Teach Believers With Your Life

1 Timothy 4 

Scripture: 

Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use. 

Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.  (1 Tim. 4:11-6) 

Observation: 

This is a direct address from Paul, to Timothy, giving profound encouragement to his protégée in the ministry.  Timothy was young.  He interacted on Paul's behalf with the other disciples and with the seed churches that Paul had planted.  Apparently, his youth caused some measure of discomfort for him, a possible lack of respect or dismissive  kind of attitude from others is my guess.  He also helped Paul with the everyday commerce of living, and so took on more and more responsibility.    

Application: 

I think the words Paul  spoke to Tim in that century, apply to us here in ours.  We hear so much negative talk from the world, our families, and sometimes even ourselves that it's easy to let the weight of our obstacles tie us down.  Timothy is exhorted by Paul to teach, the message version uses it twice - the NIV says to "set an example" And the description of how to do it, is all wrapped up in how he behaves, the words he uses, his humble/meekness, by how he loves, by his faith and through the honesty of where his words and his actions live in harmony.  

Notice he didn't say: Go to bible college; take theology courses, public speaking classes, pastor internships, or anything like that.  He simply said to set a good example by your life.  The Message version says to "teach believers with your life."   

I like that. 

Prayer: 

Lord, help us be so close to you, that our life teaches others how to be at peace with you.  Amen.