Introduction material Dates as early at 64 AD and as late as 67 AD. It was the last letter that Paul wrote
A disciple is a “follower of Jesus” The key ingredient is RELATIONSHIP, it is not an exchange of information although that is very helpful, it is not a program although programs facilitate relationships it is not something that we accomplish then move on to something else…it is a life endeavor. Discipleship
2 Timothy 1:1-7 A Disciple has people who build into them…Mentor type relationships
Vrs 1 Paul is not just writing as a friend but when he says “an Apostle” he is speaking to Timothy as one who has authority and therefore this authority should also be communicated to those under Timothy. Timothy can clearly say to those under him…”Paul the Apostle told me”
In this situation we see Timothy a disciple of Jesus Christ has Paul to build into him on a “pastoral calling level”
Vrs 2 “my beloved child” this is an important relationship that believers should have…someone they can look to as a spiritual father…maybe your biological father fills this role. But many of you like myself have a father that is not a firm believer in Christ, so we need other spiritual older men to fill that void.
Description of the Mentor/person building into us A Mentor…
Vrs 3
-Practices what they have learned from those they learned from (thanks)
-Prays for then disciple
Vrs 4 -Mentor cares for the disciple. “Tears” This is probably a reference to the last time Paul saw Timothy and they were parting ways 1 Timothy 1:3 “remain at Ephesus”
-Mentor takes pleasure in the work done by the disciple
Vrs 5 A Mentor recognizes the power of the first influence (Parents). A disciple has multiple people that speak into their lives.
When Paul speaks about Lois and Eunice it is a reminder that our first responsibility when it comes to discipleship is those in our family.
A call to parents you have little lives that need to be built into…It is the job of the church to assist that but the responsibility does not rest on the church to disciple your children. The church with its programs should underline what you are currently teaching them.
You on the other hand should be discipled by the church. Here is why, if you know the Word and are consistently pursuing God that will inevitably use what is instilled in you to disciple your children…because discipleship is about the life we live…not a class or program. So the goal here if for you to learn, learn how to apply and be inspired to apply the truths of the Bible.
To some degree your children will love what you love and hate what you hate. UNLESS (with the exception of Jesus who should be before everything and everyone) what you love forces you to neglect them.
Why is this? Because when you love something you develop a passion for whatever that is and when there is passion for something, the people around you sense that and then want to investigate what is fueling that passion.
Our society tells us put our kids in situations in which they can be exposed to things and have experiences but what we need to remember as parents, the best thing we can do for our children at the developmental ages is build into them spiritually. We CANNOT do that if we are not being built into spiritually. You make sacrifices for your children but you do not sacrifice your own spiritual development for them, if you do it will harm them. (My going to school illustration, I need development)
Then you can live a Deut 6:4-9 centered Christian life.
The words of Jesus “A disciple is not above his teacher” your children will reach as high as you are.
Vrs 6 A mentor encourages the disciple to their highest potential. “fan to flame” Remember Rev 3:16 Jesus spits out those that are lukewarm. Do everything you can to be excited about and on fire for the Lord.
“Fan into flame” encourage the work
You can tell if someone has the work of the Lord’s best interest in mind if they encourage others to serve better and excel. Far too many times we see people in leadership roles that only want good things to be accomplished if their name is attached to it.
They don’t have the security to empower others and will not support when others excel. They may tear down and malign what the person is doing in hopes to keep people looking at them.
The people who truly have an impact are the people that are willing to empower and not take credit.
As a person who disciples others, one necessary trait must be humility…
If it was not for the devotion of Annie Sullivan the world would not know the name of Helen Keller
If not for George MacDonald the world may not have known C.S. Lewis
1 Timothy 4:14 Leaders “laying hands” a commissioning for ministry
This act is also saying “we need to empower others for the work”
Vrs 7 A mentor reminds a disciple of the power of God
A disciple needs those that build into them to be the type of people that celebrate with them even when their work becomes more noticeable then the work that they have done.
Vrs 7 a true disciple is empowered by God (more specifically the Holy Spirit). Bottom line is that what matters most is a vibrant relationship with the Lord that is only achieved through the GOSPEL. You can work all you want to be a good disciple (follower of Jesus) but if you do not rely on the Holy Spirit you have failed.
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