1 Corinthians 4:14-17
Be Still: Lord Jesus, as I enter into your word today, would you bring stillness to my body and peace to my mind as I prepare for you to speak to me. Amen.
Read: 1 Corinthians 4
I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. (v. 14-17)
Encounter: I used to work for a church in Exeter whose whole purpose was to reach unchurched young people. Even though that was our mission, we never wanted to be a ‘youth church.’ We believed we had to be a mix of ages and stages to be healthy. Young people desperately need spiritual parents and grandparents. Despite that, we consistently found it hard to attract the older generation. People would often say, 'But you’re a church for young people, why would you want us?'
But the truth was that we needed them.
Each of us needs a spiritual mentor who is ahead of us to guide, encourage and challenge us. And, as well as needing that, we must be that for others. Paul describes how he became a father for the Corinthians through the gospel. Later in 1 Corinthians, Paul encourages the church to ‘imitate him as he imitates Christ.’ That’s pretty bold - I’m not sure I’d want to encourage others to imitate me!
As we journeyed through 1 Corinthians, you may have noticed that Paul isn’t afraid to challenge the Corinthian Christians. We often think of the word ‘pastor’ as describing someone nice to everyone. But the word ‘pastor’ is derived from a Latin word meaning shepherd – it’s about guiding. However, in a Western social context where authority is located in the individual, none of us like being guided.
When I was in my teens, I had a youth worker who was prepared to have difficult conversations with me because, on occasion, I needed them! I didn’t appreciate his words then, and he could probably tell. But, looking back, I’m so glad he had the courage to challenge and guide me.
Apply: Am I open to guidance from a trusted mentor or spiritual ‘parent’? Or do I need to think about how I can invite the wise voice of another Christian into my life?
Devote: Lord, thank you that you give us one another. Please show me today how I can invite the voice of another wise Christian into my life who knows they have permission to challenge and encourage me.