Deeper ReflectionWE READ IN 1 THESSALONIANS ABOUT TIMOTHY BEING sent by Paul to the Thessalonians to “establish and encourage” them in their faith (vv.1-2). Timothy is mentioned 24 times in the New Testament. And in all the 24 times, but one (Heb 13:23), Timothy is mentioned in association with Paul, along with Paul’s two letters to him (1 Tim and 2 Tim). There is much that we can learn from this Paul-and- Timothy association about disciplemaking and spiritual reproduction. Let us consider three principles.
Have a personal vision for spiritual reproduction. In discipling Timothy, Paul had a clear goal of Timothy “entrusting” – passing on – what he had learned from him to “faithful men” who “will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2). This is known as the four generations spiritual reproduction: Paul-Timothy-faithful men-others. The entrusting is done through teaching the Word of God. In the G-12 movement, a person discipling 12 persons seeks to see these 12 multiply to 144 disciples. Behind this goal is a personal vision of becoming a spiritual grandparent. Do you desire to become a spiritual grandparent?
Look for keen learners. Paul “wanted” Timothy to “accompany” him in his missional work, because he saw his potential (Acts 16:1-3). A person with potential is useless unless he or she is keen to learn and grow. But Paul chose a weak Timothy, who was “temperamentally shy, needing affirmation, encouragement and reassurance”
50 (1 Cor 16:10-11; 1 Tim 4:12; 2 Tim 1:6-7), to become his deputy and successor. Did Paul make a bad or wrong choice? Paul cared only about one thing: “likeminded” in Christ-centredness (Phil 2:19-21).
50 John R. W. Stott, The Message of 1 Timothy & Titus, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 1996), 37-38
