Bible Passage: “Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)
Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 4:11-16
Here’s something I’ve found true of everyone who makes disciples:
They’re disciples themselves.
We reproduce who we are. We can’t expect others to become what we’re not ourselves.
This means the place to start is always with ourselves.
That’s what Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16. Timothy was a church leader. Paul told him to pay attention to two things:
- His life (his own personal godliness).
- His teaching (what he believed and taught others to believe).
If he did these two things, Timothy would benefit, and so would those who followed his leadership.
You may or may not be a church leader, but the same applies to you.
Pay attention to your life. Nobody’s perfect, but all of us can grow in our godliness.
Spend time with the Lord in prayer. Show up intentionally on Sundays. Worship. Build relationships that encourage and challenge you. Ask others to help you grow. Fight temptation. Delight in Jesus. Become a godly man.
Watch your life.
Pay attention to what you believe as well. Study the Bible. Read good Christian books. Find good Christian podcasts. Actively listen to good sermons. Become a student of all that God has revealed.
Determine that you won’t be passive in your walk with God. Then, as you grow, you’ll be able to invite others to join you.
If you want to make disciples, the place to start is by becoming a disciple yourself. It’s a lifelong adventure.
Not only will it change your life, but it will lay a foundation for discipling other men, too.
Prayer: Lord, help me grow in my walk with You, not only for my own good, but also so I can invite others to join me. Amen.
Reflection: What can you learn from the lifestyle of godly men who have influenced you?
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