July 25 | 1 Timothy 6:11-21

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DAILY READING

1 Timothy 6:11-21

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REFLECTION

Hands-on Experience

By Ken Dillman

What an encouragement it must have been for Timothy to read the apostle Paul’s greeting to him in his first letter, when Paul referred to Timothy as, “my true child in the faith.” (1 Tim. 1:2) 

Timothy was born in the Asia Minor city of Lystra; his mother was Jewish, his father was Greek, and we see virtually nothing in scripture about the presence of his father. Perhaps Timothy’s father had passed by this point when he became Paul’s spiritual son and protégé; he didn’t have to feel fatherless any longer, if that was the case.

The apostle Paul was deeply invested in discipling Timothy, as he encouraged him to, “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” (1 Tim. 6:11) The apostle Paul understood the Great Commission that Jesus gave to his disciples to, “make disciples,” (Matt. 28:19) and was living it out in his relationship with Timothy.

The propagation of the Gospel requires that you and I, as disciples, make disciples.

Throughout the majority of my life, as a follower of Jesus, I didn’t have anybody discipling me in a life-on-life relationship; as a result, my spiritual growth was slow with many setbacks; a “two steps forward, one step back” movement.

Over the past twenty years I have focused much of my time and energy in discipling men in their 20’s and 30’s and even my father-in-law, who will be 98 in a few weeks. I’ve attempted to make it life-on-life experiences, more than simply reading one’s Bible, praying, and going to church.

Paul wrote to Timothy saying, “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim. 2:2) Paul was describing the development of three generations of disciples in what he was saying to Timothy.

Whose life are you and I investing ourselves in richly? Who are we teaching and modeling righteous behavior to? Who are we guiding, correcting, and allowing to observe our lives in “real time” so that they can understand what it is to be a disciple of Jesus.

Paul’s discipleship of Timothy was “hands-on” experiences as they traveled together with Silas during Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 16); they lived together, ate together, and preached together, so that Timothy could observe and learn how to grow in his faith.

Paul’s discipleship of Timothy was so successful that Paul felt confident in sending Timothy to lead the Ephesian Church, where he remained for the rest of his life, making disciples.

PRAYER

Father, help us to be disciples of Jesus who makes disciples. Help us to invest our lives in other believers’ lives, so that they too might invest their lives in other peoples’ lives, so that your kingdom on Earth will grow.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KEN DILLMAN

My wife, Karen and I have been attending UALC for 6-7 years and enjoy God's presence in our gatherings. We live in Hilliard; our three adult children live in Central Ohio. I am a retired Chaplain and Pastor, and enjoy writing, walking, jogging, and listening to live music. I appreciate the opportunity to write for the church’s devotionals.