As I stepped to the front of the Stift Göttweig classroom to teach 2 Timothy and leadership principles at the NextGen Leadership Winter Academy, I met the eyes of people from all over the globe, each with unique stories, backgrounds, and yet hunger for God’s Word.
The conversations between the teaching sessions varied and included talks about ministry plans, relationships, theology, and more.
Three reflections and one final thought as I return home from this experience:
- God’s Word is authoritative.
- When I opened my mouth to teach the first session, I realized that my only authority was from God’s Word. The participants would have been kind to me and perhaps listened out of respect, but they would have recognized very quickly if I were trying to overstate my opinions or give them some far-out teaching.
- Thus, God’s Word was the only authority to sustain and carry their attention and potential for life change, not me or my ability to communicate.
- God’s Word is unifying.
- The group included at least eight countries, from Romania to Albania to the United States. Our common unifying factor was our relationship with God through the gospel of Jesus Christ, guided by the Word of God. Our hearts were knit together the instant I began teaching the Word. Heads were nodding as I described the gospel, lessons in ministry from 2 Timothy, and the ultimate hope of the Christian.
- Thus, while we found common ground quickly at the human level, our hearts were united around the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- God’s Word is food.
- Hunger for God’s Word was evident. Many sought to know more about the Bible and how to relate it to their ministry experience. They were there because they longed for answers outside of culture, entertainment, and their intuition. Their hearts were hungry to hear God’s Word explained. No other nourishment offered by the world can satisfy.
- Thus, the greatest and most satisfying food for a spiritually hungry soul is the clear teaching of the Word of God. There are no substitutes.
- One Last Thought: Relationships.
- During this trip, I spent time with multiple people from different backgrounds. Our experiences together varied but always included conversation and centering our hearts and minds on the gospel. Sitting across from one another or walking shoulder-to-shoulder, we lived life and connected relationally.
- This concept of relationships reminds me so much of our Lord’s ministry. Everywhere He went, He engaged profoundly and intimately through relationships. His disciples were with Him, and His followers came alongside Him.
- And yet, the most tragic thing was that His human relationships abandoned, denied, and betrayed Him.
- Most incredibly, His very own relationship with the Father was mysteriously severed as He bore our sins on the cross. What would cause the Lord Jesus Christ to do such a thing?
- He faced rejection, abandonment, and betrayal so that we who abandon, deny, and betray may never be severed, rejected, abandoned, betrayed, or denied by God. He was abandoned on the cross so that we might always be embraced. He gave his life so we can receive His relationship with the Father.
- Thus, in Christ, we are free to express that life-giving relationship when we love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable, and help the helpless.
God, help us love well the relationships you have given us by Your Word and for Your glory. Amen.
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
— January 7, 2025