The Script

¹⁹ If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. ²⁰ I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. ²¹ All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. ²² But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. ²³ I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. ²⁴ And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon. _{Philippians 2:19-24}

The Plot

In Paul’s day, it was common for fathers to train their sons in the family business. Timothy, in effect, became like a son to Paul and learned how to lead by serving Paul. Just as a skilled workman trains an apprentice, Paul was preparing Timothy to carry on the ministry that Paul had started.

Paul observed that most believers are too preoccupied with their own needs to spend time working for Christ. Paul expected younger Christians to learn from and serve the elder Christians and then to lead. He also expected the elder Christians to teach and mentor the younger Christians and then turn over leadership to them.

The Walk Through

1. How much do we know about Timothy?
2. Why is it important to have a mentor in our life?
3. Do you have a mentor? If not, think of someone who you would like to learn from and ask them if they would be your mentor.

Ad Lib

In Everyday Discipleship for Ordinary People, Stuart Briscoe wrote, “One of my young colleagues was officiating at the funeral of a war veteran. The dead man’s military friends wished to have a part in the service at the funeral home, so they requested the pastor to lead them down to the casket, stand with them for a solemn moment of remembrance, and then lead them out through the side door. This he proceeded to do, but unfortunately the effect was somewhat marred when he picked the wrong door. The result was that they marched with military precision into a broom closet, in full view of the mourners, and had to beat a hasty retreat covered with confusion.”

“This true story illustrates a cardinal rule or two. First, if you’re going to lead, make sure you know where you’re going. Second, if you’re going to follow, make sure that you are following someone who knows what he is doing!”