Who Is Your Paul? Who Is Your Timothy?

Growing alone in your faith is not an option 

By Brent Dennison 

Have you ever promised yourself that you’re going to get physically fit? You begin a new diet or workout regimen with great excitement and expectation. However, if you’re like most people, after a few weeks (maybe days!) your initial dedication wanes and you fall back into your same old habits. If we know that regular exercise and a proper diet lead to good health, why do we stop?

I believe the answer for many of us is because we try to do it alone, without any support system. Unfortunately, the same is often true for our spiritual health. We surrender our life to Jesus, get baptized, and join the church—yet, we struggle to grow in our faith because we don’t have a personal support system. Jesus knew the importance of relationships and that’s why His final words to His disciples were for them to go and make more disciples. (Matthew 28:19) Jesus wanted them to understand that most spiritual growth happens through personal relationships. 

In the New Testament, this is demonstrated powerfully through the apostle Paul’s relationship with Timothy. Paul met Timothy on his second missionary journey through the Mediterranean, and he became a spiritual mentor to Timothy. Timothy accompanied Paul on his journeys and their relationship deepened to the point that Paul called Timothy “my true son in the faith.” (1 Timothy 1:2) Their relationship provides a blueprint for Christians to follow as we seek to grow in our faith together. 

Here are four disciple-making truths we can draw from Paul and Timothy’s relationship: 

1. Disciple-Making Is Intentional 

In Acts 16, Paul intentionally chose Timothy to travel with him on his journeys so that he could help Timothy grow in his faith. As Christ-followers, we should be prayerfully intentional about finding others to build up in their faith. 

2. Disciple-Making Is Bible-Centered 

Paul encouraged Timothy to continue learning from God’s Word so that he would be equipped to do good works. (2 Timothy 3:14-17) As followers of Jesus, we should encourage and equip one another by studying God’s Word together regularly. 

3. Disciple-Making Is Accountable 

Paul urged Timothy to be devoted and diligent in the way he lived his life, telling him to “watch your life and doctrine closely.” (1 Timothy 4:16) As Christ- followers, it’s not enough to know God’s Word—we must lovingly hold one another accountable to obey it. 

4. Disciple-Making Is Reproducible 

Paul challenged Timothy to teach other men the things he had learned from Paul. That way, they could eventually go on to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:1-2) As followers of Christ, we must build our relationships with that end in mind. Our goal is not only to make one disciple of Jesus, but to make disciples who make disciples. 

Who Are You Walking With? 

Now take a little inventory of your own life. Who’s your Paul—a friend or mentor that’s actively encouraging you and challenging you in your relationship with Christ? Who’s your Timothy—a new believer or younger Christ-follower you’ve committed to building up spiritually and relationally as you follow Jesus together? 

If you don’t currently have these types of relationships in your life, let me encourage you to seek them out. At Southeast, we want to help you get connected in intentional disciple-making relationships, and that’s why we offer a variety of group opportunities at each of our campuses.

If you would like some help finding a group or a spiritual mentor, contact the Connections Pastor at your campus and he will be more than willing to help you take your next step!