Discipleship
1-2-3 …
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And what you heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.
2 Timothy 2:2 (NET)
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Four.
That’s how many generations of souls are mentioned in this verse.
Paul to Timothy to faithful people to others.
I think Paul says this because he’s concerned about Timothy raising up people who make disciples, not just raising up people who are disciples.
There’s a danger of failing to raise up disciple-makers.
That the message of the Gospel would get lost, forgotten by the people who heard but didn’t pass it along. No one is physically immortal, and so the only way that the Church can grow is for us to pass the message along.
And, teaching those to know how to pass it along to others as well.
But what do we pass along?
The things they hear and see in front of many witnesses.
That is, what God has to teach us about living a life that pleases God and watching the example set by those who live such a life.
I’ve been guilty of doing well at teaching but neglecting to share my life. Which is one of the reasons I dig into 1 Thessalonians 2:8 so much. I have much still to learn about sharing my life.
But anyway, the goal is to keep raising up generations of disciple-makers, by teaching them and setting the example.
A lofty goal, but achievable with the help of the Holy Spirit.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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