The Power of Mentorship

There’s an old story told in Florence about a young apprentice who studied under the great architect Filippo Brunelleschi—the mastermind behind the dome of the Florence Cathedral.
The apprentice had talent. Everyone saw it. But Brunelleschi saw something deeper: untapped potential that needed shaping.

He gave the boy frustratingly simple tasks—sweeping, sketching, fetching tools—nothing close to designing. The boy grew impatient. “Why won’t you teach me how to build domes?” he finally asked.

Brunelleschi replied, “I am. I’m teaching you how to watch, how to listen, how to submit your ego so your gift can serve something greater than your name.”

Years later, that apprentice would design churches and towers across Italy. But he always credited Brunelleschi—not just for teaching him architecture, but for teaching him how to be mentored.

“Paul didn’t just preach to Timothy—he poured into him. And Timothy didn’t just receive information—he received formation. That’s the difference between education and discipleship.”

The Lifted Life Journey: We are in our final week of this four-week series on FOUR Lifts promised to you and your life through our church. They are:

•The Lift of Worship
•The Lift of Community
•The Lift of Serving
•The Lift of the Deeper Life

This message will encourage you to seek out mentors who will guide you in your spiritual journey, while also challenging you to invest in others as mentors, fostering a cycle of growth and support in the church.

You see, there is a mutual benefit of mentorship, and the impact it can have on one’s faith and service to God is life-changing.

Big Idea: Today is about Mentoring for the Mission – How Everyone needs a Paul to guide them and a Timothy to nurture, for through deeper discipleship, we grow in faith and fulfill God’s calling together.

Let’s spend a few minutes exploring their relationship today, together.

I. Mentorship Begins with Insight and Turns into Investment

Acts 16:1–3
Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

•This happens during Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 15:36–18:22), around A.D. 49–51.

oThese two towns are about 60 miles apart

•On Paul’s first missionary journey from A.D. 46-48, he goes to Timothy’s hometown, Lystra, and it is recorded in Acts 14.

oDuring this first visit to Lystra the Apostle Paul heals a man. The town then believes he is Hermes, the Greek god, and Barnabas was the Greek god, Zeus. The people then begin to pay tribute. The priest of Zeus brings out a sacrifice to make an offering, as the gods have put on flesh and visited them.

oPaul tells them to stop – and he starts to preach to them about Jesus. And it is here, that some Jews come from Antioch and influence the crowds to STONE PAUL and leave him for dead.

•Many scholars believe that this early visit may have planted the seeds of faith in Timothy's heart, even though he wasn’t mentioned by name yet. Most likely, this dramatic event likely made a huge impression on the young Timothy, who may have witnessed it or heard about it firsthand.

So, notice what happens when Paul returns to Lystra and Derbe:
•On Paul’s return visit, Timothy is already a well-spoken-of disciple.

Acts 16:1-2
Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.

Notice, the geography for a moment –


Derbe and Lystra are mentioned together in both Acts 14 and in Acts 16:1.

Then, we see in Acts 16:2, that Lystra and Iconium are listed together and here is what it says of Timothy.

Acts 16:2
He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.

Timothy is well spoken of by the believers in both of these towns. Timothy was already committed to the Lord as a follower of Christ and he was known for his faith.

Paul learned of this and decided he wanted to invest in Timothy’s future and Timothy begins traveling with Paul immediately afterward.

People with a Heart and Mind to Mentor See Something and Say Something!

•Paul saw something in Timothy—maturity, reputation, potential—and was willing to invest deeply. – So he invited him to join him.

People with a Heart and Mind to be Mentored are Willing to Pay the Price and Go on the Journey.

•Timothy was willing to be mentored—he submitted to circumcision and left home to follow Paul.

Let me ask you a few questions:
•Do you have Vision for others who need what God has given to you?
•Are you looking to lift others who through mentorship?
•Who are you walking with?
•Who invited you—and who are you inviting?

Remember we are talking about Mentoring for the Mission – How Everyone needs a Paul to guide them and a Timothy to nurture. The second thing I want us to see about mentorship is that it takes our relationships below the surface.

II. Mentorship Takes us Deeper in Relationship Together

1 Timothy 1:2
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Now, the letter 1 Timothy was written after Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, between A.D. 60-62.

So, do the quick math here, Paul and Timothy have been walking together for at least 10 years, maybe a bit longer.

Ten years is a good run together, especially in ministry. And Timothy is being left in Ephesus to organize and lead the church there. So, Paul is preparing him for that. He will get very personal in the letter with him, and it is in a few places, he speaks of his affection for him.

Here in verse 2, he uses familial language. He says, “My true child in the faith…” and in verse 18 he says…

1 Timothy 1:18
This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child…

The Apostle Paul doesn’t treat Timothy as a project, but as a son. Paul knows his role. He knows that if the gospel is going to go forward, it must be poured into the next generation.

True mentoring is built on love, trust, and personal investment.

The third thing we note in their relationship is this:

III. Mentorship Empowers Leadership

You know, working on this sermon has made me reflect on my mentors, Dr. Barry Landrum, and Ronny Barner.

The Lord brought me here in 1997 and allowed me to walk with these might men, who lived lives of great faithfulness.

And one of the things that Barry did for me was give me opportunity.

•He gave me opportunity to develop my administrative gifts, as Ronny retired and I took charge of the facilities.

•He gave me opportunity to join him in his office – working with committees, the deacon body, developing the budget, buying real estate, doing weddings and funerals, going to the hospital, and more.

•After we bought our Bellaire campus, he charged me to get it ready to open at the end of January!  

•Then, he empowered me to preach, as we opened the Bellaire Campus, he created a preaching rotation with me.

I am thankful for the empowerment!

1 Timothy 1:3–5
As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

•Paul entrusts real responsibility to Timothy.
•He empowers him to lead, even at a young age (cf. 1 Tim. 4:12).

And notice the word “our” in verse 5.

Paul says – “remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons…”

Then he says in verse 5, “The aim of our charge.”

They are together. They are partners. They are unified.

Mentors give away authority. Mentees must step up with courage.

•You see, the gospel moves and the church is strengthened when leaders empower others and those empowered steward their trust well.

What else does Paul do to mentor Timothy?

IV. Mentorship Speaks Life Into Others

2 Timothy 1:3-7
I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Look with me at the ways Paul is speaking “life” into his son in the faith:

1.“I am praying for you night and day!”  - v. 3
2.“I miss you and I know when we see each other again, it’s going to be an amazing reunion.” – v. 4 – “I long to see you…filled with joy.”
3.“You’ve got this” – v.5 - I am reminded of your sincere faith – that your mom and grandmother had…” – Timothy, you’ve got this and you have a deep faith!
4.“Don’t be afraid!” – v. 7 – God has you because you have him!

You know, this sounds exactly like what we would hope a father or mother would be saying to their son or daughter, doesn’t it?

Mom…Dad…listen to me. Your first disciple-making opportunity…your first mentorship development…your first Paul to Timothy…or Lois to Eunice relationship is with your children.

If you aren’t sure about being a mentor, just look at your children.

And can I tell you something that is so cool?

When your children have left your home and they return to you for insight, counsel, prayer, and to talk about the things of God. It’s the best.

But here is what it takes – a tongue that is life-giving.

I tell young couples that your tongue and how you speak will set the climate and temperature of your home.

If you speak harshly, it’s going to be cold in your home.

But if you speak with gracious words, you are going to create a climate of blessing.

The Apostle Paul is speaking with gracious words to Timothy. He is speaking blessing to him! If you want someone to return to you to hear your words, speak blessing…and they will return because their hearts need to hear it.

Speak life! Speak life! Speak life!

There are just a few more and I will move quickly…

VI. Mentorship Multiplies Through Others

2 Timothy 2:1–2
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

•Paul isn’t just focused on Timothy’s growth—he’s building a legacy. Look at the 4 parties who are involved in this journey:
oYou – that’s Timothy
oMe – that’s Paul
oFaithful men – that’s them
oTo Teach Others – that’s those who haven’t heard yet

This deeper lift of a mentorship relationship goes four deep. Paul is investing in Timothy. Timothy is to invest in those who are faithful. Those who are faithful are to invest in others.
•Mentorship should always aim to multiply, not just maintain.

So, look around. Who is faithful…that you can pour into?
•Are you passing on what you’ve been given?
•Who’s your Timothy?

Let’s look at #7 here…

VII. Mentorship Builds Trust and Partnership

Philippians 2:19–22
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.
“I have no one like him… Timothy’s proven worth…”

•Paul trusts Timothy to represent him.
•True mentorship develops not just gifting, but character and reliability.
•But also see the way Paul has benefited from this, as the mentor, leader. He feels so blessed to have walked with Timothy! The mentor benefits as much from the relationship as the one he has developed.

Lastly, the 8th principle about Mentoring that advances the mission…Friend, you need a Paul…and you need a Timothy!!!  Number 8 is…

VIII. Mentorship Requires the Long View

2 Timothy 4:6–8
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

“I have fought the good fight… I have finished the race…”

The Apostle Paul knows his time is limited. And that’s our reality, isn’t it?

Our time:
•As a parent with my children under my roof
•As a student with my high school friends
•As a college student
•As an athlete
•As the Pastor
•As the CEO

Our time is limited…

And Paul knows it…so instead of just fading off into the sunset, and his life mission stopping, what does he do?

He hands Timothy the keys…he has given him the vision, the values, and the culture of what he was building and he says, “Alright…your turn.”

2 Timothy 4:1-5
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 But as for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Paul reflects on a life well lived—and looks to Timothy to continue the mission. And he models for him fulfilling the ministry and then challenges him to do the same.
Application: My friend, if you are growing in Christ, then your life should be preparing someone else to run their race. This is the way of the kingdom.

•Are you a Paul—with wisdom to give, but hesitant to invest?

We mentor…
oWe’re on the clock…We are being called to mentor/disciple others…
oIf the Church is not making disciples, then all cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible, are a waste of time. (CS Lewis)
oThe Great Commission in Matthew 28 is for us too, not just for the disciples…
oWe should all be someone’s spiritual parent.

•Are you a Timothy—looking for guidance, but not yet submitted to a Paul?
oMake known your need for a mentor...
Say to yourself, and other people, I need someone to help me guide me in spiritual growth.
Humble yourself, make it a priority, and move on it. Now. Create the time and space in your schedule to allow others in to help you…
Practical Next Steps for “Timothy’s”:
Create Space in your schedule
Be teachable
Enjoy the journey


This blog is based on the message shared by Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson on Sunday, August 24, 2025 from our CityRise Church West U Baptist campus. Check out the full message below!