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What do Jesus, Batman, and peanut butter all have in common? Sidekicks. Jesus has the 12 apostles, Batman has Robin, and peanut butter has jelly. These tandems create dynamic teams. Think of it this way: Timothy would have don a fine job preaching and teaching in Acts 16 but Paul heard about him and took it upon himself to befriend him. Paul taught Timothy how to evangelize, teach, and preach. The point is great things happen when a man or woman of faith seeks to help out a younger, more immature person in the faith.
I want to challenge us all to find a sidekick like Paul found in Timothy, his “son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). In Acts 16 Paul came preaching the Word in Derbe and Lystra and heard about a young man named Timothy who was “well spoken of by the brother in Lystra and Iconium” (Acts 16:2). Paul could have chalked Timothy’s reputation up as simple encouragement that another young man is attempting to live faithfully to God. But he took it one step further: “Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him” (Acts 16:3). Paul wanted to mentor a young man in the faith. The church needs older, more mature Christians today who are willing to become mentors to younger, more immature Christians. I guarantee it will not always be easy, but I am convinced it will be eternally rewarding!
Paul and Timothy had ups and downs. They taught successfully in certain places (Acts 16:4-5) but were denied access to others (Acts 16:6-7). As you seek to mentor a younger brother or sister in the faith there will inevitably be ups and downs, successes and failures. Remember Paul’s example. He continually sought to mentor Timothy and established a mentorship/sonship that probably lasted throughout their lifetimes. If you are willing to devote time, prayer, and energy into mentoring some young soul, you could establish a fruitful relationship that lasts for a lifetime and into eternity.
Austin Johnson
Calvert City Church of Christ
Calvert City, KY