Even the youngest child can have a deep and abiding faith. It is unfortunate when adults dismiss the sincerity of a young people’s faith, or their passionate ideas for serving God, simply because of their age. Thankfully Paul did not succumb to this error.
Timothy was a young believer when he became acquainted with Paul. Timothy’s name means “one who honors God,” and he spent his life trying to do just that.
We first meet Timothy in the Bible in Acts 16:1-3. We learn from this that his mother was a Christian but his father was not. Later, in 2 Timothy 1:5, we learn that Timothy’s mother’s name was Eunice, and that his grandmother Lois was also a believer.
Timothy was such a steady companion of Paul’s throughout the years that his name appears as co-author of six of the New Testament letters (2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, both letters to the Thessalonians, and Philemon).
Ultimately Timothy become a leader in the Church at Ephesus, and two of the books of the New Testament (1 Timothy and 2 Timothy) are letters Paul wrote to him.
In his first letter to Timothy, Paul encouraged him: “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.” (1 Timothy 4:12, NIV)
It is important for children to know that God does not look at their size, or their age, or their hair color, or anything else external about them. He looks at their heart. God knew Timothy’s heart was with Him.
