Daily Devotional
"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."
2 Timothy 2:2
The sermon highlighted a beautiful discipleship chain: Jesus entrusted Paul, Paul entrusted Titus, Titus entrusted the elders, and the elders entrust us to carry out the work. This pattern reveals God’s method for advancing His kingdom – through faithful people investing in other faithful people who will invest in others.
This chain reminds us that we’re not just consumers of spiritual leadership but participants in God’s mission. The pastors and elders who invest in us should see fruit in our own spiritual growth and ministry to others. We honor their leadership not just by learning from them but by living out what we learn and passing it on to others.
Every believer is both a disciple and a discipler. Even if you don’t hold formal church leadership, you have opportunities to encourage, mentor, and serve others. The character qualities required of elders – being above reproach, self-controlled, hospitable, and grounded in Scripture – are qualities every believer should pursue as they influence others for Christ.
Today's Challenge
Who has invested spiritually in your life, and how can you honor that investment? Who might God be calling you to invest in or encourage in their faith journey? How can you live in a way that brings joy to the spiritual leaders who have poured into you?
Prayer
Father, thank You for the privilege of being part of Your discipleship chain. Help me to honor those who have invested in my spiritual growth by living faithfully and investing in others. Show me who You want me to encourage, serve, or mentor. Give me a heart that supports the ministry of my spiritual leaders by being a faithful recipient of their investment and a faithful investor in others. Use me to advance Your kingdom through the relationships You've given me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
