You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 2 Timothy 3:10-11 NIV
We can learn quite a bit about effective mentoring from Paul’s relationship with Timothy. Paul lived his life before this young man like an open book, allowing Timothy an inside look at the life of a dedicated believer. Of course, Timothy had heard Paul’s teaching, but Paul didn’t just tell him what to believe, he invited him to journey alongside him and share in the ministry. Paul invested so much time with Timothy that he could confidently say, you “know all about my way of life, my purpose.” Timothy had watched Paul endure angry mobs and, no doubt, marveled at Paul’s ability to love them anyway, and continue sharing the good news despite the persecution. His understanding of Christian love was solidified as he stood by and watched Paul dust off his beaten body and press on to the next city, taking every painful step with faith and determination, driven to spread the gospel message.
If I had to sum up Paul’s philosophy of discipleship in one verse it would be this:
And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 NLT
We may not share the missionary calling that God gave to Paul, but we’re all called to invest in others and mentor younger believers. Paul’s example challenges us to be transparent, to spend time with new believers and to live in such a way that when they imitate what they see in us, God will be glorified.
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:12 NASB