PAUL TO TIMOTHY LEADERSHIP FROM A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

Transcription

1 PAUL TO TIMOTHY LEADERSHIP FROM A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE The Developement of a Leader This study was developed in conjunction with Leadership Dynamics

2 CONTENT Introduction 5 01 _ The Leader to Be 6 02 _ The Leader in the Making _ The Leader in the Beginning of His or Her Own Ministry _ The Leader in Search of Balance 14 4a _ Hold Onto Your Calling 16 4b _ Be an Example 18 4c _ Lead From and Through a Spirit-led Character 20 4d _ Develop Good Social Skills 22 4e _ Correct People You Work With if Necessary 24 4f _ Be Careful in Choosing New Leaders _ The Leader Capitalizes on His Spiritual Power _ The Leader Multiplies Himself in Others 24 This study is published by CBMC and Leadership Dynamics. Copyright 2011 CBMC Nederland and Leadership Dynamics CBMC Nederland Leadership Dynamics, Renswoude Text: Eugene Poppe Design: Kirsten Roordink-Hagg Translated version: June, 2017 by Erin van Santen-Hobbie All biblical texts are taken from the NIV.

3 INTRODUCTION The subjects of mentoring and coaching are discussed in almost every book on management, in one way or another. This makes sense. Every good leader has had or has good coaches around him or her in developing as a leader. As a result, nearly every healthy spiritual leader has a strong desire to become a mentor or coach for the next generation. In any case, we see this in the life of Paul, who was a mentor to Timothy. In both of Paul s letters to Timothy we read about his care for and advice to his mentee. What is striking here is that Timothy does not have it easy. Although we don t find this stated directly in the text, we see this in Paul s response to the current situation. After a quick career as an evangelist, as a pastor he was faced with his limitations within the church of Ephesus. Even those in his surrounding community didn t respond well to him. Timothy even considered stopping his ministry (2 Timothy 1:6-7, 2 Timothy 4:5). It was in this context that Paul wrote two letters to his mentee. In this study we are going to look closely at both the letters and the development process in this young leader. We ll follow the life of Timothy from the beginning until about halfway, as the exact details of the end of Timothy s life and ministry remains unknown. In the study of the development in Timothy s life as spiritual leader, we ve borrowed an idea from R. Clinton s book The Making of a Leader. In his book Clinton writes of six phases in which a (spiritual) leader, consciously or unconsciously, must come to terms with in order to become a leader with optimal influence and to bear fruit. Some leaders go through all of the phases at once, while some become stuck halfway through. When we line these phases up next to Timothy s life, we see a clear pattern emerge. The next chapters will describe the first four phases in conjunction with the life of Timothy. Introduction Chapter 4 is broken into six separate sections. The last two phases will be described and compared with the life of Paul. During this study we hope that you will connect these phases to your own life. The last two chapters are meant to be part of one discussion. 5

4 1A BALANCE OF CHARACTER, COMPETENCE AND 1A SPIRITUAL LEADER TO LIFE BE Childhood and the adolescent years are central to the potential of a spiritual leader. This is the time the foundations of character are laid for the future. We also see this in the life of young Timothy. Timothy grew up in a family with a Jewish mother and a Greek father. We know very little about his upbringing except that he was not circumcised, which indicates that he was brought up more Greek than Jewish in terms of habits and practices. His mother and grandmother, however, were Christians and raised Timothy within this faith (Acts 16: 1-3 and 2 Timothy 1:5). We don t know why Paul decided to bring Timothy along with him. Later Paul testifies to a special quality of Timothy s, namely loyalty. Faithful in the Lord, true to his service, and loyal to Paul (Philippians 2:19-22). 1. What kind of building blocks have been laid in your own childhood or adolescence, that have made you into who you are? Think for example of the spiritual heritage from your parents, your development as a child and teen, and your experiences at school, church, team sports, etc.? 2. What building blocks have you clearly missed? How did this affect you? 1 3. Have you been in a position to replace the building blocks missing from your life? What role have God and your faith played in this? 4. How have you dealt with negative building blocks (ie. negative words), that may have been part of your childhood or adolescence? Have you somehow experienced healing? A leader to be 7

5 1 A leader to be 8 9

6 2 THE LEADER IN THE MAKING During this period the spiritual life of the potential spiritual leader develops. He or she consciously decides to follow God and accept Jesus as the Lord and Saviour of his or her life. He or she discovers that God has given him or her certain gifts in the area of leadership. His or her environment reflects someone with a positive attitude, a degree of self-confidence, someone who can handle people well, and who questions the status-quo. Often in this phase a longing grows to do something for God with his or her life. He or she searches for a place where his potential and gifting for leadership can develop, whether in the church or in the workplace. This is how it was in Timothy s life: When Paul first met him, he was well known by his fellow believers (Acts 16:3). Paul took Timothy with him on his missionary journey, but initially challenged him not to offend the Jews they would come across on their travels (Acts 16:3). Timothy was prepared to go along with this. In the early years of Timothy s ministry, he would finish what Paul had begun. Paul would preach somewhere, a community would form, and then Paul would have to pull out because of pressure from the outside. Silas and also Timothy stayed behind to help these young congregations make their way (Acts 17:12-14) When did you decide to trust Jesus as your Lord and Saviour? 2. When has there been a desire to do something with your life for God? 3. When did you discover that you had certain gifts in the area of leadership? 4. What have you done to further develop these gifts? 5. How does that desire take shape in your work? Give a specific example of how your leadership serves to make God bigger and helps people to find their purpose within your work environment. The leader in the making 11

7 2 The leader in the making 12 13

8 3 THE LEADER IN THE BEGINNING OF HIS OWN MINISTRY In this third phase the leader begins to operate his or her own ministry. He or she receives training in the field of knowledge and acquires new skills, learning to trust God in this new territory of ministry in addition to his or her life. However, often he or she is confronted by his or her limitations, as we also see with Timothy. After a time, Paul sends Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia to prepare the congregation there for his arrival (Acts 19:21-22). Here we see Timothy s responsibilities and ministry growing. In the process of growing in leadership Timothy is confronted by his limitations. He is naturally afraid and shy, and his environment (the congregation he is serving) doesn t see him as a full-fledged spiritual leader (1 Corinthians 16:10-11). Still Timothy doesn t let this stop him from accomplishing his mission. At Paul s request he keeps seeking out young congregations, encouraging them to persevere in the faith (1Thesselonians 3:1-6). Timothy is arrested, something he was afraid of. Fortunately, he is released again (Hebrews 13:23 and 2 Timothy 3:11) Tell something about your own developmental process in the area of (spiritual) leadership. Where has everything gone well, and where have you been confronted by your limitations? How have you dealt with that? 2. Which limitations continue to hinder your function as a (spiritual) leader in the workplace? The leader in the beginning of his own ministry 15

9 3 The leader in the beginning of his own ministry 16 17

10 4 THE LEADER IN SEARCH OF BALANCE Timothy has arrived at the beginning of the fourth phase. At the time of Paul s writing, Timothy has become the pastor at the church in Ephesus, and is looking for balance in his ministry. He now has a fair perspective of his gifts and talents, and is also aware of his weaker sides. However, he underestimates his strong points and must learn to deal with all of the conflicts that confront him within the congregation. He must learn not only how to encourage people, but also how to admonish them, something he finds very difficult. It is in this context that Paul writes his letters to Timothy. 4A. HOLDING ONTO YOUR CALLING When things go awry and you have to face your own shortcomings, you tend to forget why you re doing what you re doing. What is your personal mission and calling? Paul reminds Timothy of his mission and calling, reminding him not to quit his ministry. As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines there any longer or devote themselves to myths or endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God s work which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:3-5 4 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding onto faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 1 Timothy 1:18-19 Do not neglect your gift, which was given to you through prophecy when the body of elders lay their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 1 Timothy 4:14-15 For this reason I remind you to fan into the flame the gift from God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:6 The leader in search of balance He (God) has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done, but because of His own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 1:9 19

11 1. Which verses above draw attention to the idea of calling? It is through this calling that we understand the inner urge (as mentioned above) to fulfil a specific mission in life. Each person can have a different calling in his or her life. 2. What is your personal calling at this particular moment? How do you give shape to this? 4B. BE AN EXAMPLE Paul calls on Timothy to be an example in the way he lives as a Christian, also in how he deals with this difficult time in his life. Because...people follow leaders not because of what they say, but because of what they do. 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. 1 Timothy 4:12 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you - guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 2 Timothy 1:13-14 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker that does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and able to do any good work. 2 Timothy 2:21 1. Of what must Timothy be an example? 2. What does this mean in his own life and in his surroundings? 3. In what are you an example? Of what must you be an example? 4. One of the areas in which we should be an example is in the area of life sanctification (see the next paragraph). What issues mentioned here are a serious threat to us? To what extent do we experience a form of bondage? How can we break this bondage in our lives? 4C. LEAD FROM AND THROUGH A SPIRIT-LED CHARACTER When the Bible speaks of criteria to apply in the search for spiritual leaders, it emphasizes the leader s character. This makes perfect sense, as many qualities can be developed, but a bad character is difficult to change. Therefore Paul in his letters to Timothy reminds him to act from a Spirit-led character instead of reacting emotionally from the flesh, as he may find himself wanting to. And the Lord s servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 2 Timothy 2:24 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil s trap. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 4 The leader in search of balance 20 21

12 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11 1. Which character traits should a spiritual leader have and/or develop? 2. Place 1 Timothy 3:1-7 next to your life. What are the similarities and the differences? On which point can you work on right now? Make an action plan to do this. 3. What negative character traits do you see in leaders around you? How does this affect you? 4. To what extent can the truth of Romans 8:13 help us to develop a Spirit-led character? 4D. DEVELOP GOOD SOCIAL SKILLS Good leadership is dependent on the development of good social skills. People are very different from each other and must be treated accordingly. One person may require directness, while this may be a mistake with another. Timothy must learn how to communicate properly with everyone. Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 1 Timothy 5: Describe your own social skills. Give two examples from real life to explain what you mean. 4E. CORRECT PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH (IF NECESSARY) Nearly everyone wants to be liked. Leaders are no exception to this rule. This means that they sometimes find it difficult to take unpopular measures or to correct people, even when necessary. To do this well, it is important that you are both able to do this from a pure motive, and able to set your own personal preferences aside. I charge you, in the sight of God and Jesus Christ and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism. 1 Timothy 5:21 1. Do you find it difficult or easy to correct people? When or how? 2. Which lessons did you learn in this time? 3. To what extent do you manage to stay impartial in a conflict? 4F. BE CAREFUL IN CHOOSING NEW LEADERS One of the characteristics of a good leader is the ability to recognize leadership potential. A characteristic of poor leadership is not giving potential leaders a chance to develop, out of a fear that they might become better than the leader him or herself. Timothy received a clear assignment from Paul to seek out and invest in potential leaders. Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 1 Timothy 3:1 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 1 Timothy 3:6 4 The leader in search of balance 2. How have you grown in this area recently? 3. How would you like to continue growing? They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them let them serve as deacons. 1 Timothy 3:

13 Let them (leaders) not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 1 Timothy 5:22 1. What lessons do the verses above teach us about choosing new leadership? 2. What criteria do you use when looking for potential leaders? How do you recognize them? 3. Have you ever chosen the wrong person? How did this happen and what was the outcome? As mentioned at the beginning of this study, we ve used R. Clinton s six phases as a common theme. We ve seen how, predominately in Phase Four, Timothy encounters himself and how Paul helps Timothy find balance again by offering practical advice. We don t read anything in the Bible about the last two phases in Timothy s life. The most likely reason is that Timothy arrived at phases in the life of Paul himself. 4 The leader in search of balance 24 25

14 THE LEADER CAPITALIZES 5ON HIS SPIRITUAL POWER In this phase the leader sees the most fruit in his or her life. Everything, including what he or she has learned in the previous phases, comes together, bearing him the most possible fruit. In this phase he or she focuses on a few things that he or she does really well. In this stage of leadership, the words of Psalm 1 appear to be especially true: everything the psalmist does blossoms. It is blessed, and because of it others are blessed. This is also true in the life of Paul. At the end of his life he is forced to rest in prison, time he uses to write letters to the various congregations he founded or taught. In these letters we find personal lessons that Paul learned in his walk with God, in which he writes under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In this way he is able to pass his wisdom on to the next generation. That brings us to the last phase. 5 The leader capitalizes on his spiritual power 27

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16 6 THE LEADER MULTIPLIES HIMSELF IN OTHERS In this last phase we see that the emphasis is passing on the leader s heritage to the next generation. This is what Paul is doing in his letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. He gives Timothy the task of doing the same. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2 1. In which phase in your development as (spiritual) leader are you currently in? 2. What are the steps you must follow in order to grow into the next phase? 3. What could prevent you from reaching the next phase? 4. To what extent are you focused on helping the next generation of leaders to develop thier potential? 5. What either inspires you or stops you from doing this? 6 The leader multiplies himself in others 31

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18 LEADERSHIP FROM A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE Leadership Dynamics (LD) is a Christian advice and training center that deals with leadership development and coaches potential spiritual leaders within churches, communities, and Christian organizations. LD uses the Bible as a starting point because of its many healthy leadership principles, such as the book of Proverbs. LD began in 2004 in response to a vision and calling that Eugene Poppe received years before. Currently the LD team consists of three advisors/trainers and a part time office worker. The office is located in Renswoude, the Netherlands. LD s goal is to provide and assist potential spiritual leaders in discovering, developing, and applying leadership skills for the glory of God and the furthering of His kingdom. EUROPARTNERS IS A MOVEMENT OF BUSINESS LEADERS AND (YOUNG) PROFESSIONALS WHO DESIRE TO HELP THEIR FRIENDS AND PEERS TO CONNECT TO JESUS CHRIST OUR DREAM It is our dream that all business leaders, -owners and (young) professionals accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Moreover, that they will reflect Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God in the way they behave, speak and do business, so that all people will honour and glorify God for who He is. OUR STRATEGY We mobilize and train Christian business leaders, -owners and (young) professionals to be an ambassador of Christ in their everyday life. We do this according to 2 Corinthians 5:20: As Christian businesspeople we are marketplace ambassadors of Christ. God is making His appeal through us; to beg the world on behalf of Christ, to be reconciled to God. OUR ACTIVITIES Resources and training programs to help businesspeople and (young) professionals grow spiritually and reflect the Kingdom in the way they do business. An Annual Conference where businesspeople, (young) professionals and ministry leaders can meet for friendship and encouragement. It is a place of inspiration, reflection and training. The Young Professionals Academy to equip and inspire young professionals to become a marketplace ambassador and a ministry leader in their nation. With midweeks or weekend meetings, trainings and a mentoring program. Personal support and coaching of business leaders and their teams on spiritual growth and achieving their goals in the best possible way. CBMC training and support to start a national CBMC ministry based on teams, prayer, leadership, evangelism and discipleship. Event support with a network of volunteers, professionals, speakers and businesspeople that can serve the various national ministries in outreach and in reaching businesspeople and (young) professionals in their nation. TARGET GROUPS OF EUROPARTNERS We focus on business leaders, business owners, (young) professionals and ministry leaders in business. More information: Europartners is part of the CBMC movement 34

19 EUROPARTNERS The Netherlands Phone: