Read II Timothy 2 Exhortation to Faithful Endurance

And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well. (II Timothy 2:2)

Asian Games 2010 in Guangzhou, the Kazakhstan team never made it beyond their second runner in the women's relay race. The baton was dropped and as the two runners slumped on the side-line, dejection on their faces, the commentator offered his sympathy, "It could happen to the best team. "

Paul had trained Timothy. Now he instructs Timothy to do the same to faithful people. People who are also competent to train others. At this level the things taught would have multiplied four times. There are three generations of leadership development indicated in this passage. The first is Pauls leadership of Timothy. The next is Timothys teaching of faithful men, and then these faithful men will teach others.

Paul used a four-phase process to develop his protg, Timothy. This provides a model for our approach to developing those who are faithful, available and teachable around us.

Phase 1: Watch Me. While Timothy was still young and immature in his faith, Paul asked him to join him on his mission trips and simply observe. Paul selected Timothy to accompany him on his missionary journeys because he had a good reputation among the believers in Lystra (Acts 16:1-3).

Phase 2: Do It with Me. It wasnt long before Timothy was not just accompanying Paul, but was actually ministering with him in the cities outside of Jerusalem (Acts16:4). Paul refers to working with Timothy in the opening greetings in six of his letters, II Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon.

Phase 3: You Do It, I Watch. During the next phase of Timothys development, Paul would often send him on specific tasks (Philippians 2:19). These can be viewed as developmental assignments designed to develop Timothys ability to work independently. When he returned, Paul would provide a constructive review and critique.

Phase 4: You Do It. Paul left Timothy to pastor the church in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). When Timothy became the leader of that church, Paul encouraged him to perpetuate the legacy process he himself had modelled. Timothy as an example for others.

Paul is concerned of the apostolic truth. Those that were publicly proclaimed be retained as the standard of sound teaching. Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (II Timothy 1:13)

Prayer: Lord You have sent people along my path and they have invested in me. Grant that whatever I have been taught, mentored I am also train and equip others who are faithful to multiply.

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