Timothy
Open Your Bible
Acts 16:1-5, 2 Timothy 1:1-5, 1 Corinthians 4:17, Philippians 2:19-24, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-6, Psalm 133:1-3
BY Bailey Gillespie
Around the age of eighteen, I remember praying for a mentor. I had no idea where to look for one, so soliciting God’s help felt like the right thing to do. Fast forward a few years, and I still hadn’t found one—at least not the formal, “let’s grab coffee every week and come with questions prepared” kind of relationship.
A few weeks after visiting a new church, a lady who always gave out hugs and smelled like flower blossoms befriended me. She led the women’s ministry and loved hosting people around her dining table for prayer, Bible study, and honest conversations about wrestling through everyday life. Often, I would linger after everyone else went home, as we kept talking or laughing or drinking tea. There was nothing weird or formal about it—just normal time spent with someone who was genuinely interested in my life and relationship with Jesus.
We all need mutually life-giving spiritual friendships, and the apostle Paul was no exception. One reason why Paul hand-picked Timothy to be his companion was because of his top-notch reputation in the community. The young man was also a third-generation believer, resulting from a lineage of not one but two God-fearing female figures—a mother and grandmother (2Timothy 1:5). Having a mother who was Jewish positioned him well for ministry in a multicultural region of both Jews and Gentiles.
I’m sure the legacy of Timothy’s faith was an advantage to being chosen as a companion, but it wasn’t enough simply for him to be familiar with Scripture (2Timothy 3:15); he needed to own his faith for himself. Later on in their partnership, Paul saw firsthand how the man had been personally transformed, and said, “I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am convinced, is in you also” (2Timothy 1:5).
For being just one man, his influence on Christianity and the canon of Scripture is pretty astounding. Being so interconnected to Paul’s ministry, Timothy either co-wrote or co-labored with his friend during the experiences captured within Paul’s letters. Ultimately, it was Timothy’s proven, trustworthy character and unmatched integrity that led Paul to trust him enough to lead and teach in his place (Philippians 2:22). They supported and helped each other grow, just as they did for the Church. This is why Paul referred to him as his “dearly loved and faithful child in the Lord” (1Corinthians 4:17).
Timothy is a vibrant example of what it looks like to be mentored in the faith. The companionship we see modeled by these two men inspires us to seek out our own fellow sojourners in the faith, and in turn ask ourselves, Who am I investing in spiritually? Who am I allowing myself to be mentored by? How might God use my relationships for the flourishing of His Church? Spiritual mentorships don’t have to be rigid or classified as anything formal. They just have to draw us closer to Jesus and to one other.
37 thoughts on "Timothy"
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I feel like God is trying to drive something home for me, as today’s devotional reminds me of yesterday’s. The questions I need to be daily asking myself are “What am I learning? What am I teaching? And “Who am I learning from? Who am I teaching?” If I want to be effective in the Kingdom (and I do!!!) I believe God is showing me where it starts in having this daily conversation with Him and asking these questions of myself.
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Love this
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Things I love and learn from Timothy:
1.) GOD KNOWS OUR LOAD AND PROVIDES: Do you remember back when we studied Paul? God told Ananias to go to Paul and, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” In God’s plan for Paul’s ministry, there would be suffering. So, God sent Timothy. Timothy was an encouragement to Paul. It started with relationship. Relationship first with Jesus, also with Paul, and apparently also with other believers, since Paul felt comfortable sending him out on his own. Praise God, He knows our load, and provides for us.
2.)GODLY MOMS MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Timothy’s mom and grandmother were believers. Oh the blessings of a spiritual heritage!
Mom of little ones…the foundation you are laying right now is a precious and eternal gift you give your children. (I believe God gives us children when we are younger because we have more energy…even then, most days I collapsed to my knees for prayer, crawled in to bed, and slept the sound sleep of exhaustion every night. When your children are grown and you look back, the exhaustion was a good thing. You put everything you had into each day. Guess what else…whether you kept your house neat as a pin, had unmade beds and toys scattered everywhere, or some of both…it won’t matter a bit!)
Moms of elementary age kiddos, keep it up – you are their best teacher! (As an elementary teacher who loves her students…my influence is nothing compared to the impact of a parent’s time and love!)
Moms of teens, hold strong to what you believe while maintaining the love and relationship. (This was the stage we questioned ourselves as parents the most, because they questioned us the most. It was also following this time, both our boys thanked us for holding strong and saying “No,” at times when the peer pressure was so strong.)
Mom of adult men or women, maybe even grandchildren. While our influence is different, our love and prayers only continue to grow stronger.
Imperfect, godly moms, your children (and your husband) will be blessed as you faithfully love them in Jesus. Churchmouse, what you shared is so true and so well said. It is the small things, over time that build something great! Why do you think the devil tries so hard to convince us they don’t matter? It is because we are building an eternally foundation for Jesus. Building an altar of worship, one stone at a time.3.)SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY HONORS GOD AND FURTHERS HIS KINGDOM: We all find ourselves here. Young, middle-aged, older…God has created you for a purpose, RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE TODAY. Together we stretch, grow, and draw closer to the Savior. As warriors for the kingdom. Helping each other to plant our spiked feet-of-peace deeply into the soil of his kingdom. Helping each other put on our armor…locking that breastplate of righteousness firmly in the the belt of truth for stability. (My spirit giggles as I picture my sister-in-Christ giving my helmet of salvation a firm pound down to remind me it is in place and secure.) Our swords are drawn. God’s Light shines forth.
Galatians 6:9 Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.
Yep, we are in this together, and that is a good thing.
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❤️❤️❤️ Angie your words spoke to me today. Although I became a Christian later in life. I have sorrow over not growing up in a believing home. Not being a strong believer while raising my son. Yet the tone is now for me. I’m so thankful for my relationship with the Lord. And so thankful for all of you sisters in Christ.
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Hi Tina, wonderful news. I will continue to pray for him.
Bestisyettocome, praying for you during this difficult time of job loss. God is with you and knows your need; He will provide for you.
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My father used to mentor many people in the Word of God. I guess he also mentored me. As I got older and enjoyed talking more about the Bible, he and I would sit down and have conversations about it. If I heard something I was uncertain about and I couldn’t locate it in the Bible I would ask him about it. Every morning and evening I would see him reading his Bible and doing a devotion.
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Three years ago I was afraid of my own shadow! I could hardly breathe. I tried to remain strong for my two children who back then my son was still a minor. I fully committed to the ministry of Celebrate Recovery. It was there that I met my mentor who later became my sponsor. God had it all planned out! She was my mentor first allowing me to trust, be vulnerable, and grow stronger in my faith. I drew closer to Jesus.
and I am closer to Jesus than I ever have in my whole lifetime since becoming a Christian as a teenager. And you my SRT sisters have been a great impact in my life helping me grow.  I love you all very much! And I can’t wait for the day to someday we will meet face-to-face.-
Thank you, Mari, for sharing part of your story and the power of having a mentor!
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Wow! Today’s scripture brought tears to my eyes. How dearly was Timothy loved! My heart is thankful for those who have poured into me, for I know I would not be where I am without their encouragement and community! And tears pooled also now for the ministry the Lord has allowed to happen alongside my young partner in ministry whom I love dearly. I am so thankful. Making disciples is the making of disciple makers and that will only multiply!
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That’s psalms scripture was really impactful- unity among us, it is priceless! Thankful for the mention of Godly mothers- encouraged me to do better, draw closer, and keep leading these kids towards the Jesus. I need to add a mentor to my prayer list.
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