Scripture:
1 Timothy 5:1-2; 4:12
Sat, 12 March 2022

Loving Different Generations

Observation:

How are we to love and relate to people from different generations in the church?

Deeper Reflection
HERE, THE APOSTLE PAUL GAVE SEVERAL OVERARCHING principles to Timothy on how he was to relate to the different generations in the church at Ephesus. Timothy was likely in his 30s when he started to care for and lead the church. First, Paul urges Timothy not to “rebuke” an older man (v.1). The Greek verb epiplesso has two spheres of meaning: (1) to strike upon, beat upon; and (2) chastise with words, to chide, upbraid, rebuke8. Referring to the latter sense, Paul urged Timothy not to use harsh words to “strike”, chastise and correct an older man. Instead, Timothy was to “encourage” him (v.1). The Greek verb parakaleo means “to address, speak to (call to, call on), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc9.” For ancient Jews, Greeks and Romans, elders were highly esteemed. Timothy was to treat older men and women with the honour and respect that he accorded fathers and mothers. This value is of timeless relevance and application, notwithstanding considerable challenges to its validity in the youth culture of many societies today. Second, Timothy was to relate to younger men and women like brothers and sisters, with the affection, respect and purity as was proper in such familial relationships. We must not despise or ill-treat younger men and women, just as we would not so do to our own brothers and sisters. Third, Paul commanded Timothy to not let his youth be despised by others. Paul reaffirmed Timothy’s leadership by encouraging him to be an example to the believers from all the different generations that he is serving (1 Tim 4:12).
8 According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: https://biblehub.com/greek/1969.htm 9 According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: https://biblehub.com/greek/3870.htm
Application:

If I have been despising someone from a younger generation or treating harshly someone from an older generation, or both, what can I do to love the person(s) in the way that God intends for me?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Church Board: To be wise and loving in addressing the needs and concerns of the different generations within the church
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

Download this Building Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for East QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for WDL QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10:11-12, 14-19
Tue, 26 September 2023

A Man of High Esteem

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel being called “man of high esteem” (vv.11, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
One of the heavenly beings called Daniel “man of high esteem” (v.11). This honour was bestowed on Daniel emphatically, in that it was repeated twice (v.19). This “high esteem” did not come from man, but from God Himself. God gave this honour to Daniel toward the end of his life when God called him to “enter into rest” (Dan 12:13). As a youth, Daniel “made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s choice food” (Dan 1:8), and as an old man, he was faithful to God in spending time with Him in his “three times a day” devotion, even if it means to be thrown into the lions’ den (Dan 6:10). Daniel was finishing well in his life with “humbling yourself before your God” (v.12). When we think of finishing well in terms of successful accomplishments, we must be careful that we are not exalting ourselves.It is not for us to see ourselves in any way as a person of high esteem before God. It is for God to say that to us (2 Cor 10:17-18). Daniel never saw himself as a “man of high esteem”. A key emphasis in Daniel 10 is Daniel being greatly overwhelmed by the holiness and glory of God represented by the heavenly being with an awesome appearance (Dan 10:5-10, 15-18). And it was in this encounter with God when he was called “man of high esteem” that Daniel said, “How can such a servant of my Lord talk with such as my Lord?”50 (v.17). The man highly esteemed by God saw his unworthiness before God.
50 I have theologically translated “my lord” to “my Lord”, since the heavenly being is a representation of God.
Application:

What does being highly esteemed by God mean to me?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for pastors and staff: To be able to see oneself as God sees
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

Download this New Life Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for BPJ QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.