Discipleship 8PAUL & TIMOTHY:

A MENTORING RELATIONSHIP

INTRODUCTIONActs 16: 1 – 5Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a

disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

PLANPaul ensures Timothy is the right man for the job: How?

He equips him for ministry tasks,He empowers him for success,He employs him in a challenging environment to develop effectiveness.

He Communicates to Timothy the value of their relationship.

RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB

Paul recognized the importance of equipping a successor to carry on the gospel message.

To leave his earthly ministry without establishing a means for its continuation would contradict his overarching message.

A good reputation was a characteristic that Paul valued immensely.

EQUIPPED FOR THE TASKPaul began equipping Timothy for the task of spreading the gospel.

Timothy and Silas were charged with the task of nurturing the young congregation in Berea.

Acts 17: 13 – 15Do you think Timothy felt as though he was being thrown in at the deep end???

EMPOWERED FOR SUCCESSTimothy was called by God to serve as a minister of the gospel

Philippians 2: 19 – 23Proving our character and integrity is important for service in the Kingdom of God.

Are you a person of good character?Can you be trusted with ministry tasks here in NLCC?

Will you get on with them without complaining or leaving the task unfinished?

EMPLOYED FOR EFFECTIVENESS

As Paul gained confidence in Timothy’s competence, he employed Timothy in the church in Ephesus.

After hearing of the worsening condition of the church at Ephesus, Paul commissioned Timothy to return the church to the true doctrines of the gospel.

That's quite some commission isn’t it! Paul gave him the opportunity to maximize his calling and increase his effectiveness as a servant of God.

PAUL ENCOURAGES TIMOTHY TO:

Gain nourishment from God’s word

Continue to train in godliness

Have a mission-minded approach to his ministry.

EMPLOYED FOR EFFECTIVENESS1 Timothy 4: 6.Paul encouraged Timothy to follow the teachings of the gospel, to provide the nourishment needed to sustain him in confronting the false teachers.

The same applies to us – we can’t afford to take our eyes off the ball of the word of God.

We are in a battle – and without proper nourishment we will get weary & easily defeated!

EMPLOYED FOR EFFECTIVENESSThe best witness we have available to us, is

how we live our lives.Does what we say and what we do match up?Are we the same person at work, at church, at

home, out with our friends, or do we wear multiple personas?

Paul believed that a mission-minded approach to ministry would serve Timothy well as he addressed the heresies in the church at Ephesus

2 Timothy 4: 5

A TREASURED RELATIONSHIPThis is what Paul thinks of Timothy: “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.”

Philippians 2: 22

SUMMARYPaul’s loving mentor relationship with Timothy began with choosing Timothy as the right person to accompany him in serving the gospel.

Paul mentored Timothy by equipping him for the tasks of ministry,

empowering him for success, employing him for effectiveness at the church in Ephesus,

and by communicating his love, respect, and appreciation for Timothy as a son, brother, and messenger of Christ.

APPLICATIONWho are you pouring your experience into?

What do you need to impart to others before your life & ministry on earth comes to an end – as it surely will?

Do you need to STEP UP???

CONCLUSIONSeek God as to how you can be a godly influence on others around you.

What is God asking of you this morning?

And how will you respond?