As we look towards the future of The Well, and continue to build what God has begun, how can we mimic and model Timothy? Additionally, how can we “give each member of the Family a piece of the church or the city to call their own?” How can they fan into flame the gifts they’ve been given?

As Paul continues with Timothy, he encourages him to walk in the calling that God has laid out for him. Timothy needs to guard the good deposit (which Paul will expound on in later chapters), and not stray from the calling God has for him. Additionally, Paul is willing to suffer for this call and encourages Timothy to be willing to do the same; are we willing to suffer for ours?

Though the most famous verse on discipleship is found in this passage, Paul’s main message to Timothy here is actually for him to personally endure for the sake of the gospel. Like how a farmer, athlete, and soldier works hard for something bigger than themselves, so Timothy should likewise model this, as he’s imitating Christ and even Paul who also sacrificed for something bigger than themselves. Therefore, we ought to endure, and then once we endure, like Jesus and Paul, pass this on to others.

Holiness is required by the man and woman of God who are being used by God in ministry. If we are to fan into flame and walk in our calling, enduring and passing this on to others, personal holiness is a must; something our culture virtually completely rejects, both passively and actively. It is an encouragement to forsake youthful lust, and to “grow up” into Christ.

Unfortunately, many people pervert the gospel, or walk in direct opposition to it, accepting instead the wisdom of their flesh, or of this world. Paul is warning Timothy not only to see this, but to also speak against this, and build up a different type of faith, and a different type of people. The same danger is present in our lives today. In fact, verses 2-5 sound like they’re written about our society! Therefore, we must have true doctrine that aligns with the Word of God, and be careful for counterfeits.

The Word of God is a powerful tool to help us see our gift understand and be equipped for our calling , give us stories and reminds us to endure this race, help us know how to be approved by God , and give us true knowledge, instead of worldly knowledge. To know, love, understand, and seek to walk in the Word is so important. We are a people who are empowered by the Spirit and submitted to God’s word. Therefore, we must be a people who are committed to the Word and seek to grow in love and understanding of it.

As we close, we see Paul having run, and then finished the race. While so many others burnt out along the way, Paul persevered. How? This is an important question for us as a young church. The stats say that so many of us will fall into the dangers presented here by this book. Therefore, we must know how to persevere for the long-haul, walking in the truth of the gospel.