First and Second Timothy and Titus

In the winter of 1972, January to be exact, me and my family moved from Phoenix, Arizona to Lubbock, Texas to attend the Sunset School of Preaching. My intentions and desire was to become a preacher of the Gospel, learning from men who I knew would lead me deep into God’s holy Word. I was not disappointed! The Book was opened up to me far beyond my expectation, and sometimes, the assignments and homework went far beyond what I thought was appropriate. I became acquainted with God and His word in a depth I never thought possible. Needles to say, this in-depth study of God’s word began to affect changes in me and continues to do so.

But, there were other “books” that were having an influence on my life – the lives of my teachers – the word was being lived out in the lives of men who exemplified everything I was being taught. Men like Tex Williams, the author of this book, and others of the instructors in the  Sunset School of Preaching. I learned that the most powerful and long-lasting teaching is that of an example.

This is one of the powerful messages of these three epistles. The example of Paul is held up over and over again to both Timothy and Titus as encouragement to continue in the faith and practice of Christianity. Thus Paul would say to a struggling Timothy: “And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2). And so elders, older men, younger men, both older and younger women along with preachers and teachers are exhorted and admonished to be active in propagating the healthy Christian teaching handed down/taught to us by godly men and women who mentored us in our struggle to live the Christian life. Tex Williams has been, as Paul was, faithful in passing down his faith not only to us but to many others, and it is our responsibility to continue the fight. As you read this book, read it with the understanding we have a great heritage in Christ and a big part of that heritage is both the joy and privilege of influencing others in the cause of Christ. So Tex would echo the admonition of the apostle Paul. “Preach the word.” And be “urgent” in doing so!