Young People's Group

The Challenge to Follow Through with What We Have Learnt

by Mitchell Tan
February 03, 2017

THE PROBLEM OF A LACK OF FOLLOW THROUGH

One of the main problems many people face today is the lack of follow through with lessons learnt. It is easy for them to learn a lesson and even reflect over them. But what if they don’t follow through with what they learn? They continue to struggle with the same sin problems. They are unable to effectively overcome sin problems. The apostle Paul challenged Timothy that he needed to do otherwise. He needed to learn to follow through.

ASPECTS OF FOLLOWING THROUGH

1. TAKING HEED

“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.”
1 Timothy 4:16

The word “take heed”’ in Greek is the word “prosecho”. It is means to “to pay attention” or “to hold fast to”. Paul used the same Greek word to describe those who “give heed” to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). Instead of giving heed to falsehood, Paul now challenged Timothy to take heed to himself and the doctrine. We are to take heed and to guard ourselves from being deceived by falsehood. We are to also give our attention to the doctrine. Timothy was meant to hold fast to the teachings that he had learnt. Taking heed to ourselves and the teachings from God must be done in conjunction with each other. The challenge is apply the word to ourselves first.

2. CONTINUE IN THEM

“Continue in them, for in doing this …”
1 Timothy 4:16

Taking heed to ourselves and the doctrine is not a one-time thing. The word “continue” has the idea of “remaining in it with persistence”. We must stay the course in doing these things consistently. The challenge is to get down to doing these things and to continue in them.

THE RAMIFICATIONS OF FOLLOWING THROUGH

“… You will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
1 Timothy 4:16

1. SAVING OURSELVES

When we follow through with doing these things, we will deliver ourselves from the sins and the problems that plague us. The application of the word of God to our life will help us be saved from them. It would be seen in our life.

2. SAVING OTHERS

When we are saved from these problems, we may be able to help others. The best way to save others is through we first experiencing the saving power from His word. Young people, let’s put in that much more effort to follow through with what we have learnt that we may minister effectively.

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