Apprenticeship

Meditation
1 Timothy 6:11,12--But you, man of God, run from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses.
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The Apostle Paul had a father-son type relationship with Timothy.  When we read 1 and 2 Timothy, we are reading letters of a mentor to his spiritual apprentice.  Both letters contain warm fatherly advice and spiritual instruction that if followed would ensure Timothy success.  Paul invested time in Tim because he realized that what he passed on to this reliable man would be invested in other faithful believers who in turn would be qualified to train others (2 Timothy 2:2).  

Is it noteworthy that God did not send Jesus to earth to establish religious training institutes?  Jesus came and poured His life into 12 followers who left everything to follow the world’s greatest Teacher.  His strategy was hands-on training.  The master Mentor’s results were world changing.  Paul and the other apostles used the same approach.  

Someone will say, “How can I do this when I have no one to train?”  Do you have children?  Raise them in the fear of the Lord.  Pour your life into their spiritual development and expect lasting fruit. Do you have friends?  Set up regular appointments to study Scripture and pray.  

Others will reply, “I’m too weak to help anyone else.  I don’t know enough about God yet.”  Seek out a true God-follower and request that person’s help.  Become an apprentice that you might someday lead others.
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Still others will state, “I’m too busy and besides my life isn’t worth emulating . . .” Well, whose kingdom are you living for? God never said it would be easy to follow Him.  It takes hard work and sacrifice because we live in a fallen world.  Yet, the sacrifices we make to grow in our love for God and help others grow are invaluable.  I would rather struggle to make time to spend with my Father and put forth the extra effort to train apprentices than have all the riches and comforts this world can offer.  What greater joy can we have than in seeing those we have taught--walking with God . . . training others!!!  
 
Inspiration
Paul’s method was that of apprenticeship, that is always God’s method of training workers.—Oswald Chambers in Workmen of God
 
©1998 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the "Click here to receive weekly devotionals" box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)