Our focus this week is on 1 & 2 Timothy. I don't know about you but I see Timothys' all around us. You would have to try really hard not to have a Timothy in your life. But the question is not whether you have a Timothy in your life, the question is are you engaging them? Do you have a relationship with your Timothy? Is it an inconvenience? Do you even want one? What would this relationship even look like?
When looking at these two letters from Paul we are looking into a deep relationship between an older Paul and a young man Timothy. This is not a get together on the weekend type friendship. The more you study the letters the more you seethat this relationship is rooted in Christ and Christ's calling. They are so close they experience "tears" when they are apart. Timothy is young and has some confidence issues. He is tired, burned out, and questioning his qualifications. And this is where their relationship comes alive. Paul does not tell Timothy to "Man up", "suck it up", or "learn on your own". Paul encourages Timothy by helping him realize God's gifts and God's power in him. He's not trying to make a clone of himself but encourages Timothy to grow into his own person. Paul encourages Timothy to fulfill his ministry. Paul is pouring his life into Timothy. Paul knows the impact of discipleship. Paul is passing IT on. How does this story carry over to us? A few questions to think about. Who is your Timothy? Who is your Paul? What is your ministry? 2 Tim 4:1-8 and 1 Tim 4:6-16