“Christians are quite serious in believing that when they gather together for worship and work, God is present and sovereign, really present and absolutely sovereign.  God creates and guides, God saves and heals, God corrects and blesses, God calls and judges.  With such comprehensive and personal leadership from God, what is the place human leadership?

Quite obviously, it has to be second place.  It must not elbow its way to the front, it must not bossily take over.  Ego-centered, ego-prominent leadership betrays the Master.  The best leadership in spiritual communities formed in the name of Jeus, the Messiah, is inconspicuous, not calling attention to itself but not sacrificing anything in the way of conviction and firmness either.

In his letters to two young associates, Timothy in Ephesus, and Titus in Crete—we see Paul encouraging and guiding the development of just such leadership.  What he had learned so thoroughly himself, he was ow passing on, and showing them, in turn, how to develop a similar leadership in local congregations. This is essential reading because ill-directed and badly formed spiritual leadership causes much damage in souls.  Paul in both his life and his letters shows us how to do it right.” –Eugene Peterson, Introduction to Timothy & Titus, The Message Bible

Leadership classes I took in college in the school of education stimulated my mind.  I enjoyed learning ways to lead others as a team in pursuit of a common goal.  In my mind, I was always translating what I was learning to God’s church.  I had professors who were believers who took time to discuss with me privately how developing these skills were essential to honor God with what He has given us to be and do.  It was not surprising that the greatest elements of a leader are found right here in the pages of our Bibles.  Leadership principles were first given by God to his created Adam and Eve, then lived and demonstrated later by His Son, Jesus.  Jesus spent three years developing servant leadership skills within his disciples who passed them on to others who passed them on to Paul. And now he is passing them on to the next generation. 

1 Timothy 1, The Message

^1-2 I, Paul, am an apostle on special assignment for Christ, our living hope. Under God our Savior’s command, I’m writing this to you, Timothy, my son in the faith. All the best from our God and Christ be yours!

Self-Appointed Experts on Life

^3-4 On my way to the province of Macedonia, I advised you to stay in Ephesus. Well, I haven’t changed my mind. Stay right there on top of things so that the teaching stays on track. Apparently some people have been introducing fantasy stories and fanciful family trees that digress into silliness instead of pulling the people back into the center, deepening faith and obedience.

^5-7 The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love—love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God. Those who fail to keep to this point soon wander off into dead ends of gossip. They set themselves up as experts on religious issues, but haven’t the remotest idea of what they’re holding forth with such imposing eloquence.

^8-11 It’s true that moral guidance and counsel need to be given, but the way you say it and to whom you say it are as important as what you say. It’s obvious, isn’t it, that the law code isn’t primarily for people who live responsibly, but for the irresponsible, who defy all authority, riding roughshod over God, life, sex, truth, whatever! They are cynical toward this great Message I’ve been put in charge of by this great God.

* * *

^12-14 I’m so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. The only credentials I brought to it were violence and witch hunts and arrogance. But I was treated mercifully because I didn’t know what I was doing—didn’t know Who I was doing it against! Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus.

^15-19 Here’s a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I’m proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.

Deep honor and bright glory
    to the King of All Time—
One God, Immortal, Invisible,
    ever and always. Oh, yes!

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, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we’re in.

^19-20 There are some, you know, who by relaxing their grip and thinking anything goes have made a thorough mess of their faith. Hymenaeus and Alexander are two of them. I let them wander off to Satan to be taught a lesson or two about not blaspheming.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Encouraging growth toward maturity was a constant theme in Paul’s letters.  It is no wonder this is of great importance to Paul. Paul had to physically rely and spiritually depend on spiritual mentors to guide and transform his thinking after Jesus got his attention on the road to Damacus!  (See Acts 9) 

Paul suddenly needed an older, wiser believer to walk him through the first steps in his new life, and God assigned that task to Ananias. It’s difficult to decide who would have been more terrified in their first encounter—Paul or Ananias (Acts 9:10–19)! Paul was waiting in blindness and wondering, “What’s next?” while Ananias was making his way to Straight Street muttering the same question under his breath. Neither man could have known how history would be affected by their meeting. But God knew!

We learn that God works out His transforming work in our lives on His timetable, but the direction is always toward greater spiritual maturity. 

Our response:

Recognize mentors who God sends to us at just the “right time”.  Lean in to listen to their guidance and wisdom with thanksgiving—because “they’ve been there, done that” and have learned valuable lessons from the experiences! We all are Timothy’s at times, eager to learn. 

Be a mentor to whomever God sends as a privileged opportunity to serve God by helping others grow in their faith by what we have experienced.  Yes, other times we are Paul’s who pass on what we have learned to others.

Spiritual mentors are given Godly Traits: (What to look for in a mentor)

• They simply love and avoid gossip.
• They seek God first and avoid ego centered behaviors.
• They mentor and are mentored with a heart filled with God’s love.
• They keep a firm grip on their faith in God, our loving, merciful God who sent His Son to save us by grace.

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” –Paul to Timothy, 2 Timothy 2:2, NIV

Lord,

I could spend all morning thinking of all the great mentors you provided for my growing faith.  Right now, I thank you for each one of them.  Some are now with you in glory, and some are still helping me.  I pray that what I have learned can be of help to others—in Your Name, by your leading.  Thank you for the way you work in our lives that connect us back to you and to each other—by your love that is maturing in us.  You are amazing!

In Jesus Name, Amen