1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-19 (NIV)

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, ² To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

¹⁸ Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, ¹⁹ holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

1. Welcome to the family. 

   my true son in the faith

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. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Acts 16:1–2 (NIV)

History: we’ve been through some things together.

2. Welcome to my story.

   I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief

For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. 1 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)

Intimacy: we go to a deeper place of knowing each other.

3. Welcome to the journey.

   so that … you may fight the battle well

We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith. 1 Thessalonians 3:2 (NIV)

Mutuality: it’s a two way street of companionship.

“[Celtic Christians] would recommend that every Christian have an anam cara—that is, a "soul friend." One's soul friend, as I understand it, is not a superior or even one's spiritual director, but a peer with whom one can be open and vulnerable.” – George G. Hunter III, The Celtic Way of Evangelism: How Christianity Can Reach the West… Again

Q: Is it the destination or journey?

A: It’s the companions.