Becoming A Student of His Word

Our Study Of 1 THESSALONIANS

Chapter 1
The epistle to the Thessalonians starts with a list of three men - Paul, Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy. At first pass I just read the names and kept going, but the more I read this chapter the more I felt like God was wanting me to think about the names. I know I have not done all the thinking on this that God intends for me to do but I do have some thoughts rolling. I'll start with the first one in this post and add more later.

1. There was a leader.
I like the definition I found for "leader" at Reference.com. I feel like it fits Paul - "a guiding or directing head; a forerunner." Paul was a leader to both Silas and Timothy, but there was a little something different between Timothy and himself. He was like a father figure to him. Paul called Timothy "my beloved and faithful child in the Lord" (1 Cor 4:17; 1 Tim 1:2; 2 Tim 1:2) Paul had the job of teaching Timothy how to serve the Lord.

Think about whom God has put in your life to lead, for whom you are to be a directing head and forerunner. As I thought about this question for myself I felt my heart moved toward my children. If I had the opportunity to write a book in the Bible it would start like this:

"Vanessa, Lexie, Zoe and Holton - to our family on Son Norman Road, grace and peace to you..."

If you are a follower of Christ you are leader to someone whether you know it or not. Sometimes the things I do as a mother, homeschool teacher and wife seems so mundane. I think, "God, can't you give me someone to impact, someone to lead? Can't I have an important job?" (Ok... I am just being real with you guys!) Then God says, "Important? I will show you important..." I look over to see my two-year-old calling her daddy in the room to worship God with her. It was all her idea! I hear my 10 year old pray prayers like they are coming straight from the mouth of God. I see a girl that so longs for her family and friends to be saved. I see them walking out the things I am sowing... then things go crazy again and toys are flying and kids are yelling. I sit back and I thank God for making me a leader to such awesome people.

Paul was a missionary. He had a big job that called him to go many places, but he did not have to go far to impact Timothy and Silas. Today you do not have to go far to have a ministry like Paul's... look at the people God has already given you to lead.

(I know what you're thinking, "She got all of that out of a list of three names?" Yeah, I did... and I have not told you the rest of it. Maybe that is for another time. :)