2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
It is not enough to believe yourself. We need to be passing the Truth along to the next generation. But Paul writes to Timothy, a young minister, that a more important step is to pass the Truth along to others who are qualified to teach. Paul is a teacher writing a teacher telling him he needs to pass it along to a teacher. The responsibility of leaders is not just to lead, but to train up the next generation of leaders. It starts in our homes. We must live lives that are consistent with the Word. Our kids learn very quickly if we have a double standard. If we tell them not be express their anger a certain way, do we express it that way? Where did they learn to express it that way? Probably from you! I think one of my children picked up the quick tongue I had when they were younger and under my roof. When I hear them quickly aim the gun of accusation, I hear my own voice from years ago. Maybe my wife would still say I carry that gun. You would have to ask her to find out. I see my children raising their children with patience and kindness. Maybe I had some influence for the positive. The real question will be when I see my grandchildren raise their kids. How will they act toward them? Paul is making the point that Timothy has the responsibility to pass along the truth of the Gospel to future generations. It is our spiritual grandchildren that are the litmus test of our own living of the Truth. Some of the people we discipled early in our ministry are serving the Lord with energy and perseverance. I don’t know the full impact of my life. I do know that I have had impact, some positive and some not so positive. How about you?
The Arnold Journey 