I Corinthians 4:15
“For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.”
We can all be a parent to another in the faith. Mine was a seminary student named Gordon. He came into my life at the perfect time. I had accepted Christ in October of 1978. I didn’t know any christians. I still attended the church I grew up in, but it didn’t teach the bible and didn’t explain how to walk with Him. My mom, my brother and I watched christian television and since April of 1979. That’s where we got our feeding. It was about July and I was changing batteries and tires. I would talk to anyone who would listen about God. I was having that conversation with Gordon. He invited me to his house for a bible study. I did so every Friday night for years. He was my father in the faith for about 12 years.
I have never been a father to anyone for that long. I’m an influence to a couple of coworkers at my job. I might be one to someone at my small group. In a distant way I am this to the three students that run the christian club in my room.
Paul explains this process of being an influence to another in 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.” By another name it’s called discipleship.
The Timothy verse gives three levels of relationships we should have. One is being a father, a second is having christian friends that are on the same level and the third is being the younger one in the faith. It’s best if we have all three relationships. Our pastor is the father to most of us. An assistant pastor may be another father. When I was a younger counselor one of my supervisors was one of my fathers.
Lord, than You for these friendships. You use them for growth. Helps us to have all three in our lives.