Leadership Lesson #10

Paul’s Last Instructions to Timothy

"Timothy, you know what I teach and how I live. You know what I want to do and what I believe. You have seen how patient and loving I am, and how in the past I put up with trouble and suffering in the cities of Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. Yet the Lord rescued me from all those terrible troubles. 

Anyone who belongs to Christ Jesus and wants to live right will have trouble from others. But evil people who pretend to be what they are not will become worse than ever, as they fool others and are fooled themselves.

Keep on being faithful to what you were taught and to what you believed. After all, you know who taught you these things. Since childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to make you wise enough to have faith in Christ Jesus and be saved. 

Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds." 2 Timothy 3:10-17

As we move on with this series on leadership, we read above that Paul's instructions gave Timothy more insight and warnings.

Let us pull out a few of the major lessons from that excerpt. 

1. Paul reminded Timothy that he taught not just through words but also more by his actions. In short, walk the talk.

2. Love, specifically the love of God covers a multitude of sins. When we have God's love inside us it will not be hard to understand that there will be people who will cause us trouble and God's grace is sufficient for these.

3. Trouble, some will continue to bring trouble and to deceive but when we understand that they are deceived themselves, then we would know that they need instruction not condemnation.

4. Be unfazed, persevere, expect roundblocks and stumbling blocks to line our faith walk. Expect them and be prepared. Actually we should be a little worried if everything is smooth sailing. That is not what Jesus told His disciples to expect.

5. Read God's Word. This will help to prepare us, to renew our minds daily and strengthen our spirits, the flesh is weak but inside us is residing God's Spirit who will be our ever present Help, if we allow Him to.

6. Use God's Word to teach, help and train others with the guidance of the Spirit of God.