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Childrens Book of 1 Timothy
Chapters 3 - 4

I have written this for children, based solely on the Word of God, but condensed for them... and used Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary for clarification of some words. My added comments are in italics, memory verses are included.

Paul's letter to Timothy regarding how Christians should conduct their lives, and order in the churches.

Chapter 3

This is the truth, if a man desires the office of a bishop he desires a good work (bishop means overseer, or pastor, the one who watches over and cares for the members of the church)

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, watchful against danger, serious, of good behaviour, one who is hospitable (that means he welcomes strangers into his home), able to teach, not a drinker of wine, not violent, not greedy for money, he must be patient, now one who likes to fight, not one who desires something that someone else has, one that rules his home, his children being obedient and submissive to their father as head of the home (For if a man doesn't know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?

Not a new Christian, unless he becomes filled with pride and falls into the temptations of the devil.

He must be well thought of and spoken of by those that are not members of the church, not one who might be accused by his neighbours.

In the same way, deacons (one who serves in the church) must be serious, not be one who says one thing to one person and a different thing to someone else.  They must not drink much wine, nor be greedy for money.  They must be spiritual mature and hold dear the doctrines of the Christian faith. Let them be found trustworthy and faithful before they are given the office of being a deacon.  Let them be blameless.  Their wives must be serious, not given to gossiping, faithful in all things.  The deacons must be husbands of one wife, and rule their children and their houses well.

They that are deacons have a good standing, and boldness (to freely preach) in the faith in Christ Jesus.

These things I (Paul) write to you, hoping to come to you soon.  But if I delay,so you may know how you should behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

And without debate, great is the mystery of godliness: God was formed in the flesh, justified (righteous) in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Memory Verse: 1 Timothy 3:16 "and without debate, great is the mystery of godliness, God was formed in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

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Chapter 4

Now the Spirit (Paul, as all who wrote the bible, writes as led by the Spirit) speaks concerning this matter, that in the final days (before the coming again of our Lord Jesus) some shall fall away from the faith, choosing to listen to false teachers, and doctrines which are not the truths of God. 

These (who fall away) act like Christians, but they are not, their conscience (that which tells them what is right and what is wrong) is hardened (against the Christian faith).  They forbid marriage, and command that meat shall not be eaten, which God created to be thankfully received by those who believe and know the truth.

Every creature that God created is good, and is not to be refused (as food) if it is thankfully received.  For it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

If you remind the brothers (in Christ) about these things, then you are a good minister of Jesus Christ, built up in the words of faith and good doctrine (teachings of the Lord Jesus).  But reject things that are not pure (not the truth of the word of God) and stories that old women listen to, but put your efforts into godly things.  Exercising your body has little value, but godliness has great value to all things, with the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come (when we are with the Lord Jesus)..  This is a faithful saying and worthy to be accepted.

We labour (for the gospel) and suffer the scorn and contempt of others, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those that believe. 

These things command and teach.  Let no man have a reason to speak against you because you are young, but be an example of the believers: in word, in behaviour, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity (his acts and his reasons for doing things).  Until I come, pay attention to reading (the scriptures), to preaching the word, and to doctrine (the teachings of the Lord Jesus).  Do not neglect the gift that was given to you.  (Believers are gifted with some ability to serve God, according to his plan for each believer).

Think upon these things, give your whole self to them, that your progress (in the things of the Lord) will be seen by all.  Pay attention to yourself, and to the doctrine (teachings of the Lord Jesus) continue in them, for in doing this you will save not only yourself (from the false teachings that this chapter began with), but those that hear you (will also be saved from the false teachers.)

Memory Verse: 1 Timothy 4:8 "Exercising your body has little value, but godliness has great value to all things, with the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.. "

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V. Gross/Jan'07