By Missionary to Bolivia, Kevin White

Our Struggle

In verse one though, Paul tells us to “be strong”, which is probably one of the keys steps to being prepared to disciple others. This is because it can be one of the most challenging things that we do in the ministry. At the end of the process we can rejoice in what the Lord has done in their lives and we can say it is all worth it, but getting there is the difficult part. You have people who fail you, who don’t seem to be really interested and even those who you have invested your life in, and they turn their back on you. Now don’t get me wrong. I am not trying to discourage you, but prepare you for the things you will face while discipling others. I think this is exactly what Paul was doing when he wrote Timothy about being strong, right before commanding him to disciple others.

Our Strength

When we think about being strong, several things might come to mind. Some might think that they are strong enough and that it is no big deal. Others might think, “well I am not that strong of a person so I don’t think I can disciple”. The neat thing about Paul’s command to be strong is that he tells us exactly where our true strength comes from. He says, “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus”. The use of the word grace would automatically tell us that it is something that is beyond our capability because the very definition of grace is, God enabling us to do something that we would normally not be able to do. So it is only in the Lord that we find this strength that we need to be able to make disciples.

Our Stability

The result of finding our strength in the Lord is “stability” to continue on in the ministry training disciples. Too many people start out with a desire to disciple others and they get discouraged and either give up or start focusing on something else instead. The verses that follow in this passage, verses 3-6, give three examples of the results of doing the work of the Lord in the Lord’s strength. We can see how the results are that we will be able to Endure, Strive, and Labor in this process.

First off, it says that we should endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. When someone is training to be a soldier, they are put through a set of rigorous tasks that push them to their limit

and make them tough enough to endure the battles that they will face. The same way, the strength that the Lord gives us will allow us to face the battles while working with others.

The second example is that of an athlete. An athlete must strive, or train for hours at a time to be ready to not only compete but win in the race. Likewise, with the Lord’s help we will be able to spend the long hours necessary while helping others in their spiritual lives.

The third example is that of a farmer who works in the fields for long hours. I had the experience, when I was young, of working for some family friends, on their farm, to make some extra money. I was able to learn what it truly means to work hard for the long hours in the hot sun, digging in the dirt. The same way, working in the lives of others is hard work, with long hours and many times getting your hands dirty. The interesting thing about this last illustration is that it ends with enjoying the harvest. Like I said at the beginning, working with others can be frustrating and difficult but when the harvest comes we can say that it was truly worth it.

Conclusion:

Through the years, here on the mission field we have had many frustrating times when it seemed like we were taking one step forward and two steps back. We have also had moments of heartbreak when we have invested years in the lives of some only to have them fall by the wayside. In spite of this, I can say that there has been no more rewarding thing in our lives than to see people grow in the Lord and to see people become mature Christians that began to try and reach and disciple others. In our newest church, we started in a small storefront that we rented from a family that lives close by. When we explained to them that we wanted to start a church we also invited them to attend. Although they had been Catholic all of their lives they began to attend. At about the third week, the owners wife came to one of our service and got saved. From that time on, during the message, she would just sit in awe of what she was learning and one day shortly after, she came to me and said, “I think I am going to start bringing a notebook to the service so I can write down all the new things that I am learning”. It has been a great joy to see her grow and get more involved in the church. This is only one example of many that I could give to tell you that although it is tough, at times frustrating and very tiring, I can say when the harvest comes in, it is all worth it.