Tradition and Godliness

1 Timothy 4 is a famous passage for Youth Pastors, mostly because of verse 12, but to just focus on verse 12 misses a great wealth of wisdom in this passage as Paul gives some advice on ministry to Timothy.

We see the importance of spiritual instruction not just for the congregation but for their leader:
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. (1 Timothy 4:7-10 NIV)
We might think that in 2011 we are above godless myths and old wives tales but that's not the case. How many times are things the way they are in our churches because "that's how we've always done it"? Now while I don't think we should just rock the boat for the sake of it, somethings are unhelpful though, and come under this old wives tales heading.

The second part of Paul's message to Timothy here is of the importance of spiritual training. Working in ministry often means we neglect this side of our lives while telling people that they shouldn't do the same thing. It's inappropriate of us as leaders to neglect our spiritual growth while attempting to encourage others' spiritual growth, and as such we need to make sure that we are taking care of our spiritual life. That's why taking time out to read the Bible is vital to us, and we should do whatever we can to make sure that happens, when I started college I was given the great tip of buying a separate Bible for work & one for reading that way there's a physical change there, and that may be helpful. A steady prayer life is also important to us, that means at the very least we should be praying consistently every day, find a time, for me it's the shower, I have a shower every day so thus if I pray in the shower I know I pray at least once every day, it may not be very "reverent" but it's praying to God. Prayer was something I struggled with for a long time until I found the style that works for me, and the realization that I can just do it in the shower, and wherever. I use the ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) model for my prayer time and it works well for me, but everyone is different and I'm sure if you google prayer or prayer model you'll find something that works for you