Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

In this passage, Paul reminds Timothy to train and exercise toward godliness as he would bodily exercise. Through the years I’ve trained my body in many different ways trying to look a certain way or to be in good enough health to perform an action, such as hiking a longer trail or lifting a certain amount of weight. I’ve read studies on how to most effectively train your body, and I’ve bought many programs to best meet my training goals.

Through these years, one statement stood out to me and really changed my perspective on training my body. That statement was “train to the point that your training is a hygiene.” The thought is that you don’t have to be an expert at exercise science to have the most ideal training sessions in the gym; you just have to show up and do something in order to make training a habit, or a hygiene. It may be a 10-minute walk that day, but that was better than not having a 10-minute walk. And as you become accustomed to a daily 10-minute walk, it begins to be easier and easier. It’s like a habit or a hygiene if you will. Then you are able to add to that a little at a time and continue working toward your goals because that consistency is where things change in your physical exercise.

The same is true in our study of scripture and our exercises toward godliness. You may have known that you needed to begin reading your Bible more, but you didn’t know where to start. Start with something that can be consistent and repeatable. Maybe you can start with a verse or two a day. Or maybe a chapter a day. Once that becomes easy and it’s a habit, you can then begin to add to that. Maybe it’s reading more, journaling your prayers, or studying more in-depth with a commentary. Let’s work to make our spiritual exercise like a hygiene and I know God will teach us and grow us exponentially.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• For you, what makes it hard to form good spiritual habits?
• What is a habit that you can begin working toward today that will help you in your journey with the Lord?

Family Devo: 1 Timothy 4

By: Tina Bryant

When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model.   

Head: the knowledge of God and His Word | Heart: the personal connection from scripture | Hands: a missional mindset  

Head

The entire book of Timothy is actually one letter written by Paul to a young man who was a Christian leader named Timothy. Timothy was younger than a lot of leaders at that time. Paul wrote to him in verse 12, “Don’t let anyone despise your youth.” Paul goes on to encourage Timothy to set an example in the way he speaks and behaves towards others, to act out of love, faith, and purity.  

Heart

Paul knew that Timothy was called to ministry and encouraged him to use the gifts that God had given him. This can be challenging, a lot of times when you step up and try to be a leader because some people may think you are too young, but like Paul encouraged Timothy, let me encourage you; you are not too young to be a leader!  

I love that Paul recognized that Timothy was a leader, more importantly, he believed in and encouraged Timothy to be the leader he was called to be! Maybe God is calling you to be a leader too.  

Hands

How can you be a leader to your family or friends? What gifts and talents do you recognize in your own life? Ask your parents what they think your gifts are, and tell them what you think your gifts are. This would be a great time to ask your parents about taking the Spiritual Gifts Assessment on the Venture App! Knowing what your gifts and talents are will help you to serve others and lead well.  

Prayer: Father God, help me to be like both Paul & Timothy. Help me encourage others today. Show me how to be a leader like Timothy, who was a leader even though he was young. Reveal to me what my spiritual gifts are and help me to grow in my faith each day.