Leadership requires a leader

The world is always looking for methods. God is always looking for a person.

As you prepare for todays devotional, this short video will help sketch a wider contemporary context to bring the truth of the Biblical example a bit closer to home (https://youtu.be/RybILYQ7DUo).

Scripture

1 Timothy 4:12-16

12  Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13  Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.  14  Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.  15  Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.  16  Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Observation and reflection questions

Context: Paul left young Timothy to oversee a large church in Ephesus.  Apparently he felt out of depth and intimidated by his youth and his big task.  In this section Paul again instructs Timothy how to reaffirm his leadership over this big church.

1. Read through the text again and phrase-by-phrase suggest synonyms for the character qualities that Paul exhorts Timothy to develop. In other words find one word that describes a person who does these things.
   1. “let no one despise you” (v12a)
   2. “example in speech, conduct, love, faith, purity” (v12b)
   3. “until I come devote yourself to…” (v13)
   4. “Do not neglect the gift you have…” (v14)
   5. “practice these things” (v15)
   6. “keep a close watch on yourself and the teaching” (v16)
   7. “persist in this” (v16)
2. Paul calls Timothy to be an example to the church in Ephesus (v12). What do you understand with his instructions
   1. “be an example in speech”
   2. “be an example in conduct”
   3. “be an example in love”
   4. “be an example in faith”
   5. “be an example in purity”
3. Notice how Paul’s instruction to Timothy starts with conviction in his heart, then his personal devotional life, then his public example, and then his leadership responsibility and influence. What does this suggest about the way to developing a godly character?

Personal relfection and application

Young Timothy was intimidated to lead such a big church in Ephesus, but Paul did not suggest methods to handle this big congregation. Rather, he challenged him to find confidence from conviction, to be an example in godliness, and remain faithful in devotion and duty.  Paul’s answer to unsure leadership was character growth – after all, Timothy’s conduct is what will be emulated.

1. How would you describe your character in 5 words? (Think of how people close to you would describe you.)
2. When you consider your public reputation vs your true character – in which areas are there discrepancies? What aspects of your character will cause shame if being exposed publically? Write down one or two aspects.
   1. Talk to a mature Christian friend about these discrepancies; confess it all to him/her and pray together about your character.
3. Look at Paul’s instruction to the young leader Timothy. How have you grown and how could you still grow in:
   1. Confidence through conviction.
   2. Example in godliness (“in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity”)
   3. Devotion, faithfulness and persistence.

Prayer

Pray about your example as a leader – your real character.   Thank God for the growth that you have enjoyed until now, and pray that God will help you grow Christlikeness.

 

 

Worship 1 – surrendering all to God

The Aim of this devotional study is to study the first mention of worship in the Bible.

Scripture

Genesis 22:1-6

1  After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”  2  He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

3  So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.

4  On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.  5  Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.”  6  And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.

Observation

Context: This is the beginning of the historic event where Abraham obeyed God and offered Isaac went to offer his son Isaac, before the Lord intervened. 

1. When someone invite you to a worship celebration, what do you expect?
2. This is the first mention of “worship” in the Bible. What other words would you use to describe Abraham’s attitudes and activities in response to God’s command?
3. Look at Abraham’s response to God’s command
   1. How soon after God commanend this big sacrifice did Abraham obey? What does that say about his devotion to God?
   2. How long did Abraham journey to obey God? What does that say about his devotion to God?
   3. What efforts did Abraham make to obey God? What does that say about his devotion to God?
4. Considering this text, what do you learn of Abraham’s worship in terms of:
   1. Surrendering all to God.
   2. Obedience to God.
   3. Faith in God.
   4. Devotion to God.

Application and Prayer

God asked Abraham for the biggest and most precious thing in life – Isaac, his son, his legacy.   And Abraham worshipped God by implicit, radical surrender and obedience.

1. What is the ONE thing in your life that – if God asks you to do or to give up – you might be tempted to say “no”?
   1. Honestly tell God how you feel about that.
   2. As Abraham, reflect on God as the “Giver of All Good Things” that gave this and can bring it back to life again.
   3. Ask God for grace to surrender even this to Him, and when you’re ready – surrender this thing to God from the heart.
2. In prayer, worship God by surrendering every aspect of your life to God, devoting your whole self in service to Him, as Paul wrote:

Romans 12:1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”