HOW MENTORSHIP COMPLIMENTS PARENTING
Investments of Faith From Multiple Sources.
A couple of days ago, I wrote about the investments of faith that our ancestors and grandparents have placed into us. But let’s remember that before they were grandparents, they were parents.
“5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (1 Tim. 1:5)
Obviously, from Paul‘s words, Timothy‘s grandmother wasn’t the only one who made generational investments of faith. His mother Eunice clearly invested in her son’s walk with the Lord as well.
In Acts 16 we find the account of Timothy’s entry into ministry, leaving his parents to follow Paul on his missionary journeys:
“1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they travelled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.” (Acts 16:1-5)
Parent Investments of Faith
We read about Timothy’s mother and father. We’re told that his mother was Jewish and a Believer in Christ. Considering the later passage in 2 Timothy 1, her faith in Christ must have been formative for her son.
When I think back to my childhood, my mom’s faith had an impact on me as well. Specifically, within her personal devotional time with the Lord.
Every morning, the first sight I would see was my mom on the couch with her burgundy Bible open in her lap. Now, as an adult, when I sit down on the couch to read my Bible, I get a regular flashback of my mother’s faith.
More Is Caught Than Taught
Parents, how are we making investments of faith into our children? If someone were to look at our family, would they characterize us as faith-filled parents?
It’s not just about teaching our kids Christian values and principles. Remember that more is caught than taught. So we need to individually challenge ourselves to be parents who have a deep and daily relationship with Jesus Christ.
But what about Timothy’s father?
Timothy’s Dad
Acts 16 only notes that he was a Greek, but he doesn’t get the Believer tagline that his mother gets. Moreover, Paul doesn’t highlight Timothy’s father in 2 Timothy 1.
Perhaps his dad was not a Believer? Perhaps his dad didn’t have a spiritual impact on Timothy’s life? We really don’t know.
Thankfully, God led Paul to Timothy.
Mentor Investments of Faith
Some call it mentorship. Some call it discipleship. Some call it coaching or counseling. We have all experienced those people in our lives who aren’t related to us, but they pour investments of faith into us.
Paul and Timothy weren’t related, but as we look at the language used in 2 Timothy. “To Timothy, my dear son:” (1:2) We see the spiritual father-son relationship that had developed.
I’ve written many times about the numerous people who have invested in me, and my ministry throughout the years.
Some of them were my peers, some of them were a little older than me and some were a lot older than me. But all of them made a choice to invest in me without any sort of relational connection.
Much of who I am as a husband, father and a pastor is a result of the investments of faith that they made.
Parents Needs Mentors
We should all be challenged to find someone, just one person. Chose to bless them in some way, chose to make a generational investment of faith into someone’s life today.
How do we do that?
Maybe it’s just through praying for them? Maybe there’s a tangible or financial need they have and you have the means to help? Maybe you could just invite them out for lunch and get to know them?
But maybe God is orchestrating something more in-depth and long-term? Just be open to what God is laying before you.
And for those in their teens or twenties reading this post, you’re Timothy in today’s passage. Don’t be shy; don’t be afraid to ask someone to invest in you. There’s a wealth of faith-filled knowledge in the church that you need to start tapping into.
If you see someone on Sunday morning who you’d like to learn from, be bold and ask them to invest in you. Offer to pay for their lunch just to get one piece of advice or just to listen to their testimony. (That alone will be worth the price of lunch!)
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