A Life Worth Following

When I became a senior pastor at the age of 21, I had far more enthusiasm than experience.

I was serving a small church in San Diego, and to be honest, I didn’t always know what I was doing. At board meetings there was one gentleman, John, who seemed to oppose nearly every idea I brought forward. I found it frustrating.

One day, an older pastor named Bob Prestwood invited me to lunch. He listened, offered some wise counsel, and suggested a different approach for the next meeting.

I followed his advice. Everything changed.

At the time, I thought Bob was a genius. Looking back, I realize he was simply doing what mature disciples do—investing in someone who was still learning.

That’s exactly what Paul models in Acts 20. The greatest leaders are people who first become faithful disciples.

Your Life Speaks Before Your Words Do

Acts 20 records Paul’s farewell to the elders from the church in Ephesus. After spending nearly three years helping establish the church, Paul believes he will never see these leaders again.

If you knew you were speaking to people you loved for the last time, what would you emphasize?

Paul doesn’t begin by listing accomplishments. He doesn’t talk about the churches he planted or the number of people who came to faith.

Instead, he reminds them how he lived. He points to his humility, perseverance, integrity, and genuine love for the people. Before people follow our teaching, they’re evaluating our lives.

That’s why Paul begins with his example before he gives them instruction. Leadership always starts with character.

Speak the Truth Because People Matter

Paul also reminds these leaders that he never hesitated to proclaim “the whole will of God.” He didn’t preach only the encouraging passages. He taught the difficult truths as well.

Why? Because people mattered more than his popularity.

Paul knew there would always be voices distorting God’s truth and leading people away from Christ. Real love required honest conversations, even when they were uncomfortable.

That’s a lesson every leader, parent, mentor, and disciple-maker needs to remember. Caring deeply for people sometimes means saying what is needed, not simply what is welcomed. Truth without love becomes harsh. Love without truth becomes shallow.

Biblical leadership requires both.

Give Away Your Life

Paul concludes by reminding the elders that he never lived for personal gain. Instead, he gave away his life.

His generosity wasn’t limited to finances. He freely gave his time, energy, teaching, encouragement, and even his tears.

His ministry wasn’t about building a platform. It was about building people.

One of the most memorable statements in the chapter comes from Jesus Himself: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Those words shaped Paul’s entire ministry. And they still shape faithful leadership today.

The Legacy That Lasts

As Paul’s farewell comes to an end, the elders embrace him and weep. Why? Not because a celebrity was leaving. It was because they knew they had been deeply loved.

That may be one of the clearest measures of a life well lived.

Years later, I still remember that lunch with Bob Prestwood. I’m not sure he remembered the conversation afterward. I never forgot it.

One ordinary conversation helped shape the trajectory of my ministry. That’s how disciple-making usually works.

Rarely through spectacular moments.

More often through ordinary faithfulness, consistent encouragement, and intentional investment over time.

So here’s a question worth considering: Who invested in you? And perhaps even more importantly: Who are you intentionally investing in today?

The greatest thing you’ll leave behind won’t be your accomplishments, your résumé, or the position you held.

It will be the people whose lives were different because you faithfully pointed them to Jesus.