show others what following Christ looks like.

Begin with Timothy ↓ Read 1 Timothy 4:12–16 first
Hand-drawn doodle map: Paul with his hand on young Timothy’s shoulder, a small boy reading a scroll with his grandmother and mother, elders laying hands on the young man’s head, the young man speaking kindly to older people, helping an elderly woman carry a basket, kneeling in prayer, reading scrolls to a congregation, and leading young people along a lit path.

Before you begin

The story in brief

Timothy grew up in Lystra with a Greek father and a believing Jewish mother. His grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice taught him the scriptures, so that “from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures.” When Paul came through, Timothy joined him as a missionary, and Paul came to call him “my own son in the faith.”

Later Timothy led the Church in Ephesus, even though he was young. Paul wrote to encourage him: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” He reminded Timothy that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Who’s who

  • Timothy: a young Church leader
  • Lois and Eunice: his grandmother and mother
  • Paul: the Apostle, his mentor
  • Jesus Christ: the One every example points to

Where and when

Letters from Paul to Timothy, a young leader in Ephesus.

Watch for the Savior

Watch how faith in Christ passes from one person to the next.

Read it yourself: 1 Timothy 4:12–16

Part 1 of 7

The example, mapped

Eight stops from a grandmother’s lap to leading others along the path. Scroll, or tap a number on the map.

    Part 2 of 7

    The story, plainly

    Four scenes: from a child, a young leader, quiet charity and reading the scriptures. Look for the Savior in each one.

    Read it plainly

    The words that trip people up

    Tap any dotted word for its meaning. The scripture stays exactly as written.1

    1. 1 Timothy 4:12“let no man thy youth”
    2. 1 Timothy 4:12“in ”
    3. 1 Timothy 4:13“give to reading”
    4. 1 Timothy 4:13“to ”
    5. 1 Timothy 4:14“the ”
    6. 1 Timothy 1:5“the faith that is in thee”

    Part 3 of 7

    Look closer

    Small details tell the story. Some cards are details in the text; others share insights from Church leaders or Church resources. Each card says which.

    0 of 9 turned

    Part 4 of 7

    Where are you?

    Too young, afraid to speak up, quietly serving, or teaching others. Which feels most like you right now?

    Try it

    An example of the believers

    Paul listed six ways Timothy could show his faith in Christ. Tap the things you’ll try this week and watch each one grow.

    “Each member can be an example of the believers.” Elder Russell M. Nelson

    Part 5 of 7

    Their world, their words

    A little background helps us picture Timothy’s family and his calling. Outside sources are labeled.

    Church resource · Student manual

    A mixed family

    “Timothy’s father was a Greek Gentile,” and his mother and grandmother taught him the scriptures.8

    Faith passed hand to hand.

    Scripture · Acts 16

    Well reported of

    When Paul met Timothy at Lystra, he “was well reported of by the brethren.”5

    His example was already known.

    Church resource · Student manual

    A young leader

    In 1 Timothy, Paul counseled “Timothy, a Church leader in Ephesus,” to keep doctrine sound.8

    Older Saints were in his care.

    Church resource · Student manual

    Trusted friend

    Timothy became “one of Paul’s most trusted associates.” He “is mentioned in seven of Paul’s epistles.”8

    A lifelong companion in the work.

    Word study · Greek

    kataphroneō καταφρονέω · “despise” (1 Timothy 4:12)

    Bible Hub: “to think little of.”9 Outside · lexicon

    Don’t let anyone think little of you because you’re young.1

    Word study · Greek

    anastrophē ἀναστροφή · “conversation” (1 Timothy 4:12)

    Bible Hub: “behavior, conduct.”10 Outside · lexicon

    Your whole way of living, not only your words.1

    What the text does not say

    The story does not say Timothy was fearless. Paul reminds him that God gives “not … the spirit of fear,” and tells him, “Be not thou therefore ashamed.” Courage was something he kept asking the Lord for.3

    Part 6 of 7

    Look to Him

    He is the One every example points to, and the source of power, love and a sound mind.

    “Whether full-time missionaries or members, we should all be good examples of the believers in Jesus Christ.”

    Elder Russell M. Nelson6
    “Each member can be an example of the believers. Brethren, as followers of Jesus Christ, each of you can live in accord with His teachings.”
    Elder Russell M. Nelson6
    “The light of the Lord can beam from your eyes.”
    Elder Russell M. Nelson6
    “In very small, incremental steps, I was becoming a believer—and ‘an example of the believers.’”
    Ann M. Dibb7

    Paul

    Power, love, a sound mind

    “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

    Paul

    Wise unto salvation

    “From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15

    Part 7 of 7

    Seek Him today

    A question to ask in prayer

    Who is watching my example, and how can I help them see Christ? 1 Timothy 4:12

    Ask Heavenly Father to bring to mind someone who looks up to you. Then choose one way to show them what following Jesus looks like.

    Try it today

    One way each day. It saves on this device, one day at a time.

    0 of 7 today

    This week:0 of 7 days

    A quiet moment

    “Be thou an example of the believers.”

    Read 1 Timothy 4:12–16 slowly. Think of someone whose example helped you come closer to the Savior. Thank Heavenly Father for them, and ask how you can do the same. 1 Timothy 4:12–16

    A verse to hold

    Talk about it

    1. Who taught Timothy the scriptures when he was small?
    2. What six ways did Paul say Timothy could be an example?
    3. Why might people have looked down on Timothy?
    4. Who is someone you could be an example for?
    Open

    For adults and deeper study

    Go deeper

    Longer readings, harder questions, and where to study next. Each one says what it is before you click.
    Apostle

    Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Be Thou an Example of the Believers” (2010)

    How every member, not just full-time missionaries, can be an example of the believers in Jesus Christ.6

    Read the talk →
    Church leader

    Ann M. Dibb, “Be Thou an Example of the Believers” (2009)

    How small and simple choices in youth build a lifelong pattern of following Christ.7

    Read the talk →
    Church resource

    New Testament Student Manual: 1 and 2 Timothy

    Timothy’s family, his calling in Ephesus, and Paul’s counsel to young leaders.8

    Read the chapter →
    Scripture

    2 Timothy 1 and 3: a faith passed down

    Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice, the gift of “a sound mind,” and scriptures known from childhood.3

    2 Timothy 1 →   2 Timothy 3 →
    To ponder

    Harder questions

    • Why might Paul list both “word” and “conversation” (way of life)?
    • How did Lois and Eunice shape Timothy’s ministry long before he met Paul?
    • How can a young person’s example strengthen older Church members?

    Sources

    Every quotation, gloss, and piece of background on this page is listed here: scripture first, then Church sources, then outside scholarship (labeled).

    Scripture

    1. 1 Timothy 4:12–16: “Be thou an example of the believers.”
    2. 1 Timothy 1:2: “Timothy, my own son in the faith.”
    3. 2 Timothy 1:5–8: Lois, Eunice and “a sound mind.”
    4. 2 Timothy 3:14–17: “From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures.”
    5. Acts 16:1–3: Paul meets Timothy at Lystra.

    Church leaders and Church resources

    1. Elder Russell M. Nelson, “Be Thou an Example of the Believers”, general conference, October 2010.
    2. Ann M. Dibb, “Be Thou an Example of the Believers”, general conference, April 2009.
    3. New Testament Student Manual, “1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon”, Gospel Library.

    Outside sources (labeled on the page)

    1. Strong’s 2706, kataphroneō, Bible Hub lexicon.
    2. Strong’s 391, anastrophē, Bible Hub lexicon.
    3. Strong’s 4244, presbyterion, Bible Hub lexicon.

    Quotations checked against the linked pages on October 11, 2026. Scripture is quoted from the King James Version as published in the Gospel Library.

    “Be thou an example”

    Show the way. Your example can help someone come to Christ. 1 Timothy 4:12

    Back to this week: October 18–24 Earlier: Philemon and Onesimus Next story: The Anchor of the Soul All New Testament Story Sketch Notes
    Inside pages of the Be Thou an Example printable sketch notes

    Printable sketch notes

    Be Thou an Example, ready to print $3.99

    Everything on this page as a 11-page letter-size PDF: the map, scenes, cards, activity, word studies, tracker, Go deeper and sources. For home, class or a quiet Sunday.

    See the printable · $3.99All New Testament sketch notes

    Independent study notes from Weak Things, not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. The story is told in 1 and 2 Timothy and Acts 16; the insights in “Look closer” are labeled by source.