Not So Much Advice As A Charge

Not So Much Advice As A Charge.mp3
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This week we were blessed to have Lorne Meisner from the Baptist General Conference sharing with us. As the district coach, the Pastor to Pastors as it were, Lorne oversees the health and effectiveness of of BGC Pastors and their ministries. On this, the occasion of Pastor Brennan’s commissioning, Lorne took to the pulpit to share a charge, not just advice. Yet that charge was not limited in applicability to just Pastor Brennan.

Let’s walk through Lorne’s message together, assuming the role, becoming the subject, personally owning the charge.

• Begin by reading 2 Timothy 4:1-8 together.
• Verse 1: Clearly Paul does not charge Timothy (or us) on his own authority. Just as when someone is sworn into the witness booth in a court of law, they appeal to a higher authority than their own, so does Paul. What is the authority he appeals to? Hint: there seems to be 4 elements to it. Talk about the significance or strength of each of these elements. What would be weaker about Paul’s charge if any one of these were missing?
• Verse 2: What does Paul charge Timothy (and us) to do? When does he charge us to do it? In what manner are we supposed to do it? Why?
• More personally... do you do this? When? Why or why not? In what “season” do you struggle to do this?
• Paul encourages Timothy, and us by extension, to reprove, rebuke, and exhort…. With complete patience. How do you prepare yourself to give in each of these areas? Have you ever been on the taking end of these? How do you handle it when you’ve been justly reproved, rebuked, or exhorted?
• Verses 3-4: Paul gives the reason that we will need to be ready to take up his charge. What does he say people will do in the future. Who will they bring around themselves?
• Think about the previous question. How have you seen or experienced this?
• Now be honest, what part of the Bible would you love to have softened or made more palatable? Why do you find this particular area is so challenging? Do you think it would be more helpful to listen to teachers / preachers who water this down to make it more digestible, or to wrestle through the difficult but freeing truth?
• Verse 5: Lorne gave each of us the clear charge of evangelism. He acknowledged that even if one does not have the spiritual gift of evangelism they are not exempt from Paul’s charge. How do you feel about this? Talk about your last clearly evangelistic opportunity. If you can not remember one, or there are not in recent experience, how do you feel about that?
• Verses 6-8: Paul encourages Timothy to look to him as an example. How would you feel if people looked to you as an example? What area would you have to grow in before you could confidently present yourself as an example for younger Christians? Are you willing to take steps in this area?
• Verse 8: Lorne encouraged us to look to the eternal reward as our final goal. This will, in a tangible way, put all suffering in context for us. How do you feel about the that uncomfortable relationship between present suffering and future eternal reward? Do you feel there should be more reward here and now? Do you feel there should be more suffering?
• Regardless of your age, Lorne charged each of us to live with the awareness that we are to be leading others in their spiritual journey and making disciples. How is this happening in your life? If it is not, take a moment and think of someone who you think is ready to begin being led deeper into discipleship with Christ. How can you take steps to enter into this type of relationship with them?