The mentorship relationship between Paul and Timothy is explored as Paul stands in the gap for young Timothy.
Scripture focus: (1Timothy 1:2-4, ESV)
“I know you like to go get coffee after Church, why don’t I join you this time? I’ll buy!” It was a kind gesture from my co-small group leader. “Sure!” I accepted the offer. As a severely underpaid intern, I would never deny free coffee. As I responded to the kindness of the gesture, I felt a twinge of anxiety as I thought about the things I needed to get off of my chest. I typically used the time after the service to decompress on my own, but this time I had someone who wanted to join me. With both of our bibles open on that tiny café table in the corner of that crowded coffee shop, I vulnerably poured out my thoughts about how ministry was going. My co-leader sat in that corner with me and walked me through all of the overwhelming thoughts and emotions associated with the new leadership opportunities I had in the church where I served. My feelings were acknowledged as I was encouraged with bible stories unlike any way I had heard them before. The way the stories about Gideon, Paul, Moses’s brother Aaron and others were shared; it was as if these figures also joined us at the table in the corner of that coffee shop. I was no longer alone. As I found myself comforted and at ease, I asked one more bold question. “Who can you think of in scripture can you think of that wasn’t afraid or insecure about doing the Lord’s will?” I asked. We both scratched our heads and could not think of any examples.
To this day, I think back often to this moment in my life as one of the best conversations I had with someone over a simple cup of coffee. As fruitful as the conversation was in the moment, it went on to bear more fruit. The conversation made its way into content for the young adults bible study we were co-leading, it taught me practically how church is what happens on the outside of it’s walls, and formed my early thoughts about ministry philosophy. More importantly, it formed an idea of what mentorship looks like. It was a formative moment in my own spiritual maturity and it is important to begin with this first principle in the Mentorship Matters series.
Principle 1: Everyone should have a mentor and everyone should be a mentor.
Everyone should have a mentor and everyone should be a mentor. This is a principle and a pattern of living a holy life and seen throughout scripture. Throughout the six parts of this blog series, we will study six mentor relationships in scripture and the lessons we can apply to our mentorship relationships today. After each read in this series there will be questions for both the mentor and the mentee to be considered and pondered.
Mentorship is a necessary practice in the Christian faith. “Just as iron is needed to sharpen iron, so one man is needed to help one another.” (Proverbs 27:17, ESV). This necessary practice though, does not need to be overcomplicated and so often is. As my mentor and friend showed me at the time, these moments can be as simple as an invitation to conversation shared over a cup of coffee.
As a mentorship figure in scripture, Paul engaged in the simple, but intentional acts of mentorship by encouraging others through His letter writing. The simple spiritual formation efforts had major impacts on the spread of Christianity in the early church. Even while behind bars and in chains for Christ, Paul did not stop encouraging and discipling others in the early church. Scripture reveals the engagement Paul has in a mentorship relationship with Timothy, Titus, and even Philemon. Paul’s means of encouragement was also simple: letter writing.
Paul’s Mentorship Relationship With Timothy
In one of His letters, Paul writes about Timothy, as a “true son in the faith.” (1 Tim. 1:2-4, ESV). Paul thought highly of this young man who came from a divided household by treating Him like family though they had no blood relationship. Timothy’s mother is recorded in scripture as a Jew, and His father as a Greek. Timothy who stood in the middle of this already divided household, was a new disciple whom Paul saw something different about and in Him. Taking notice of the young, Timothy was taken alongside some of Paul’s missionary journeys. (Acts 16, ESV). Having had the opportunity to serve alongside Paul and seeing that Timothy was ready to do the work required of ministry, Paul sent Timothy on His way to continue the good work of spreading the word of the Lord to the early church.
When Timothy felt ill equipped and inadequate in ministry, Paul encouraged the young leader in ministry with some of the most kind and thoughtful words penned in scripture. Paul wrote to his true son of the faith, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12, NIV). As Timothy began to carry on the work of ministry which Paul had begun, Paul endorses the ministerial efforts Timothy takes on by writing to the church of Corinth about how Timothy is qualified and being appointed for the work despite His age. Paul writes of how He chose and sent Timothy to the church of Corinth. (1 Cor. 4:17, ESV).
Paul engaged in the practice of mentorship in profound, but practical ways. In His final letter to Timothy, Paul charges with this call to mentorship and discipleship, “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. (2 Timothy 2:2). He undoubtedly saw the importance of mentorship and equipping the next generation of believers. Will you also open yourself and engage in the practice of mentorship through this series?
Questions For Mentors: Is there someone in your life you can support by your words, encouragement, resources, or actions? What step will you take to accomplish this? (If you cannot identify someone, consider praying and asking the Lord to help identity someone in your circle of influence.)
Questions For Mentees: Can you recall a time when someone older or wiser than you helped you by their words, encouragements, resources, or actions? What are some qualities of a good mentor? Out of these qualities, which are the most important to me? Has there ever been a time someone I looked up to broke trust in the mentor relationship? If yes, what was the experience like?