Mentoring and Discovering Gifts 1st Timothy 4:14-16.

Mentoring and Discovering Gifts

1st Timothy 4:14-16


Two Scholars Disputing - Rembrandt

- Presumed to be Peter and Paul.

- Contentious relationship

- Council of Jerusalemdemonstrated a mutual respect.


Mentoring (Discipleship) is a process for the informal transmission of 1) knowledge, 2) social capital, and 3) the psychosocial support perceived by the recipient as relevant to work, career, or professional development.

The purpose of mentoring is to bridge the gap between the leaders of today and tomorrow. You will and should be replaceable; the question is when.

Dangerous Mindset: “I’m Irreplaceable.” - Even Jesus was “replaced” by his disciples.


Mentoring entails informal communication, usually face-to-face and during a sustained period of time, between a person who is perceived to have greater relevant knowledge, wisdom, or experience (the mentor) and a person who is perceived to have less (the protégé).

- Based on Ethos (credibility).


The people we mentor are not our disciples, but God’s. Mentoring is done with the purpose of molding the protégé in the image and purpose of Christ.

“Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” – 1st Timothy 4:14 (KJV)

- Mentor’s 1st responsibility is to help protégé discover gift.


Timothy’s Gift - “leadership with a special emphasis on preaching”

(MacArthur)

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” – 2ND Timothy 4:2 (KJV)

- Identified by revelation (1st Timothy 1:8) - Confirmed during 2nd Paul’s 2nd missionary journey. (opportunity to develop gift)


OpportunitiesOpportunities:

“The one “don’t: Don’t give new people major assignments for doing so only compounds the risks. Give this sort of assignment to someone of whose behavior and habits you know and who has earned trust and credibility within your organization. Put a high level newcomer first into an established position where the expectations are known and help is available.” – Peter F. Drucker, Frontiers of Management


“Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands with the laying on of the hands of the presbyteryof the presbytery.” – 1st Timothy 4:14 (KJV)

Debate: Ministerial Ordination vs. Impartation of Holy Ghost

- Presbytery = eldership, ministry

- Laid hands on people to receive the Holy Ghost


Upon receiving the Holy Ghost, we also receive a “gifting.”

“…and gave gifts unto men.” Ephesians 4:8

“And he gave some, apostlesapostles; and some, prophetsprophets; and some, evangelistsevangelists; and some, pastorspastors and teachersteachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV) - Denotes the tenor of the ministries, not the office.


This gifting further matures & manifests into a Gift of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12).


“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” – 1st Timothy 4:15 (KJV)

“Meditate upon these things - Upon the train of events by which you have been led into the ministry, and upon the responsibilities and duties of the office. Let your mind be deeply impressed with these things; make them the subject of profound and serious thought.” – Albert Barnes’ Notes


“Revolve them frequently in thy mind; consider deeply their nature and importance; get them deeply fastened in thy heart, and let all thy conduct flow from this inward feeling and conviction. Let the nature, reasons, and motives of thy ministry, be ever in the view of thy heart and conscience.” – Adam Clarke’s Commentary

“Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.” – 1st Samuel 15:1 (KJV)


“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profitingprofiting may appear to all.” – 1st Timothy 4:15 (KJV)

Profiting – progress, advancement (Thayer’s) - Military reference:

- Advancing force, as well as under another’s authority for accountability.


“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)

- Relative to the nature of the relationship between the mentor and protégé, which will affect how the protégé will treat people when in leadership.

Three Aspects of the Mentor/Protégé Relationship: 1) Interaction 2) Instruction 3) Infraction


1) Interaction (“be kind to one another”)

“Treat a man as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he could be, and he will become what he should be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

- This interaction builds or destroys a relationship. - Although the mentor is hypothetically in a greater

position, the mentor should treat his/her protégé as an equal. - Be conscious of time, position, family, experience, etc…


2) Instruction (“tenderhearted”)

When a person subjects themselves for instruction and mentoring, be mindful of the protégé’s vulnerability. - Model appropriate behavior and performance expectations. Let the protégé be part of the process. - 3 Parts: Instruction w/Checking for Understanding, Guided Practice, & Independent Practice - Instruction w/o practice (opportunity) is a Lecture - Investment of Time


2) Instruction (“tenderhearted”)

- Criticize privately, praise publically (“Sandwich” Method)

- Constructive Criticism is:a) an Acquired Skill b) Oxymoron (2 contradictory ideas)

- Based on observation and experience. - Create goals and benchmarks to show progress.

“A soldier has a right to competent command…” – Peter. F. Drucker


3) Infraction (“forgiving one another”)

- In business you will offend; intentionally or accidentally. - Forgiveness must be initiated by the mentor.

“Forgive many things in others; nothing in yourself.” – Ausonius (poet and teacher)


3) Infraction (“forgiving one another”)

- Forgiveness includes repentance (acknowledgement), but produces transparency & credibility.

- Forgiveness does not include justification.

Worst Thing to Say: “I’m sorry.”

Best Thing to Say: “I’m sorry because…”


“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” – 1st Timothy 4:16 (KJV)

“Take head” - Spiritual Condition - Credibility & Testimony (Ethos) - Level of the Word

“Unto the Doctrine” = Weight of Truth

- Are you capable of carrying the doctrine? (Guilty?)


“…for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” – 1st Timothy 4:16 (KJV)

Protégés will repeat the behaviors of the mentor which in turn will be repeated towards those they serve; for good or for evil.


“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” – 1st Peter 5:2-4 (KJV)

- Considered a Pastor’s (or Mentor’s) Crown

Mentoring and Discovering Gifts 1st Timothy 4:14-16.

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