Mentoring 101, part 3 - 1 THESSALONIANS Series (3)

Be a Barnabas, Find a Paul and...

Train a Timothy

A third key life-development relationship we observe in the New Testament is embodied in training. When you find someone who is willing to listen, and motivated to learn, be sure to take the time, expend the energy, and invest in training and helping them.

Training is a recurring activity involving instruction, implementation, observation, and evaluation. In this model, the event of teaching/instruction is but a single component in the process of training.

Intentional training is needed today. Skills need to be learned and competencies need to be refined. Many young Timothys desperately need increased effectiveness.

While the primary result may be that the young person is trained, more competent, more confident and more effective, several things happen as a byproduct of all this activity. Miraculously, benefit also comes to the one doing the training. As the teacher shares the principles, they are further highlighted in the teacher’s mind and heart, thereby strengthening the faith and resolve in the one doing the training.

Additionally, a certain amount of accountability and responsibility is applied to the life of the one doing the training, “so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:27). Furthermore, joy wells up in the heart of the one investing the training energy whenever those influenced become effective. The aged apostle John, referencing his friend Gaius, said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4). Train a Timothy. In addition, the process and discipline of training another person can have a positive effect on the trainer through reinforcement of truths we hold dear.

Conclusion

If each of us would seek to be a Barnabas, pursue a Paul, and train a Timothy, many people sitting on the sidelines of life could become active and productive members of society. In pursuit of much needed mentoring, these lifelong learners, could be better prepared for the long haul.

When youngsters are mentored, they will be more effective in their work, both now and in the future. The more people we have who are better equipped for the real world, and who are in it for the long haul will have a profound positive effect on their future families and their communities.

Be a Barnabas, pursue a Paul, and train Timothy...