Focus on Reproduction, Mentor's Guide, MG12

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F O C U S O N R E P R O D U C T I O N

6. Paul and Timothy (and his band), Acts 20.4 cf. Phil. 2.20-22

E. Apostolic investment in others: elements of discipling in the Church

1. Personal example and pace-setting, 1 Cor. 11.1

2. Ongoing pastoral care and tender loving care, 1 Thess. 2.7-8

3. Intercession and prevailing prayer, Col. 1.9-10 cf. Eph. 1.15-23

4. Personal contact and association, “to be with him,” Mark 3.14

5. Personal representatives, 2 Cor. 8.22

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6. Personal correspondence (the Epistles), Gal. 1.1-4

7. Personal delegation and oversight of ministry, 1 Thess. 3.4-8

Paul’s preferred imagery for the pastoral task is found in the parent-child relationship. To the Corinthians Paul declared: “For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel” (1 Cor. 4.15). Paul regarded himself as the founding father of not only the church in Corinth (1 Cor. 4.15; 2 Cor. 6.13; 12.14), but also of the churches in Philippi (Phil. 2.22) and Thessalonica (1 Thess. 2.11). Paul could also be a spiritual father to individuals, as well as to churches: during Paul’s imprisonment he had become “father” to Onesimus (Philem. 10); Timothy is “my beloved son and faithful child in the Lord” (1 Cor. 4.17: similarly Phil. 2.22; 1 Tim. 1.2, 18. 2 Tim. 1.2; 2.1); Titus, too, is his “loyal child” (Titus 1.4). Indeed, Paul could