Mentors and Models
"What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 1:13 (NIV)
One fall afternoon pre-Covid James Bruce and I were walking at the local high school track. I had expected the football team to be out on the field but was surprised to see the high school band practicing instead. As James Bruce and I made our way around the track, the band students marched up and down the field. From somewhere high in the stadium, the band director kept shouting, “Keep the pattern! Keep the pattern!”
Those words provide the best summary for the entire book of 2 Timothy, Paul’s last recorded letter. “Keep the pattern” is a sacred charge throughout this little letter.
Rick Warren, pastor of Saddlecreek Church and author of The Purpose Driven Life writes, "For us to mature, we need mentors and models. Many people make the mistake of thinking all they need to grow spiritually is God's Word and prayer. But the truth is, we need people to help us grow."
The Apostle Paul lived a Gospel purpose driven life and was a mentor to Timothy and a model for us. From Paul’s life and ministry, we can understand some basic mentor and model principles:
Mentors and models are best developed in relationships.
Mentors and models are required for spiritual growth and maturity.
More than explanations, we need examples.
Don't underestimate the power of the pattern.
Principles must be put into practice.
Beliefs must be translated into behavior.
God's design for the Gospel Mentor/Model is:
Know the truth.
Show the truth in love.
Grow the truth through evangelism and discipleship.
Paul realized that there is no success in life and ministry without a successor. He invested many years of his life and ministry with Timothy. At the end of his life, Paul still was challenging and stretching Timothy, handing off the gospel baton to him, reminding him to keep the pattern and teach what he had been taught. Timothy ultimately "got it" for the gospel baton wasn't dropped on his watch.
But what about us? Are we teaching what we've been taught; keeping the "main thing," the main thing? Most of us probably know the truth, but are we showing and growing the truth, being intentional and relational with our exhortations and encouragements? And how about our attitude in showing and growing the truth? Are we doing it with faith and love?
Wherever you are this week, who is your "Timothy?" Is there someone you are intentionally, relationally, and consistently pouring your life into? To whom are you a “Paul?” Can you honestly say as Paul did, "keep the pattern?" If not, ask God to help you become both a mentor and a model to someone who needs one. It will not only help someone else's spiritual growth, but it will also help your own. We always grow more when we're teaching.
"People don't expect you to be perfect- they already know you aren't. What they want you to be is honest! So, let them see your struggles, not just your successes. We usually grow as much from others' weaknesses as we do from their strengths." Rick Warren
Mentors and models- God's design for the effective transfer of truth- sharing truth with lips and lives, for God's glory.
Keep the pattern!
Donna