Training. Interesting subject. I’ve talked to at least three parents this week who have kids going off to college. Kids are all worried about their majors. In many respects, it doesn’t matter. People start out with one major and end up in another often. Even more, they graduate and devote their lives to an entirely different field.
Paul advises Timothy, “Train yourself in godliness, for while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
Timothy was already a church leader at a young age. No doubt, he did not have an M.Div. or other certificated entry paper. He trained under Paul. So as Paul is giving him advice on how to organize a church, he gives him also personal advice.
Note the parallel construction of training in godliness and physical training. Just as in earning that first college degree, you learn something, but then you devote your life to training. You work at it every day. You have a plan. In physical training, you determine the muscles to develop and how to develop stamina, strength and flexibility.
Just so in your career, you learn something, but then you get a job. Then you train to develop those “muscles” in the right way to excel at your profession.
And then in spiritual matters, you also determine the spiritual muscles you need to develop and proceed to train to develop them in strength and stamina.
How to develop a spiritual training plan? Take a look at the classic Spiritual Disciplines (or Practices). Study, meditation, prayer, service, worship, celebration, and so on. Where do your muscles need work? Start to train them.
And tell your young acquaintances, you go to college to learn to learn. Then you spend your life learning.
Faith Venture 
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