Paul’s Advice to a Young Leader for 2008
I am currently studying through 1st Timothy and came across a classic piece of scripture that many young leaders in ministry like to point to, myself included. It is 1st Timothy 4:12 that says;
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
I think most of us get pretty frustrated when we are looked down upon as being too inexperienced, to “youthful”, or are just not taken seriously when we speak or contribute. But most of us stop there, we don’t look at the “rather” statement by Paul.
Paul’s advice to Timothy, who probably dealt with the same issues, was to focus on how to “show yourself an example of those who believe.” Paul was basically saying, what all of us have either heard or have been told, to not focus first on other people’s expectations. That we need to focus on who God is calling us to be and we need to follow that calling, especially in regards to the behavior we exhibit and the decisions we make.
The advice most of us have ever received usually stops there, with the generalization of putting God’s expectations first, and to not worry about people. Thankfully, Paul doesn’t stop there. Paul takes it the step further most of us have missed and gives Timothy some specific areas to focus on as a young leader in ministry.
The Five Essentials for a Young Leader:
Speech: A lot of times it isn’t so much what you say - but how you say it that shows wisdom or reveals foolishness. Or, it is if you say anything at all. Do you have the patience to say the right things at the right time?
[James 3:5-12, 1 Peter 2:1-3]
Conduct: This is a pretty obvious one, but how do you conduct yourself around others. Are you the one always stepping over the line in humor? When there is a large group serving, are you talking to people or putting yourself to action? First to come and last to leave, or just putting your time in?
[James 3: 13-18, Titus 2:1-5]
Love: What are your motivations? Are you reaching out to people in love or using them in ambition? Are people an interruption or an opportunity? Do you avoid the unsightly, poor and the “weird”, or are you drawn to them like Jesus was? What was the last truly selfless thing you did for someone (outside of ministry)?
[Luke 6:27-36, 1 John 4:7-21]
Faith: Who is your faith stirring you to be? 1 Timothy 3:9 describes faithful men as “holding to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience.” You don’t have to know everything, but do you believe in a way that is transparent and authentic? Are you clear about what you believe and is that a consistent element in the decisions you make?
[Hebrews 11, Matthew 21:17-22]
Purity: What does the morality in your dating relationships look like? If we could get your web browser alone and we interviewed it, what kind of things would we find out? How truthful are you at work? with your spouse? What kind of reactions do you have when your children mess up? Have you been faking the progress of sanctification for so long you don’t even know where to start living pure?
[1 Peter 1:13-21, 1 John 3]
I’ve been harsh on these questions and their assumptions because my experience has shown that not many people are willing to ask these sort of questions before something happens. But they usually have no problem putting them to someone the already know is guilty (no risk). If your desire is to honor your call, and is to “show yourself an example of those who believe”, then focus on these five areas of spiritual leadership. I have included some simple verses for each area for you to process. Take some time and journal through your thoughts, talk to God about how you are doing in each of them. It would be great to start the new year focused on taking Paul’s advice and seeing where it can take you.
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