July 17, 2005
"God Bless My Mentor"
A Call to Faithfulness—Part 5
1 Timothy 4
"One thing I know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve."
—Albert Schweitzer
The Value of a Mentor:
1. A mentor warns you about dangers and pitfalls.
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
—1 Timothy 4:1-5
Dear friend, take my advice; it will add years to your life. I am writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I am drawing a map to Righteous Road. I don't want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting time making wrong turns. Hold tight to good advice; don't relax your grip. Guard it well—your life is at stake!
—Proverbs 4:10-13 (MSG)
2. A mentor instructs you to do a better job.
If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
—1 Timothy 4:6-8
Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight...
—1 Timothy 1:18-19
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
—Proverbs 3:7
3. A mentor reminds you of your purpose.
This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
—1 Timothy 4:9-10
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.
—Philippians 3:13-15
4. A mentor directs you to stay on task.
Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
—1 Timothy 4:11-14
5. A mentor offers you encouragement and motivation.
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
—1 Timothy 4:15-16
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
—Hebrews 10:24-25
Lifework
"Spiritual maturity is never an end in itself. We grow up in order to give out."
—Pastor Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life
"A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could."
—Unknown
A Call to Faithfulness—Week 5
Personal and Group Study
Getting Started
- Have you ever had a rule imposed on you by your parents that you felt was totally unnecessary? What didn't you like about it?
- What is your regular exercise routine? How faithful are you at sticking to your plan?
Digging Deeper: Read 1 Timothy 4:1-16
- False teachers have been a primary concern of Paul's right from the beginning of this letter. What is the current reason for his concern?
- Why is it wrong (hypocritical) to teach and demand abstinence from marriage and certain foods? Why is Paul's teaching different from the false teachers promoting such an idea? Why does the false teacher's ideas appeal to some people?
- Paul speaks to Timothy about his age. Why would Timothy's age be a problem for some? How can Timothy best minister to people who may hold his age against him?
- Why might Timothy be inclined to neglect his gift as he pastors the church in Ephesus? What does this instruction to Timothy teach you about fostering your own spiritual gifts? Why might someone seek to minister outside of their giftedness?
- What is meant by the phrase, "you will save both yourself and your hearers"?
Applying It To My Life
- Did you grow up thinking there were certain things a Christian should and shouldn't do? How do you look at your same list today?
- If you were to design a spiritual fitness program, of what would it consist? What rites of passage would you set for a young person desiring a leadership position?
- Have you ever been mentored in your faith? How was this a beneficial thing for you? Is there anyone who comes to mind when you think about mentoring? Are you more inclined to be mentored or to be a mentor? Would you be willing to ask God for a mentor or mentoring relationship?