How do I disciple?
In our final week of the discipleship series, we found a model of discipleship presented by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:10. During a time of immense persecution and his own imprisonment, Paul reached out to his dear friend and “son” (2 Timothy 2:1) out of his loneliness and to encourage him during Timothy’s own ministry to the Ephesian church.
How do we disciple?
Paul begins this part of the letter to Timothy by instructing him to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus,” particularly at this time of immense physical, spiritual and emotional oppression. In his encouragement, Paul shared a model of discipleship that’s based on a two prong approach: (1) to receive the Gospel as affirmed by many witnesses, and (2) to share the Gospel to faithful men and women. This model is what ensured the Gospel was shared and passed on like an unbroken chain, connecting the very first disciple, Jesus Christ, to every disciple thereafter (like you). Paul then shares three metaphors of how we are to disciple:
the soldier (verse 3-4) who isn’t distracted from the task at hand i.e., ministry;
the athlete (verse 5) who is dedicated to training and is willing to follow the rules; and
the farmer (verses 6-7) who only after working hard can enjoy the fruit of his work.
These three portraits all paint a picture of hard working, dedicated and committed disciples who all strive towards something. The farmer strives for a bountiful harvest. The soldier strive for the final victor. The athlete strive for gold. But when we disciple, for what do we strive?
We disciple for Jesus Christ
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. (verses 8-10)
Paul is book ending his encouragement by mentally pointing Timothy back to the crux of his message. The word ‘remember’ translates to ‘enduringly remember’ as in “constantly think of the ever present, ever alive Lord.” Paul also reminds us that Jesus was human (“the seed of David,”) and the perfect example of a disciple. Paul is saying to Timothy that Jesus is why Paul is willing to suffer unjust trouble, because unlike him, “word of God is not chained.” And so because of that, he continues in his ministry to ensure all have the opportunity to hear the Gospel. We are encouraged by Paul’s words.
Call to disciple
God’s word needs to be shared and is worth sharing so that all people have the opportunity to hear the Gospel message. But we know we can’t do it alone. The modern Christian’s temptation is to be the distracted soldier, the rebellious athlete and the lazy farmer. But as Paul mentioned, we are “strengthened in the grace in Christ Jesus,.” Christ is grace manifest. He was the perfect disciple and perfect example of the soldier, athlete and farmer that Paul describes in this passage. We are encouraged to rely not on our own strength but in the strength that is found in grace.
So as Jesus did, may we be a church full of disciples, not just church goers. The command to disciple - to hear and share the Gospel to faithful believers - is ours to do, so that the living chain linking us to Jesus, Paul, and Timothy can remain unbroken.