Got a Timothy in Tow?

August 12, 2008

By Jerry Scott

About 30 years ago, when I was a newly minted preacher, more full of myself than with the Spirit, my dad sent me a letter, written in longhand script, in which he basically said, “Take advantage of my experience. Fall in step and learn from me!” His mentoring steadied me, gave me practical insight and kept me from wandering into traps of temptation.

That letter still lies in the top drawer of my desk in my church office. I treasure that piece of paper, which I have read dozens of times over the years. It is a symbol of Dad's constant work of coaching the Timothys he found in the world all around him. Through the years he spoke into the lives of many, inspiring devotion and coaching them to find and use the spiritual gifts invested in them by God. And he’s still doing it.

Do you have a Timothy in tow?

The allusion is to Paul and Timothy. During Paul’s travels he met a young man named Timothy in the city of Lystra. Timothy was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother. Paul saw the potential in Timothy and accepted him as a “true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). Intentionally, Paul took Timothy along in order to live before him an example of ministry. Then Paul sent Timothy out to serve. Paul’s two letters to Timothy are packed with practical insight and direction for ministry, written in a warm and fatherly tone.

“I’m passing this work on to you, my son Timothy. The prophetic word that was directed to you prepared us for this. All those prayers are coming together now so you will do this well, fearless in your struggle” (1 Timothy 1:18, The Message).

Dr. Leonard Sweet, in a book titled, “11 Indispensable Relationships You Can’t Be Without,” points out that mentoring provides a two-way benefit. Most of the time, we think of the knowledge that flows to the Timothy. However, the Timothy keeps the Paul from getting stuck in a rut. The Timothy brings fresh perspective.

Believer, are you mentoring anyone? When we mentor a Timothy, we do something that has eternal significance. Dad poured his experience into me, handing me the tools of faith. In my life, I have mentored some who are now passing the faith along to those they know. And that is something that pleases my Heavenly Father and changes destinies. Go prayerfully find a Timothy to love and lead. Encourage your Timothy to learn, to discover what God wants to do in his or her life. And don’t forget to let their fresh perspective keep your own faith alive and relevant to an ever-changing world.

— Jerry D. Scott is senior pastor at Washington (N.J.) Assembly of God.