Acts 16:1-5 

¹ 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. ² The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. ³ Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴ As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. ⁵ So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

I Want to Be…

“What do you want to become one day?” one teacher ask her pupils.

“I want to be a doctor!” “I want to be a pilot!” I want to be an engineer!” I will be the president!” I want to go around the world!” “I want to have a car!”

How do children get their inspiration to dream of becoming somebody some day? When you dreamed of becoming somebody someday, how did you come up of the idea like to be doctor, pilot, engineer, businessman, teacher, president, etc.? Have you ever heard a child wished to be a gangster, kidnapper, or terrorists?

Parents try to influence their children’s dream. Similarly, matured Christians are to challenge those who are still new in their faith to look forward onto how they would like to become as they mature spiritually.

The Lord Jesus mandated us in Matthew 28:19,  ¹⁹… go and make disciples…

Many of us are scared, frustrated, or not so excited about making disciples, why? How many of us are excited to disciple? What’s the benefit of having disciples?

The instruction to make disciple comes from the Lord; the natural tendency of the human mind is to rebel or reject things that come from God. It’s by God’s grace through the Holy Spirit that one is excited in making disciples.

If we are to gauge ourselves, where can we find our obedience in discipleship? Are we struggling to obey the mandate to make disciple? Are we getting training on how to disciple? Are we discipling somebody at present?

We might be active in the ministry but not discipling anybody; Paul planted churches, preached the gospel but he has chosen Timothy to be his disciple. Paul has prepared; he helped Timothy to expect for possible problems.

1.  Expect

¹ 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. ² The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. ³ Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Paul expected that there will be Jewish people who would try to discredit the qualification of Timothy as member of his missionary team; the circumcision group were very particular about circumcision. Timothy has Jewish blood. So, to avoid unnecessary argument with those people, Paul circumcised Timothy.

It was not to save Timothy but to pre-empt possible problems from the Jews living in the area who might try to belittle him or make fun of him.

There are lots of things to be expected when we go to missions: religion, language, culture, ethics, gestures, or food.

Chinese Snack

One of my students called, “Do you like Chinese snack? I will bring some!”

My wife was the one who answered the phone hesitated a bit but finally she said, “Yes, please! My husband would love it!”

Actually, she hesitated about the Chinese snack because she heard it “Chinese snake” when the student said Chinese snack.

Anyway, does it matter to our mission contacts if we eat their food, speak their language, participate in their culture, or respect their religious practices?

There are many practical preparations that needed to be addressed when we share the gospel to others, not just in the international missions but also in local outreach.

Paul circumcised Timothy because he expected that it will be an issue among Jews. As Paul discipled Timothy, he helped him expect things—religious, cultural. As they went along, Paul exposed Timothy in the actual ministry activities.

2.  Expose

⁴ As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. ⁵ So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Paul’s mission team informed the churches they planted previously about the decision of the apostles and elders in Jerusalem regarding circumcision. The churches were encouraged and more people added to their number. The issue of circumcision was never mentioned again; it did not create confusion.

It was not clear how Paul involved Timothy but for sure, Timothy was exposed to Paul’s ministry when Paul tagged him along with him. Timothy would have learned much and experienced the excitement in the ministry as he observed Paul and Silas ministered to the believers.

Exposure in the ministry helps one to be encouraged and to understand more clearly that life in the ministry is truly exciting; there’s joy in obeying the Lord.

Elisha

The Lord came to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:16, ⁶ … anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 

1 Kings 19:19-21, ¹⁹ 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 goodbye,” 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 servant.

Disciples that God has prepared for us have the willingness to follow and obey us. God has given them excitement and willingness to commit their life to God. Elisha burned his plowing equipment, he cooked his oxen, and he destroyed all means for livelihood which showed and proved of no more intentions to turn his back.

Paul took Timothy with him and Timothy joined Paul wherever he went. Timothy obeyed Paul wherever Paul sent him or wanted him to do.

The 12 disciples left everything when they followed the Lord Jesus. Peter said in Matthew 10:28…  ²⁸Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!”

We can be involved in the ministry God wants us to be involved with, but the Lord commanded us to go and make disciples; He has already prepared for us the disciple He wants us to help expect things or expose in the ministry.

Keep praying that God reveals to you very clearly the disciple He has prepared especially and particularly for you. When you approach somebody and do not listen to you, don’t be frustrated. That person may not be for you to disciple or it’s not the right timing yet.

Disciples that God has prepared only for you would have high regard and respect for you and what you do in the ministry; they are willing to be exposed in the ministry, that’s for sure.

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