2 Timothy 2:1-2 – You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
I just attended a coaching workshop with 20 other pastors at the Ridge Baptist Association. I was reminded just how important it is to invest our lives in others. As a pastor, part of my responsibility is to invest my life in others just as Paul invested in Timothy. As the title of this blog suggests, investing in others can take many forms.
Our text makes it clear that God desires all of us to be involved in pouring into others on some level. Paul discipled Timothy and Timothy was to disciple faithful men who were in turn to disciple others. That’s four generations of disciples.
Here are five truths about these kinds of relationships that make a real impact in the kingdom.
1. This is a completely Biblical concept.
When Jesus gave us the Great Commission, He didn’t say, “go and make converts.” He said, “go and make disciples.”
I’m in a mentoring relationship with a young man. He is a new believer and we have agreed to meet weekly for these purposes: Accountability, Counsel, Biblical Discussion, Prayer. We have designed five questions to help guide us in our meetings:
- How is your daily quiet time?
- Is there anything you are struggling with today?
- What is God trying to teach you?
- What is the best thing happening in your life right now?
- How can I pray for you?
2. This is time-consuming, but it is time wisely spent.
These are the relationships that yield the greatest fruit and the greatest impact for the kingdom. This is where our most valuable ministry can take place. It’s the kind of thing that produces lasting fruit and a legacy that satisfies.
3. This is modeled by Jesus.
He spoke to the crowds but invested His life in twelve.
4. This is what “servant leadership” is all about.
Leading like Jesus means investing in the lives of others.
5. This is a mutually beneficial relationship.
You cannot help others grow without growing yourself.
One of the things that is most discouraging about ministry is that we don’t often know the impact we are having for the kingdom. We work, pray, preach, visit, hold meetings, plan, cast vision, solve problems, comfort the grieving, counsel the hurting, encourage the weak, and challenge the wayward. However, we don’t always know the true impact of our lives on others. Coaching, mentoring, discipling, or whatever you want to call it, can give us a better measure of our influence.
We have a better chance to see the growth and measure the impact when we are investing in the lives of others.
At Care for Pastors, we offer counseling, mentoring, coaching, and practical help for pastors and their families. We provide a safe place to navigate through the unique challenges of pastoral ministry. You are not alone. Reach out to us at careforpastors.org.
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