stephen R Harrison

(Read Philippians 2:22-23)

How’s your physical fitness?  If you’re like me, you may struggle to exercise without a support system.  I love to run, but what keeps me faithful to run is talking with other runners.  The same holds for cycling, weights, and different ways to exercise.  It’s also true of our spiritual fitness.  I need spiritual dads, brothers, and sons in the faith with whom I can grow.  

Paul didn’t have any biological sons as he was never married.  He did, however, have many spiritual sons.  He considered Timothy to be a son in the Lord.  Paul said, “Timothy has proved himself because as a son with his father, he has served with me in the work of the gospel” (v. 22).  Sending Timothy was sending Paul’s best.  Paul was not trying to convince the Philippians that Timothy would be the best choice to send to them.  He did this to remind the Philippian church of his great love and concern for them.  Paul could have sent anyone, but he desired to send them his best minister and someone he considered a son in the faith. 

We should all have a spiritual father like Paul.  We need more seasoned and mature believers from which to learn. Believers should pray and seek out a spiritual dad and mom in the faith to help them grow in their faith and God’s wisdom. We should also have spiritual sons/daughters. Paul received from the Lord and passed it on to others (1 Corinthians 15:3). Someone should be discipling us in the faith, and, at the same time, we should be discipling someone else.  This was a principle Paul lived by.  

How did Paul do to help his spiritual son in the faith grow? There are at least five ways spiritual dads help spiritual sons grow in the Lord. First, they spend time together. Acts 16 shows us that Paul intentionally chose Timothy to travel with him on his missionary journey.  Second, they spend time in the Word. Paul encouraged Timothy to continue to grow in the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:14-17).  Third, they provide accountability. Paul gave Timothy accountability by encouraging him to “watch your life and doctrine closely” (1 Timothy 4:16). Fourth, they encourage them to be spiritual fathers and make disciples.  Paul told Timothy, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). Fifth, they pray for them. Paul told Timothy, “I always remember you in my prayers” (2 Timothy 1:2).  Spiritual dads need spiritual sons, and spiritual sons need spiritual dads!

Questions for the Head (Think)

• Who is your spiritual dad?  Who is your spiritual son?

Reflection for the Heart (Worship)

• As you worship, thank God for the spiritual dads/moms you’ve had in the faith.  Ask God who you can be a spiritual dad/mom to.

Action for the Hands (Do)

• Ask a more mature believer to lunch to learn from them spiritually.  Ask a new Christian to lunch and seek to help them grow in Christ.