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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading

Small Cap Value Fund

CLASS A: TPLNX     |     CLASS C: TSVCX

Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock The investment objective of this Fund is to provide you with long-term growth of capital, with a secondary objective of current income.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading FEES AND EXPENSES
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Timothy Plan Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “How to Reduce Your Sales Charge” on page 65 of the prospectus and “Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares” on page 33 of the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Timothy Plan Funds.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount $ 50,000
Shareholder Fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees

(fees paid directly from your investment)
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock A one percent (1%) contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on any Class C shares sold within the first twelve months after purchase.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment.)
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text] rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of average net assets in the Financial Highlights Table, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund fees and expenses.
Example: rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example:
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Expense Example Closing [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleClosingTextBlock The Example does not reflect sales charges (loads) on reinvested dividends and other distributions. If these sales charges (loads) were included, your costs would be higher.
Expense Example, No Redemption: rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract  
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 102.20% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 102.20%
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock
•   The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by primarily investing at least 80% of the Fund’s total assets in U.S. Small Cap stocks. Small Cap stocks refer to the common stock of smaller companies — companies whose total market capitalization is less than $2 billion. This Fund invests using a value investing style. Value funds typically emphasize stocks whose prices are below average in relation to such measures as earnings and book value; these stocks often have above-average dividend yields. Growth and value stocks have historically produced similar long-term returns, though each category has periods when it outperforms the other.
 
•   In determining whether to invest in a particular company, the Fund’s Investment Manager focuses on a number of different attributes of the company, including the company’s market expertise, balance sheet, improving return on equity, price to earnings ratios, industry position and strength, management and a number of other factors. Analyzing companies in this manner is known as a “bottom up” approach to investing. Companies that meet or exceed specific criteria established by the Manager in the selection process are purchased. Securities are sold when they reach internally determined pricing targets or no longer qualify under the Manager’s investment criteria.
 
•   The Fund may invest in equity securities of foreign issuers in the form of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). ADRs are certificates held in trust by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of shares of foreign-based issuers, and are an alternative to purchasing foreign securities in their national market and currency.
 
•   The Fund may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions. When the Fund takes a defensive position, the Fund’s assets will be held in cash and/or cash equivalents.
 
•   The Fund will not invest in Excluded Securities. Excluded Securities are securities issued by any company that is involved in the production or wholesale distribution of alcohol, tobacco, or gambling equipment, gambling enterprises, or which is involved, either directly or indirectly, in abortion or pornography, or promoting anti-family entertainment or alternative lifestyles.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading PRINCIPAL RISKS
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock
1.   General Risk | As with most other mutual funds, you can lose money by investing in this Fund. Share prices fluctuate from day to day, and when you sell your shares, they may be worth less than you paid for them.
 
2.   Stock Market Risk | The Fund is an equity fund, so it is subject to the risks inherent in the stock market in general. The stock market is cyclical, with prices generally rising and falling over periods of time. Some of these price cycles can be pronounced and last for a long time.
 
3.   Smaller Company Investing Risk | Investing in smaller companies often involves greater risk than investing in larger companies. Smaller companies may not have the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. The securities of smaller companies, therefore, tend to be more volatile than the securities of larger, more established companies. Smaller company stocks tend to be bought and sold less often and in smaller amounts than larger company stocks. Because of this, if a fund wants to sell a large quantity of a small-sized company’s stock, it may have to sell at a lower price than would otherwise be indicated, or it may have to sell in smaller than desired quantities over an increased time period.
 
4.   Excluded Security Risk | Because the Fund does not invest in Excluded Securities, and will divest itself of securities that are subsequently discovered to be ineligible, the Fund may be riskier than other funds that invest in a broader array of securities.
 
5.   Foreign Risk | The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than funds with investments solely in securities of U.S. companies. This is because the securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a smaller number of industries. Foreign issuers are not subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Also, nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation or political changes could adversely affect the Fund’s investments in a foreign country. There is a risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments in foreign securities.
 
6.   Value Investing Risk | Because different types of stocks tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market and economic conditions, “value” stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and other types of stocks and can continue to be undervalued by the market for long periods of time. It is also possible that a value stock may never appreciate to the extent expected.
 
7.   Who Should Buy This Fund | The Fund is most appropriate for investors who understand the risks of investing in the stock market and who are willing to accept moderate amounts of volatility and risk.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney As with most other mutual funds, you can lose money by investing in this Fund.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading PAST PERFORMANCE
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s performance from year to year and by comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad based index. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. More up-to-date returns are available on the Fund’s website at www.timothyplan.com, or by calling the Fund at (800) 846-7526.

The bar chart does not reflect sales charges. If these charges were reflected, the returns would be less than those shown.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s performance from year to year and by comparing the Fund’s performance to a broad based index.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.timothyplan.com
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone (800) 846-7526
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads The bar chart does not reflect sales charges. If these charges were reflected, the returns would be less than those shown.
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Year-by-year Annual Total Returns for Class A Shares

(for calendar years ending on December 31)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best          Worst

Quarter       Quarter

Jun-03             Dec-08

20.35%            -26.99
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns

(for periods ending on December 31, 2011)
Performance Table Narrative rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. After-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns displayed are for class A shares only, and after-tax returns for other classes will vary.
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown After-tax returns displayed are for class A shares only, and after-tax returns for other classes will vary.
Class A
  
Shareholder Fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as % of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.50%
Maximum deferred sales charges (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of original purchase price or redemption proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none [1]
Redemption fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Exchange fees rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption none
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Management Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.85%
Distribution/Service(12b-1 Fees) rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (including administrative fees, transfer agency fees, sub-transfer agency fees, and all other ordinary operating expenses not listed above) rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.43%
Fees and Expenses of Acquired Funds rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.54% [2]
Example: rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 697
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 1,007
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,338
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,273
Annual Total Returns rr_BarChartTableAbstract  
2002 rr_AnnualReturn2002 (19.25%)
2003 rr_AnnualReturn2003 38.81%
2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 11.60%
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 (1.01%)
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 19.69%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 2.87%
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (32.50%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 20.05%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 24.20%
2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (2.72%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2003
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 20.35%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (26.99%)
Class C
  
Shareholder Fees rr_ShareholderFeesAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as % of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum deferred sales charges (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of original purchase price or redemption proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [1]
Redemption fees rr_RedemptionFeeOverRedemption none
Exchange fees rr_ExchangeFeeOverRedemption none
Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_OperatingExpensesAbstract  
Management Fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.85%
Distribution/Service(12b-1 Fees) rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses (including administrative fees, transfer agency fees, sub-transfer agency fees, and all other ordinary operating expenses not listed above) rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.43%
Fees and Expenses of Acquired Funds rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.29% [2]
Example: rr_ExpenseExampleAbstract  
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 331
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 712
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,220
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,615
Expense Example, No Redemption: rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionAbstract  
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 231
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 712
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,220
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,615
Return before taxes | Class A
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (8.07%)
5 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (0.98%)
10 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.50%
Return before taxes | Class C
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.36%)
5 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (0.58%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.58%
Return after taxes on distributions | Class A
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (8.07%) [3]
5 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (1.71%) [3]
10 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.48% [3]
Return after taxes on distributions | Class C
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.36%) [3]
5 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (1.38%) [3]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.24% [3]
Return after taxes on distributions and sale of shares | Class A
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (5.24%) [3]
5 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (1.12%) [3]
10 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 2.67% [3]
Return after taxes on distributions and sale of shares | Class C
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.83%) [3]
5 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (0.80%) [3]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 1.78% [3]
Russell 2000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Class A
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.18%) [4]
5 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.15% [4]
10 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.62% [4]
Russell 2000 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Class C
  
Average Annual Total Returns rr_AverageAnnualReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.18%) [4]
5 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.15% [4]
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.48% [4]
[1] A one percent (1%) contingent deferred sales charge is imposed on any Class C shares sold within the first twelve months after purchase.
[2] Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of average net assets in the Financial Highlights Table, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund fees and expenses.
[3] After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. After-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns displayed are for class A shares only, and after-tax returns for other classes will vary.
[4] The Russell 2000 Index is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of 2000 Small Capitalization companies in the United States. The Index assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and does not reflect any asset-based charges for investment management or other expenses.