Encouragement
The apostle Paul has so much to teach us in his writings in the New Testament. The subject of ministry is especially addressed in his letters to Timothy, a young leader in the emerging church. One way we can learn from Paul is to take a passage from I Timothy and break it down into today’s language.
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophesy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” I Timothy 4:12-16 NKJV
(1) verse 12- “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in:
(a) Word-something said or thought; topic; reasoning.
(b) Conduct-behavior; conversation.
(c) Love-affection; benevolence; charity.
(d) Spirit-current of air; breeze; human spirit; rational soul; mental disposition.
(e) Faith-persuasion; conviction; rely of Christ for salvation.
(f) Purity-quality of cleanliness; chastity; purity.
(2) verse 13- “till I come, give attention to:
(a) Reading-the act of reading.
(b) Exhortation-imploring; solace; comfort; consolation.
(c) Doctrine-instruction, learning; teaching.
(3) verse 14-“Do not neglect the gift [divine gratuity; charisma] that is in you, which was give to you by prophesy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
(4) Verse 15-“Meditate [take care of] on these things, give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
(5) Verse 15- “Take heed [retain; pay attention] to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save** both yourself and those who hear you.
**Save means to save, deliver; protect; heal; preserve, save [self], do well, be [make] whole.
Breaking it down helps clarify and instruct us further. Below I have written a paraphrase of what is above, thoughts that truly point to a significant ministry.
Don’t worry because of your age. Be an example in what you say or think, your behavior, and your love to others [especially to those less fortunate], your reasoning, logic and convictions. Have a pure heart for God; not idols. Pay attention to your reading, the way you console and comfort others and what you teach and are being taught. Don’t forget the gift that was given to you when the elders laid their hands on you and prayed for you. Take care of all these things completely for all to see. Pay attention to yourself and the teaching. Keep them up and you will save yourself and those who hear you, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Do these simple things and your ministry will take care of itself!
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A needed message, of course, however, this article IMO could literally blossom fully if you "show" rather than "tell." The transition from the verse right into (what appears to be a dictionary) was abrupt. I'm assuming your definitions have come from an English dictionary (as the 'dryness' of the definitions belies it) rather than from the Koine Greek dictionary, i.e. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words. A wonderful tool for us writer types! There were "hints of your heart" in here, but the brevity of the article cast a shadow over it and affected the article. What I mean is, take the time to really draw this out (perhaps 2-3 pages) and see for yourself (then for your readers) that there's more. There's always more!
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