We are continuing to look at my friend Ray Bandi’s pattern for disciple-making through intentional relationships.
- Love
- Pray
- Model
- Teach
- Repeat
Today, we’re thinking about Model. Ray writes:
Disciple-makers also model our Christian lives for our disciples. Let’s picture that. 2 Timothy 3.10 – 11 is a great example of what that looks like. Paul told Timothy, “…you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings…” I like this because it reminds us that disciple-making is not just about giving someone our teaching. Instead, it’s about giving someone our whole life. You see, in addition to Paul’s teaching, Paul modeled eight other things for Timothy: Conduct, Purpose, Faith, Patience, Love, Perseverance, Persecution, Suffering. When Timothy read those words from Paul, each of those words created a picture of an experience that Timothy had with Paul. At one time or another, Paul lived those words with Timothy. Basically, that’s what modeling is. It’s spending time with our disciples in lots of ways, so that our disciples can see our words in action. – Ray Bandi, emphases his
When I read 2 Timothy 3.10, 11, I see an order:
- Teaching, conduct (some translations say, “manner of life“), purpose: these would be the foundations of Paul’s life.
- Faith, patience, love, perseverance: these are some of the fruit of the spirit (compare Galatians 5.22, 23), and if someone doesn’t know my foundational values, they may not understand how the fruit of the Spirit or other behaviors work out in my life.
- Persecution, suffering: when Timothy experienced those with Paul, they were out in the world doing ministry together.
As Ray says, we’re modeling life in the midst of many different circumstances.
He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach. (Mark 3.14, NIV, emphasis mine)
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. (Philippians 4.9, NIV)
But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. (2 Timothy 3.10, 11, NLT)