If I were Timothy #6: what it takes to be a role model

Who Was Timothy?

Timothy is a Greek name which means ‘honouring God’ or ‘honoured by God’.

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek.  Acts 16:1

After Paul had visited Lystra, Timothy became his companion and co-worker along with Silas. Timothy then travelled around with Paul, who became his mentor. Paul trusted him to carry out important work.

But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. Philippians 2:22

If I were Timothy, I would be blown away to receive this letter from Paul. After all, I’d been at his side as he’d written the letters to Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians. But these letters were addressed to groups of believers and not an individual like myself. I’d be even more amazed to discover that two letters addressed to me would end up in this collection of books people would come to know as the Bible!

Yes, Paul and I were close. He was like a father to me. But I didn’t do anything anyone else wouldn’t do. I served God in the best way I could. That’s it. It wasn’t easy at times, but I looked to Paul for guidance and support – and what a man Paul is!

Passage From The Letter

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgement as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:1-13

If I were Timothy, this is how I would reply to this section of the the letter…

Oh Paul, if only you knew what a tough issue you’ve touched on here. Well, I guess you do in a way, otherwise you wouldn’t have written these instructions in such a clear way! I look forward to passing them on to the leaders here and discussing them with them. I’ll let you know how that goes.

As the number of believers keeps growing, the more leaders we need. And the more leaders we have, the more issues there are! People are flattered to be asked to stand as a leader in our fellowship and some even put themselves forward. Some like all the glory and power, but not so much the responsibilities the role comes with.

The original elders talk about that time you sent for them to come meet with you in Miletus and urged them to be good shepherds of the flock here in Ephesus. It’s so easy to lose sight of what that means in practice though. It’s not about lording it over everyone and demanding respect, is it? It’s about living a life worthy of respect. There’s a big difference.

How can you expect respect when your personal life is a shambles? When even your own family take no notice of what you say? To be honest, if I listed all the requirements you set out here as obligatory, I’m not sure I’d have any overseers and deacons left!

I don’t think people realise what a huge responsibility and honour it is to be a role model to all these new believers. And how damaging it is then to be a bad role model.

Just imagine if every follower of the Way aspired to this standard of living as a follower of Christ. It would solve a lot of problems in our community right there! If every believer could hold onto the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience, living a life that demonstrated faithfulness and self control and respect for others, how different life would be!

And by including the women here, you show that this standard of behaviour is not just for the leaders, it’s for all believers. Every single one of us, including me, has a responsibility and privilege to live as a role model for others. You’ve always been comfortable with telling others to imitate you, because you know with a clear conscience that you are living that life worthy of respect that you talk about.

Could any of these leaders say ‘Imitate me’ with such confidence?

Could I for that matter?

Is anyone here ready to take on that challenge?