Thank you for visiting. We trust that you have enjoyed reading our articles.
A Spiritual Health Check-Up - How is Your Discipleship?
“The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2 NIV).
Our health is very important to us. Many of us try to watch what we eat and try to exercise. We go to the doctor each year for a flu shot and an annual check-up. There has been an increased awareness in recent years regarding the need for mental health awareness. Our mental health is related to our physical health. I wonder if we give our spiritual health the same attention as we do our physical and mental health? I see our overall health as a three-legged stool: mental, physical, and spiritual, and they are all equally important and equally dependent on each other.
For many of us, when we think of our spiritual health, we think of prayer, service, witness, tithes, worship, and Scripture. These are all good things, but hopefully, they are all equipping you as a disciple. If you claim to be a Christian and are not engaged in discipleship, your faith is lukewarm (Revelation 3:16).
A Christian is a disciple of Jesus and is committed to bringing others to Jesus. To do so, we must be in a community with others. This sense of community not only brings others to Christ but strengthens our discipleship and our spiritual health.
Paul was an author of many of the books of the New Testament. He was a mature Christian that was dedicated to raising up Christian disciples and leaders in the new Church. Timothy traveled with Paul and was mentored by him.
It is important for us all to have a “Paul” and a “Timothy” in our life. A “Paul” is typically an older mentor, has been a Christian longer than you, and helps you to grow spiritually. A “Timothy” is somebody who hasn’t been a Christian as long as you, and you are helping to disciple and encourage them. I am a “Paul” and “Timothy” for some men, and some men serve these roles for me. These roles not only help my personal discipleship but also honor God by growing His kingdom. Also, having these people in my life builds up my support team and helps my spiritual health. Ecclesiastes 4:12 teaches us, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul writes to Timothy: “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” We see God’s plan for discipleship in this verse. Paul wants Timothy to find somebody to mentor. If Christian leaders don’t raise up new Christian leaders, then who will? Who will help us with our spiritual health? Who will help mentor and encourage the next generation of disciples? Find a Paul and a Timothy and be a Paul and a Timothy. Be blessed as you are a blessing to others.
Prayer: Dear God: We thank you for those that have walked before us such as Paul and Timothy. Thank you for the peace that we have through the Bible. Help us dear God to both find and be a Timothy and Paul.
Meet the Author
Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
We welcome your comments below.
Liked this post?
Read more below or search for more topics...
-
Thanksgiving Is Not Just For November
Thanksgiving Is Not Just For November "Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 GW). I love Thanksgiving! It is a fun time of year to get together with family, eat some great home cooked meals, and watch football. Thanksgiving is a time for us to reflect on the past year and identify things which we are thankful. In some families, they go around the table and each person states one or two things for which they are thankful. God has blessed us with many emotions with which we can express ourselves. ... -
The Importance of Christian Study
The Importance of Christian Study "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV). For many of us the thought of studying brings back memories of cramming for exams in high school or college. Many men would rather engage in Christian action rather than Christian study. Through action we can see the fruits of our labor and be the Body of Christ in our neighborhood and beyond. Our goal as Christians should be to develop an intimate relationship with God. There are many paths in which God can reveal Himself to us: prayer,... -
My Dream That Carried A Message From God
My Dream That Carried A Message From God "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams" (Acts 2:17 NIV). I have lived 47 years and never felt that I had received a message from God. I envied the people in the Bible that spoke to God either in person, through dreams or angels. I had decided that I was only going to hear God’s word through Godly friends, church, small groups, and reading the Bible. I longed to...