2 Timothy 3:10 - 4:22

Read 2 Timothy 3:10 - 4:22

Verses chosen for meditation: 2 Timothy 3:10-11, 14-16; 4:2, 7 ESV

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

Reflect

Who has influenced you and made an impact on your life? How have they done it?

How has the Word influenced you and made an impact on your life? How important is the Word in your life? What is your responsibility to the Word?

How would you describe your life at this point? How do you see it going forward?

Relate

The transference of life experiences is nowhere better illustrated than here, between Paul and Timothy. The only limitation, as with all such cases, is the amount transferred or caught. That would depend on Paul's method or Timothy's receptiveness, or both, underscoring the importance of teachability in discipleship.

Most of us would have a person or two that we look up to. These are the giants on whose shoulders we stand on. They are individuals whose lives had made an impact on us. Through the sharing of their life experiences or demonstration of their indomitable spirits, they inspire us to do what they did or be just like them. They can be anyone, from parents, guardians, teachers, mentors to heroes / heroines of faith (past and present), any ordinary man or woman that we look up to with incredible admiration.

Timothy must have looked up to Paul as a mentor and father figure. Theirs was a relationship of mutual respect and affection, almost fairy-tale like in the accounts of disciple-making. Don't we just wish for a disciple like Timothy and a mentor like Paul?

In fact, more than Paul's influence is the Word, which actively shaped Timothy's life. The Word was a strong inspiration, teacher, trainer and anchor in his life. Have we ever wondered how much the Word means to us? If Timothy had been receptive only to Paul and not the Word, he wouldn't have amounted to much. Least of all, to be the exemplary disciple that he was.

For a disciple is ultimately a practitioner of the Word. In season and out of season, he practices as well as preaches the Word. Most of us will find it hard to be a disciple during the off seasons when life is not at its peak, but at its lowest. Even then, the Word is applicable.

Indeed, the Word had ministered to me during many off seasons of my life. During these difficult and trying times, the Word would simply come alive. For that reason, I call them 'Pop Up' since they appeared out of the blue, and at the most crucial time. The opportunity to share (preach) the Word would usually present itself later. So, even as we need role models, we cannot do without the Word. For discipleship is built upon the Word.

Turning now to Paul, the seasoned apostle and disciple-maker, it's evident that he had not looked back since the day he became a disciple. For he had lived his life first and foremost as a disciple. So, as much as he was a role model to Timothy, he was a disciple first, then disciple-maker. That's how disciple-making is kept fresh, the disciple-maker recognising the need to be a disciple first.

For that reason, 2 Timothy 4:7 can be viewed as the musings of a 'marathoner' disciple. There's simply no giving up half way. Once a disciple, always a disciple, till the end and through the seasons. A disciple is thus a worthy finisher. If we would also recall the last words of Christ on the Cross: It is finished.

What's finished is the mission of God for the individual. Everything that he had wanted to do, he was able to do it through the disciple. Paul was such a disciple. And so was Timothy after him.

(The article is dedicated to all disciples and disciple-makers.)

Rest

Lord, may we be disciples worth our salt, drawing inspiration from you, the bona fide disciple-maker. May we share the Word in season and out of season as we allow it to shape us into fit disciples who will emerge from the race a true finisher. May it be known, too, that we are your disciples by our love. 

Naville Chia