For the last couple of weeks, my morning devotions have been from the Apostle Paul’s letters to Timothy, his “spiritual son.” In the context of Timothy’s leadership role at the Ephesian church, much of Paul’s counsel is about standing firm in the faith and identifying false teaching trying to permeate the church. Paul did not expect this to be easy for Timothy; in fact, 2 Timothy was written during Paul’s final imprisonment in a Roman dungeon, and persecution as well as false doctrine were on the rise.
What stands out to me in these passages is the need for diligence. Paul starts right out in 1 Timothy by listing problematic behaviors in the church that must be addressed, including being “averse to sound teaching” (v. 11, BSB). To combat this, Timothy is instructed to “fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith” (v. 18-19). It is also implied that Timothy is still a fairly young man.
With reminders to bathe everything in prayer (ch. 2) and establish high standards for leadership (ch. 3), chapter 4 uses the metaphor of athletic training, with words like “diligence,” “persevere,” and “pay close attention.” Chapters 5 and 6 continue with cautions about sound doctrine, as does the entire second letter; 2 Timothy 2:15 is an often-quoted reminder to work diligently and “accurately handle the word of truth.”
Paul also tells Timothy to “be a good soldier” (2 Tim. 2:3). I thought about these passages recently, as Word War II and Korean War veterans shared stories at their reunion during veterans week in Branson. I’ve also been browsing my dad’s copy of “Follow Me: The History of the Second Marine Division in World War II,” which he received after the war. The photos in that book are sobering; soldiers charged out of Higgins boats or dropped by parachute, ready to do what needed to be done; many did not survive, but that possibility didn’t stop them from giving their best. The work and preparation required is something citizens often take for granted about our military, and we don’t always think about the young age of many soldiers; Dad was barely 19 when he fought in the battle of Saipan.
What would happen if we applied, and expected, that same diligence in our church youth groups and young adult groups today? Could a revival like the recent Asbury University outpouring take place right in our Wednesday night youth meetings? I’ve seen some youth groups over the years tackle tough conversations about biblical standards and being prepared to handle questions about the Bible and the gospel, but to be honest, I’ve also seen meetings that were mostly entertainment. While youth meetings should be an enjoyable time of fellowship, it’s vital that we address tough issues, equip our youth with biblical answers, and develop a prayerful atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to speak to their hearts.
Talking with my own young adult children, I get the idea that many young people are tired of meaningless or self-centered culture and are ready to engage seriously with something they believe in. Let’s heed Paul’s advice to Timothy and not disappoint them.
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