PROJECT TIMOTHY Lesson One

This is a series developed specifically for Young Men. As I travel around the Territory I am struck by the lack of young men at any of our events. It seems that we have forgotten that the young men will be the ones in control very soon. In the Jewish custom a boy became a man at 13. He had a Bar Mitzvah and was considered to be entering manhood. I have named this Series, Project Timothy. I did this as a call back to that wonderful relationship that the apostle Paul had with a young man he was mentoring named Timothy. It is the goal of this series to call young men back to the reality that to be a man is much more than just getting your drivers license. Look around in your corps right now. How many high school and college students do you see? If it is not many it is on you right now to go out and find them. It is time that we recognize that being a man of God begins before your children leave the house. If you are reading this and are in high school or college the time is now for you to stand up and out! Do you want to be a champion for God? It takes so much more for a teenage boy to have the courage to stand for Christ than it did 20 years ago. But today is the time and the call is to MAN UP !

1 Timothy 4 New International Version (NIV) 4 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, [a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.a 10 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Do you feel like you are ready to be a man? What areas of your life do you need to clean up? What does a Godly Man look like?

10 Steps to being a great Young Man 1. Get Saved. Ask Jesus to be your Savior and your Lord. 2. Be Fair to everyone. 3. Love Others. 4. Take Your Bible everywhere you go and read it daily. 5. Pray every day and pray with others when they have needs. 6. Go to the Corps/Youth Group every week. 7. Talk to others about Jesus. 8. Donate Time and Money to help the less fortunate. 9. Find Godly Friends. 10. Teach the Younger Children about Jesus.

This series is not a how to.. It is a why not? It is not a manual for living.. It is a call to really live. This is a call to all men to remember that young men are MEN! This is a call to remind you not to waste your youth. The strength of your youth is your glory. I want to remind you that Joseph was 17 when God gave him the dream that would change his life. David was teenager when he faced Goliath. Daniel and his three friends were teenagers as well when they stood in defiance against the Babylonian king. Jesus was 12 when he was in the temple confounding the teachers of the law. Being young has it advantages. You have the strength to get things done. You have not been worn down by life and all its challenges. Do not be ashamed of your youth. Do not wish it away. Acknowledge it. Channel it. Use it. There is a great advantage being young. You have a fertile mind, a quick ability to learn, your character is ready and eager to be molded by God. Do not let an intimidating world tell you what you can and cannot do. Listen to God and Him alone. The world with all of its noise is filling your mind with garbage. Be all that God has called you to be. Time to MAN UP !