Encourager

Pete Kersker - Sep 10, 2026

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek (Acts 16:1 NIV).

Paul was travelling to the towns where he had been run out of town, stoned, and left for dead. These were the same towns where people came to Christ, started gathering together as Christ's church, and had elders shepherding Christ's flock (of people). Paul returned to these towns to encourage them.

The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him (Acts 16:2 NIV).

Timothy was the perfect person to help Paul as he returned to encourage them. Timothy was a Jewish believer who also knew how to get along well with the Gentiles, since his dad was Greek. Timothy was a man of strong faith who knew how to live in the world without being of the world. Timothy could complement Paul's gits and encourage the people in the area where he lived.

Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek (Acts 16:3 NIV).

Do you have people around where you live that you can encourage to walk with God?
Has God brought a coworker in Christ alongside you with complementing gifts?
How do you, together, use your gifts to build up Christ's church?