Fully Devoted: The ChurchSample

Leaders of Today

First Timothy is a letter written to Timothy, a student of Paul’s who tagged along on the second of his three missionary journeys. It’s believed that Timothy was between 16 and 21 when he began traveling with Paul. This letter came a little later, after Paul had sent Timothy on a special assignment. Paul charges Timothy, a new, young leader, to confront the bad ideas about the gospel that the church in Ephesus was adopting. 

Paul reminds Timothy about the truth of the human condition, the power of prayer, and the mission of God. He calls Timothy to deal with the shame and strife within the church, address their leadership crisis, and confront corruption. 

Pause. This all sounds really good, but put yourself in Timothy’s shoes for a second. You're the new kid in town, and someone you look up to has entrusted you with this opportunity. But you’re going to have to step on some toes to get it done. Oh, and most of the people you’re going to call out are significantly older and more influential than you. How would you feel? What thoughts would go through your head? Timothy was probably wrestling with some self-doubt and insecurity. Paul anticipates these reactions and writes: 

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 1 Timothy 4:12-15 NIV 

Paul was showing Timothy how to go about confronting the issues in the church and the insecurity in his own heart. And it’s the same process. It looks like working through every area of our own life, finding where bad ideas have infiltrated our understanding of the good news, and letting the truth of God’s Word correct our thinking—which then sets an example for others. Much like the students and young adults of our time, Timothy is poised within the Church to lead the way, but it will require a lot of humility and vulnerability. 

Really, what Paul demonstrates throughout this epistle is that deconstruction done right is not a bad thing. A willingness to confront the wrong ideas that we and others have held about the gospel is actually a high calling that requires a lot of courage. And it’s something we’re powerfully positioned to teach others how to do well. But in order to do that, we have to set an example of what it looks like.

Which means that we have to resist the temptation to just come in and wreck existing systems, and instead be known for our gentleness. We must refuse to deconstruct irresponsibly. That doesn’t mean we have to get it right every time or be perfect. What was the thing Paul told Timothy to let people see? Not his perfection, but his progress. Let other people see you moving forward on the journey. Don’t wait until you have it all figured out, and don’t give up in the middle. Keep pressing in, and invite people to come along with you. Ask questions and confront the bad news that has wormed its way into your own heart. 

It’s when we do this that we truly become not the leaders of tomorrow, but the leaders of today, powerfully championing the good news of the Kingdom in the same way our King did. Jesus simply invited people to walk with Him, and to go on the journey of discovering that our souls can, in fact, rest in the truth and goodness of who He is.

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 NIV 

Journaling Questions  

• What verse stood out to you the most in today’s reading? Write it in your journal. 
• In your own words, explain what it means to lead by example. 
• What does humility have to do with leadership? What about vulnerability?

Memory Verse

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:28-29 NIV