let's turn to where we left off last week—1Kings 19.
He thought he was alone, but God showed him he was wrong. God had other people through whom he would work to accomplish his plan. This is why one of the things God told Elijah to do after this was to anoint Elisha as his successor ( read 1 Kings 19:16, “...anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.”
19-21 - “So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you."
"Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?"
21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.”
Now let’s fast-forward about 10 years to 2Kings2, which records Elijah's last day on earth. It is a poignant narrative, and it contains an important lesson for us—read 2:1-6.
“When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel."
But Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.
3 The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?"
"Yes, I know," Elisha replied, "but do not speak of it."
4 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho.
5 The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, "Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?"
"Yes, I know," he replied, "but do not speak of it."
6 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two of them walked on.”
Investing in other’s spiritual development
We learn from this narrative that Elijah’s role in God’s service was not exclusively dramatic. Yes, the dramatic events were a key part of his role—but he had another role that, although not dramatic, was just as important. As this passage traces Elijah's final journey through Gilgal, Bethel and Jericho, it becomes clear that Elijah has invested long and deeply in the lives of certain individuals so that they may play their roles in God’s service after Elijah is gone.
Notice the priority he places on visiting different “groups of prophets” (2:3,5,7). These were younger people (lit. “sons”)
being developed by Elijah and other prophets (e.g. Micaiah) to learn the scriptures, and provide spiritual leadership for Israel in the midst of Ahab and Ahaziah's apostasy. He probably wanted to encourage them one last time.
Even more so, notice the friendship bond that Elijah and Elisha share. They had spent ten years together, and this last day is tearing both of them apart. Elijah wants to spare Elisha the pain of his departure. Elisha refuses to leave Elijah even though he knows he must depart, but he won't talk about this to the groups of prophets—probably because it is too painful for him (more on that next week)
This is part of a larger biblical pattern in which followers of God get personally and intentionally involved with other followers of Christ to help them fulfill God’s purpose for their lives.
This is necessary for our spiritual development.
Just as we discussed last week the importance of being a part of community - connected w/ other Christ followers - now let’s take that a step further.
For us to grow in our walk w/ Christ each of us need 3 different individuals in our lives:
A Paul
A Barnabas
A Timothy
PAUL, this is a “mentor-protégé” relationship—one is (usually) chronologically older and (always) much more spiritually mature than the other. In the context of a close love relationship, the older one trains the younger one to carry on after he is gone (e.g. MOSES & JOSHUA; ELIJAH & ELISHA; JESUS & 12; PAUL & TIMOTHY). We learn from this pattern that spiritual leaders are responsible not only to serve publicly through teaching and preaching, but also to privately develop more godly leaders who can repeat this pattern with others. (Titus 1&2)
I have a few PAUL’S in my life - men and women who have been-there-done that. More experienced, more mature in Christ who lead us upward, towards God’s purpose in our lives.
They not only train us but provide great perception - to help us see through or get past problems in life.
(story of felling down... met w/ mentor)
(1 Samuel 3)
Can you name a PAUL or 2 in your life?
(if so, write it down, if not begin to pray today) it may be parent...
But the “mentor-protégé” relationship is not the only biblical way of helping people toward spiritual development.
That’s where BARNABAS comes in...
We also see examples of intentional peer friendships that pursue this godly goal (read Prov.27:17; DAVID & JONATHAN; PAUL & BARNABAS). Paul’s vision of the church is highly relational and highly intentional communities (house churches) in which the members help one another to become spiritually mature servants (Eph.4:15,16).
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
This was mainly how Cathleen and I developed into leaders.
Each of us had input from more mature leaders who occasionally would pour into our lives. Sometimes in a one on one setting, sometimes in a group setting.
But most of our development as leaders came as we learned together and challenged one another and served together as peers—with occasional input from much more experienced Christians.
You see we need both - we need people pouring their knowledge, their experiences into us and we need others side-by-side, peers, who will challenge us to keep going, move ahead, go further than we think we can go. You’re buds, w/ similar goals of going after God and serving Him. Who’s your BARNABAS?
Ahhh but there’s more...
We each need a TIMOTHY in our lives...
the discipleship relationship
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (read 2 Tim.2:2).
This is someone you are pouring into - your life, your experiences, the ups and downs and how you and God made it through - encouraging them in whatever they are facing in the here-and-now.
It could be your children, it should be your children... finding creative ways to teach God’s truths. It could be a niece or nephew, hey it could be a younger brother or sister, or maybe a co-worker, or a friend - however it plays it out... are you pouring yourself into someone else?
This is a big part of my role, w. my girls and beyond that. You see me as a public leader and teacher, and this is a key part of my spiritual service. But I also need to spend time w/ others privately, one on one or in a small group setting to help them become and improve as spiritual leaders. It would be very short-sighted of me to neglect this private work for more public ministry. Each of us need this in our lives.
This is a key role of community group leaders. Or any who are considered ‘lay pastors’ that help in the ministry of the church. According to the Bible, spiritual transformation (real, deep-seated and lasting change) requires more than larger meetings like this. It happens in the context of community—that’s why we emphasize small groups. Everyone who wants spiritual transformation should have the opportunity to be in a home group.
Where will these future leaders come from? They won’t appear from nowhere—they must be developed by the existing leaders in this personal and private and intentional way. So having home group leaders who will take this principle seriously may be the greatest strength of our church!
Who is your TIMOTHY? Who are you pouring into? pouring God’s truth into?
This principle, then, is a watershed issue in the health of a church. When churches emphasize and practice these
principles, they become like a HEALTHY GROWING
EXTENDED FAMILY. The parents help their children mature. The older siblings help their younger siblings develop. The children grow up to have their own families, where the same personal development happens—and the result is a healthy extended family. But when churches ignore this principle, they become dysfunctional—like PERPETUAL DAY-CARE CENTERS. A few professional care-givers (the pastors) get worn out doing public ministry, while the children (the church members) remain in a state of arrested development.
What about you? Are you committed to this principle like Elijah was? Even if you are a comparatively young Christian, you can do this. You don’t have to wait until you’re a veteran “mentor.” You don’t have to be a Bible scholar. You don’t have to have a problem-free character. You just need to be serious about following Christ, get involved in a few others’ lives and let them get involved in yours, share what you’re learning, and help one another serve others. You can do this! And it will be a huge part of your spiritual legacy!
God has so much for you - bigger and better things in life. God has not called us to just sit on our hands, or be happy w/ the status quo - He has more! and as we saw in Elijah today we too need to implement this element into our own lives. For our spiritual dev. we all need 3 diff. ind. in our lives. Paul - Barnabas - Timothy
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