…what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV)
When my bimonthly edition of GOLF Magazine arrives, as surely as death and taxes, I read the LESSONS section in hopes of improving my game.
The latest issue featured an analysis of Scottie Scheffler’s swing written by Randy Smith, Scottie’s instructor at Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas. Scottie was seven years old when he showed up wearing long pants because that’s what the pros wore.
“Scottie made sure to emulate them, even in the downright oppressive Texas heat,” Smith wrote. “It’s safe to say his practice in imitation paid off.”
Because I change my swing after almost every instructional article or video I watch, I was surprised to learn that the world’s No. 1 golfer hasn’t really changed his swing that much since he was a kid.
One fascinating thing this Top 100 golf instructor shared was that every time Scheffler shows up at the range to work on his game, he makes sure to engage with the next generation of golfers. Smith writes, “The kids may not fully understand it, but there’s no one better for them to learn from and look up to.”
That sounds like our verse for today. Everything that you have heard from me, the apostle Paul writes, you should, in turn, entrust to others who will be able to pass it on to still others. We all need a spiritual mentor like Timothy had.
As my friend Kevin Harney urges, we need people in our lives who have spiritual wisdom, who teach us, and who model what it looks like to walk with Jesus through life’s joys and challenges.
But this raises the question: Might you be a Scottie Scheffler in the spiritual realm? While we are ultimately accountable for our own spiritual growth, the apostle Paul says we are also to invest in the spiritual journeys of others.
As Kevin put it to me, we have an important role in mentoring, coaching, helping, or investing in the life of someone younger in their faith. It’s called discipling: Paul to Timothy, Timothy to others, and those believers to still others—four generations of Christ-followers.
Here’s how Psalm 78:5–7 describes this call to participate in the lives of others:
He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
Paraphrasing what Kevin asked me, I now ask you: Can you name someone who can serve as your mentor and help you grow? Then, will you extend a hand to help someone else grow spiritually and teach that person how to take the hand of someone else?
What would happen if we all embraced Paul’s instruction to Timothy? This “chain” is powerful. It seems to be God’s plan for every follower of Christ.
You can listen to Scottie share his faith journey at the College Golf Fellowship annual retreat by clicking here.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for those you’ve placed in my life who have helped me grow closer to you. Lead me to people whom I can help grow in their faith and walk more closely with you. Amen.