Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. Acts 16:1-3

Jesus’ “Great Commission” was that Christians be about the work of “making disciples.” Though this task is done in a general sense through the ministry to congregations of people, making disciples is also a very personal ministry, either in one-on-one or small group relationships.

Besides preaching to crowds, Jesus discipled the twelve. He focused even more pointedly on Peter, James, and John. Likewise, Paul went about preaching and planting churches, but he also had a special relationship with young Timothy.

It is a common desire in many to have special relationships with one, or a few people in whom we invest ourselves more pointedly. For what purposes? First, simply to encourage spiritual growth in a more personal and deliberate way. Second, those in ministry generally want to mentor those to whom they may pass the baton at an appropriate time.

Timothy was one of those in Paul’s life and ministry. Paul even wrote to Timothy years later about this vision for discipleship:

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

We’ll consider that verse about this pattern of discipleship and a little more next time, but for now, are you being discipled? Do you want to be? Are you seeking to disciple others?