6. Paul and Timothy
Question 1: Whom do people sometimes say you act or talk like?
THE POINT
Focus your mentoring on growth in Christ and in His Word.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Most children want to be like one of their parents. I was no exception. My dad was in the grocery business, and although I had no desire to follow his footsteps as a store owner, I certainly wanted to be like him. I grew up working in my dad’s store on Saturdays and during the summer. I watched how he handled the customers, stocked the shelves, and worked the cash register. And I imitated all that I saw. It wasn’t long before people would say, “You did that just like your dad would have.”
Even today, my wife will point to something I said or a hand gesture I used, and she will exclaim, “You’re just like your dad!” I take that as a high compliment. I can see my dad in a lot of what I do and how I react. After all, he was a great role model!
In many ways, that’s what mentoring is all about: learning to follow the pattern of others so that spiritual growth happens.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Acts 16:1-5
1 Paul went on to Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman, but his father was a Greek. 2 The brothers and sisters at Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to go with him; so he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, since they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled through the towns, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem for the people to observe. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.
Acts 16 details the beginning of Paul’s second missionary journey. It was then the young man Timothy most likely was converted to faith in Christ. Timothy was spoken highly of by the believers in both Lystra and nearby Iconium.
Now on his second missionary journey, Paul and Timothy were reacquainted. Timothy’s father was Greek, and the verb tense in the phrase “his father was a Greek” hints that Timothy’s father may have been deceased at the time of Paul’s arrival. Thus, Paul may have become like a father figure to Timothy. Later Paul would call Timothy his “true son in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2). Timothy, for his part, became a valuable assistant to the apostle.
The decision by Timothy to accept Paul’s invitation to join their missionary endeavor certainly was made with complete knowledge of the dangers faced. No doubt Timothy and his family had either been present or learned almost immediately of the stoning Paul received on that first visit to Lystra. Yet Timothy responded to God’s call through Paul to accompany Paul and Silas on the continuation of their trip. In doing so, Paul would directly mentor Timothy as he walked side-by-side with him each day of the journey. Timothy would see all aspects of Paul’s character, both private and public.
Question 2: How have others’ examples helped you grow as a Christian?
Note the principles of mentoring in this passage. The best mentoring takes place one-on-one as you share daily life with the person with whom you are working. Working together on a common goal allows plenty of opportunities for teaching. This also gives opportunities for the one being discipled to take the lead in the tasks at hand. Such hands-on training is extremely valuable. There is no better training than to watch the example of a mentor and being involved in the work as it unfolds.
One other thing that stands out in the story of Timothy is the role his mother played in his conversion and growth as a believer. In this passage, we are only told that Timothy was “the son of a believing Jewish woman,” but 2 Timothy mentions her by name, Eunice, as well as his grandmother Lois (1:5). In that passage, Paul commented on the sincere faith shared between son, mother, and grandmother. These women obviously played a role in his spiritual growth. Timothy was blessed to have several people speak into his life to disciple and mentor him.
2 Timothy 2:1-2
1 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
In the months and years following Paul’s invitation for Timothy to join the second missionary journey, Timothy proved to be a valuable partner in the spreading of the gospel. Paul sent Timothy on a variety of important missions on his behalf. Timothy served as Paul’s representative to various churches. In his later years, Paul said this about Timothy: “For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father” (Phil. 2:20-22).
These words about Timothy set the ideal goal for any mentoring relationship. While the initial goal might be problem solving, accomplishing a goal, or something similar, the relationship must go beyond that. Ultimately, our desire ought to be for the person we are discipling to grow in character and faith so that their spiritual maturity will shine through. We are training them for kingdom advancement!
Much of Paul’s success with Timothy came through the day-to-day investment he made in the young man’s life. They were together for months at a time. Timothy benefited from Paul’s investment in his spiritual growth and maturity. That relationship, though, changed over time as Paul sought to encourage Timothy when he began serving as the pastor of a church. The content of the two epistles addressed to Timothy was written to give guidance, encouragement, and support for Timothy in the work God had called Timothy to do. Paul never ceased thinking of their relationship as that of a father and a son in the faith. As a spiritual father, he still saw his responsibility for the ongoing growth of his spiritual offspring.
Second Timothy 2:1-2 sets up a significant pattern for mentoring and discipleship. One person disciples another, who disciples others who, in their turn, proceed to disciple others! We certainly see this in the life of Timothy. Jesus called twelve men whom He mentored and discipled in spiritual growth. From these first apostles, Barnabas learned the ways of Christianity and grew in the Lord. He, in turn, came alongside Saul of Tarsus to bring him into the fellowship of the Jerusalem church and encouraged his growth as a believer. Saul, or Paul, in turn, discipled Timothy as a convert to Christianity. Timothy, now, was charged with the responsibility to pass on what he had learned to others. They, in turn, would pass on to still others who would continue the task of mentoring the next generation of believers.
Question 3: How can we identify those we should invest in?
2 Timothy 3:10-12
10 But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance, 11 along with the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured—and yet the Lord rescued me from them all. 12 In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
In the middle of his letter, Paul reminded Timothy of the example he had set as a mentor. He used this remembrance to challenge Timothy to live out the same example before those he pastored. Paul mentioned seven qualities he had modeled for Timothy, and he commended Timothy for developing those same qualities in his own life: teaching, conduct or behavior, godly purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance.
Timothy was also aware of Paul’s “persecutions and sufferings.” In fact, these qualities were clearly seen in how Paul responded to the sufferings he experienced. Timothy had been present through much of the persecution and sufferings that Paul faced.
Paul had modeled before Timothy how to respond as a follower of Christ in these situations. He encouraged Timothy to pass that quality on to those he taught as well. We would do well to help those we mentor to understand that as believers we also will face increasing pressure and ridicule in the days ahead because of our faith. As Paul modeled for Timothy, we can exemplify how we are to respond. Our response can point to our resolute faith in Jesus Christ.
Question 4: What motivates you to continue growing as a follower of Christ?
These qualities or characteristics mentioned by Paul form a great outline for teaching and modeling Christian growth to those we mentor. Sound doctrine is essential. Integrity in conduct is vital. Let’s help others embrace a God-honoring purpose for their lives. By our own example, we can challenge them to display faithfulness in all they do, exhibiting patience with people and endurance with adverse circumstances. Above all, let’s model and teach them to show their love for God in their loving relationships with others.
Question 5: What can we learn from the relationship between Paul and Timothy?
DECISION TIME
On the graph below, with 1 being “I’m not ready to mentor” and 10 being “I’m ready to begin a mentoring relationship,” place an “X” that represents where you are now. Then answer the questions.
Not Ready Ready!
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
What are some questions you still have about mentoring?
Who is someone you can take these questions to for help?
Write a prayer of commitment to mentor someone as God leads:
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
2 TIMOTHY 3:14-15
LIVE IT OUT
We should focus our mentoring on growth in Christ and in His Word. Choose one of the following applications:
Evaluate. Examine your life in light of the qualities listed in 2 Timothy 3:10. Thank God for the areas where you see growth and ask Him for wisdom and strength in growing in other areas.
Mutually support. Meet with another believer and discuss together the qualities listed in 2 Timothy 3:10. Help each other evaluate your progress and work together in helping one another grow.
Mentor. Now that this six-session study on mentoring is complete, find someone you can disciple. Walk alongside this individual, mentoring and discipling even as Paul did with Timothy.
We all have people in our lives we’ve looked up to and wanted to be like. Nowhere is that more important than in the Christian life. Let’s do all we can to find a mentor to help us, and to find someone we can help in their Christian walk also.
Teacher Notes:
Acts
16:1-5
Paul went on to
Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a
believing Jewish woman, but his father was a Greek. The brothers and sisters at
Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him. Paul wanted Timothy to go with him; so
he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places,
since they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they traveled through the
towns, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders at
Jerusalem for the people to observe. So the churches were strengthened in the
faith and grew daily in numbers.
Timothy is the
first second-generation Christian mentioned in the New Testament. His mother,
Eunice, and grandmother, Lois (2 Timothy 1:5), had become believers and had
faithfully influenced him for the Lord. Timothy’s father apparently was not a
Christian, but the faithfulness of Timothy’s mother and grandmother prevailed. Never
underestimate the far-reaching consequences of raising one small child to love
the Lord.
Timothy and his
mother, Eunice, were from Lystra. Eunice had probably heard Paul’s preaching
when he was there during his first missionary journey (14:16-18). Timothy was
the son of a Jewish mother and Greek father – to the Jews, a half-breed like a
Samaritan. So, Paul asked Timothy to be circumcised to remove some of the
stigma he may have had with Jewish believers. Timothy was not required to be
circumcised (the Jerusalem Council had decided that – chapter 15), but he
voluntarily did this to overcome any barriers to his witness for Christ.
Sometimes we need to go beyond the minimum requirements to help our audience
receive our testimony.
Who were your spiritual
influencers when you were growing up?
Build a
Foundation
This begins with
trust. For Paul to minister to Timothy, the establishment of trust was
paramount. Paul saw and was pleased with the family background of Timothy (2
Tim. 1-5), wanted Timothy to travel with him to continue the work of ministry.
Timothy left such an impression on Paul that he wanted to mentor him. Building
a strong foundation is essential for trust and mentorship. Circumcision was the
first step to calming Jewish critics, who made it a big issue. Timothy proved
his trust level with Paul and allowed circumcision to be performed. With that,
the foundation was built for Timothy to be an apprentice to Paul and learn under his tutelage. In verses 4 and 5, Paul and Timothy
traveled through towns and strengthened churches as they grew in daily numbers.
2 Timothy
2:1-2
You, therefore, my
son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to
faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Fast forward – Timothy
is a pastor to the church of Ephesus and Paul is in prison now with only Luke
with him. He writes this letter, his last letter, to pass the torch to the next
generation of church leaders. It’s a letter of instruction and encouragement to
Timothy.
How can we mentor
in such a way that a person is equipped to then mentor others?
Build a
Focus
be strong in the
grace that is in Christ Jesus.
How can someone be strong in grace?
Grace means
undeserved favor. Just as we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8,9), we should
live by grace (Colossians 2:6). This means trusting completely in Christ and
His power, and not trying to live for Christ in our strength alone. Receive and
utilize Christ’s power. He will give you the strength to do His work.
V.2 If the church were to consistently follow
this advice, it would expand geometrically as well-taught believers would teach
others and commission them, in turn, to teach still others. Disciples need to
be equipped to pass on their faith; our work is not done until new believers
are able to make disciples of others.
After some time with
Timothy, Paul moved toward building him up for ministry, which entailed
focusing on the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Make no mistake; ministry was
difficult, and persecution surrounding this upstart Christian group remained
volatile. However, Paul reminded Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in
Christ Jesus. Understanding that strength is not in oneself but in the grace of
Jesus Christ. Proverbs 3:5-7 reminds us not “to lean on our own understanding.”
In the same way, we must understand that our strength is insufficient to handle
the challenges of the day. However, as Paul advised Timothy, we must be strong
in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Paul encouraged Peter to follow in his
footsteps as he walked in the faith. May we not only follow those who have gone
before us but leave a trail for those who come after us.
2 Timothy
3:10-12
But you have
followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance,
along with the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium,
and Lystra. What persecutions I endured — and yet the Lord rescued me from them
all. In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be
persecuted.
Paul sets these verses up by discussing
the difficult times that lie ahead for Christian service – verses 1-9 describe
a Godlessness that will occur in the last days. His description of behavior is happening
right now in our society – even among Christians.
What role does
persecution or the threat of it have in helping us grow in Christ?
Build a
Fighter
After Paul
established a foundation with Timothy and locked in his focus on Christ Jesus,
the only thing left to do was to build a fighter. Paul gave Timothy a summary
of everything he had experienced under Paul's care. In these few verses, Paul
became a cheerleader, teammate, counselor, and coach. Paul reminded Timothy
that he had followed his teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and
endurance (v. 10). This reminder will be significant as Timothy moved forward
without Paul's presence. In verse 11, Paul reminded Timothy of the persecution
that came to him in certain cities and that as followers of Jesus Christ,
persecution will come. Many
Christians today are unaware that Christianity is a contact sport and hard hits
happen. Because Jesus
received persecution, persecution will occur for all who follow Him. May we be
the kind of people rooted and grounded in God's word amidst persecution to be a
light to the world and an example for generations to come.
Conclusion
Paul’s mentorship
remained simple. Impart the overwhelming awareness of what Jesus Christ did on
the cross into a mentee. In doing so, an unmatched allegiance to Jesus will
inspire a tenacity to learn about God’s unmerited grace. Once unmerited grace
is understood, persecution becomes an honor worth enduring because of the
sacrifice Jesus suffered on our behalf. Therefore, the Great Commission of
going “into all the world” (Matt. 28:19-20) becomes paramount because everyone
needs to hear and see the captivating works of Jesus Christ in the lives of His
believers. After which, the mentee becomes the mentor, and the cycle of
training new believers starts all over again. Once that happens, making
disciples who make disciples is never ending, and the world transformation of
lives happens because one mentor impacts one mentee. Pass it on!!
Setting
The first section
of study in this session records our introduction to a young believer named
Timothy, whom Paul invited to join him on his second missionary journey.
Timothy, perhaps only a teen at the time, would grow to become a major protégé
of Paul. His ministry would be shaped by his experience traveling and observing
the great apostle.
The other verses
for this session are from the second letter Paul wrote to Timothy. It was
written from a Roman prison and likely the last of all his epistles. Second
Timothy is one in the trilogy of “Pastoral Letters,” along with First Timothy
and Titus, written to encourage his two young friends and to offer specific
guidance for their gospel ministry.
Timothy was one of
Paul’s most valued coworkers with whom he had a deep personal relationship,
seen in that he referred to him as his “own son in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2). The
letter needs to be read with the sense of urgency that was behind it, having
come from one who stood faithfully for Christ and would soon be laying down his
life for the cause of the gospel. He exhorted Timothy to be strong and faithful
in his service to Christ. The letter has a little more of a personal tone than
the other two Pastoral Letters.
He sought to
prepare Timothy to carry on the work of the gospel after he was gone. “Paul is
understandably concerned to pass the baton of the gospel to his trusted
followers. . . . Although staring execution and death in the face, Paul
continues to be concerned about the missionary enterprise and the welfare of
his band of co-workers.” 1 Therefore, Paul urged Timothy to draw on a source of
strength outside himself, to become a mentor to others, to live faithfully despite
difficulty, and to grow in Christ through his adherence to God’s Word. Such
faithfulness was necessary from those who claimed to follow Christ. Paul had
not only preached it to Timothy; he had lived it before him.
10 REASONS WHY
CHURCHES MUST REACH COLLEGE STUDENTS
I first wrote about
this topic in 2016, but my burden for university and college students has grown
exponentially since then. I’m convinced we can change the world for Christ if
we reach this group; in fact, I want the next season of my ministry career to
include investing even more in college students. Here’s why:
1.
There are a lot of them. More than 19 million students are in colleges
and universities in the United States. That’s a “people group” unto themselves
– a mission field often within a short distance of our churches.
2.
They are in a critical stage of life. They are
inquisitive, open, and ask questions. They’re being exposed to theories and
worldviews other than Christian. If we can reach them now while they’re open,
the rest of their life will be transformed.
3.
God has often begun awakenings with college
students.
In the Second Great Awakening, God moved at places like Hampden-Sydney College
and Williams College (where the “Haystack Meeting” occurred). The 1970 revival
that began at Asbury College in Kentucky spread to multiple campuses in the
U.S.—and we recently saw glimpses again of that movement.
4.
They are the nations among us. More than 1
million international students attend colleges and universities in the U.S.
Many are open to talking about religious matters, and some will have their
first exposure to the gospel on their university campus. The fields are ripe .
. ..
5.
When they follow the Lord, they do so with
great passion. My faith is challenged when I hang out with students willing to give
their lives to take the gospel to the nations. When they truly know the Lord,
they dig into His Word and fight for holiness. We need them in our churches.
6.
They need – and genuinely want – mentors. Give them just a
few minutes, and they’ll flock to you. They want cross-generational
relationships that help them navigate life. The local church wins when older
Christian mentors and young mentees connect.
7.
They rightly challenge us to explain our
faith.
They’re not interested in superficial, routine Christianity. Rather, they want
authenticity, depth, and relevance—and they’re unafraid to ask questions we
should be ready to answer.
8.
They are the leaders of today and tomorrow. I know that
sentence sounds cliché, but it’s right. We have an opportunity to influence
their lives today for the sake of the gospel tomorrow. Don’t miss it!
Take a little time today
to learn about college and university students near your church. Reach out to
them. If you’re not within driving distance of a campus, spend time intentionally
in prayer for those leaders who are.
Pass It
On
It only takes a
spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those
around can warm up in its glowing;
That's how it is
with God's Love,
Once you've
experienced it,
Your spread the
love to everyone
You want to pass it
on.
