What did I learn from Timothy, well ...
1. Paul's instruction to older women
The older women to set an example for the younger women. The thing that caught my eye is how can the older women be relevant to the younger women to be their 'mentor'? Paul did not allow the experience of these older women to just disappear with age, but he challenge them to be mentors. What is it that these older women can teach the younger women? even in our present day, most older women are not as well educated as the younger women. Some of these older women were not even educated. So we ask, what can they teach?
Very often, when we talk about teaching, we will look at education, and we tend to forget the virtue called experience. The older women has a life of experience. Living a life of purity. It will not be knowledge that they can impart, but lifestyle; experience; faithfulness and submissiveness.
So the call then is to our older women folks, stand up, it is time for you to impart your lifestyle to the next generation of women.
2. Hospitality
It did not occur to me that Paul commands hospitality on the part of the leaders. Whenever I think about hospitality, I always think that this command is for those who God blessed with riches. Those who are rich have the capacity to be hospitality. But from the letters to Timothy and Titus, it is clear that Paul actually says to both Timothy and Titus to show hospitality. Paul instruct Titus "to send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, and see that they lack nothing." (Titus 3:13). We know also that both Timothy and Titus were not rich, yet Paul instruct Titus to ensure that both Zenas and Apollos be on their way "lacking nothing".
I saw something new from this command. That showing hospitality is also a show of our faith both in God's providence and protection. We trust God to provide sufficient for us and also our guests and we trust God to protect us in case our guests turned on us (in the negative sense).
This is a challenge...
3. Leadership by example
It is not age that determines leadership, but conduct. Leaders has the responsibility to set an example for the household of faith. Paul highlighted a few areas where leaders can set the example:
In Speech - Grace. Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasanr words are like honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body".
In Conduct - Praise. 1 Cor. 6:19 "...that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit..." Praise and worship be the hallmark of our conduct.
In Faith - Deeds. James 2:26 "...faith apart from works is dead". God has prepared good works for us, so we need to exhibit faith to go and perform these good deeds.
In Love - Action. John 3:16 "...God so love ... that He gave His SON...". Love in action - hospitality.
In Purity - Lifestyle. 2 Peter 3:14 "...be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish...", to be pure.
Looking at the above list, I realize, I am far from the Paul's standard, but it also meant that there is much room for growth. That I am not yet a finish product, but a work in progress. Hallelujah. God is merciful.
Amen.
1. Paul's instruction to older women
The older women to set an example for the younger women. The thing that caught my eye is how can the older women be relevant to the younger women to be their 'mentor'? Paul did not allow the experience of these older women to just disappear with age, but he challenge them to be mentors. What is it that these older women can teach the younger women? even in our present day, most older women are not as well educated as the younger women. Some of these older women were not even educated. So we ask, what can they teach?
Very often, when we talk about teaching, we will look at education, and we tend to forget the virtue called experience. The older women has a life of experience. Living a life of purity. It will not be knowledge that they can impart, but lifestyle; experience; faithfulness and submissiveness.
So the call then is to our older women folks, stand up, it is time for you to impart your lifestyle to the next generation of women.
2. Hospitality
It did not occur to me that Paul commands hospitality on the part of the leaders. Whenever I think about hospitality, I always think that this command is for those who God blessed with riches. Those who are rich have the capacity to be hospitality. But from the letters to Timothy and Titus, it is clear that Paul actually says to both Timothy and Titus to show hospitality. Paul instruct Titus "to send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, and see that they lack nothing." (Titus 3:13). We know also that both Timothy and Titus were not rich, yet Paul instruct Titus to ensure that both Zenas and Apollos be on their way "lacking nothing".
I saw something new from this command. That showing hospitality is also a show of our faith both in God's providence and protection. We trust God to provide sufficient for us and also our guests and we trust God to protect us in case our guests turned on us (in the negative sense).
This is a challenge...
3. Leadership by example
It is not age that determines leadership, but conduct. Leaders has the responsibility to set an example for the household of faith. Paul highlighted a few areas where leaders can set the example:
In Speech - Grace. Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasanr words are like honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body".
In Conduct - Praise. 1 Cor. 6:19 "...that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit..." Praise and worship be the hallmark of our conduct.
In Faith - Deeds. James 2:26 "...faith apart from works is dead". God has prepared good works for us, so we need to exhibit faith to go and perform these good deeds.
In Love - Action. John 3:16 "...God so love ... that He gave His SON...". Love in action - hospitality.
In Purity - Lifestyle. 2 Peter 3:14 "...be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish...", to be pure.
Looking at the above list, I realize, I am far from the Paul's standard, but it also meant that there is much room for growth. That I am not yet a finish product, but a work in progress. Hallelujah. God is merciful.
Amen.
It is indeed not age that determines leadership, neither is the seniority in faith. I remember when I first took on leadership role in my church - myself being a 1.5 year old Christian, the rest of my groups are already in church for more years than me.
ReplyDeleteHi Francis, I appreciate those elders who are faithfully serving the church. Their commitment is an example to younger people. In everything, I think they are praying and waiting for God's confirmation before they act.
ReplyDeleteHi Francis,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder on leadership is leading by example. And that we are not yet finished but always a word in progress.
Yeah , I agree with you Francis that people tend to choose education over experience. If God's willing that I'm in top position, I'll choose those who have experiences first before certificates because the latter still find problem searching for job.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post at my blog site Francis! It was great to see you in class! :) You are my inspiration to continue to learn even as I grow older each year!
ReplyDeleteYes, saying grace is good to be short especially when the many people around are hungry but the spirit and heart in saying the prayer should be maintained as we learned in class. :) This is what the Lord looks at when we give thanks to Him.
Yes, it is more challenging to be hospitable for those who have lesser compared to the rich. However, it is those who shows hospitality despite of their lesser wealth are the ones that touches our hearts, and moves our hearts to give thanks for them too! :)
Hi my Ex-leader,
ReplyDeleteThis is quite good time to study and enjoy with you.
Thank you for the nice moment and encouragement.
"The leadership by example " is very nice thoughts.
May the Lord continue to bless you as you share your experience with others.
ReplyDelete