The next two weekends I’ll speak to college juniors and seniors regarding life after school. Regardless of where their career takes them, I’ll share three habits to develop in order to walk with Jesus for the next 60 years, all from the life of Timothy.

Live a Spirit-filled Life

We cannot walk long with Jesus without the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote to Timothy, by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you (2 Timothy 1:14).

Living with the Holy Spirit involves talking with the Lord, asking the Spirit to indwell us, to speak and act through us. It involves paying attention when the Spirit brings conviction of sin.

It means a daily habit of asking the Holy Spirit to fill and control my life.

Live a Word-filled Life

To walk with Jesus for the next 60 years you need the Bible. All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

If all scripture is truly God-breathed, then nothing substitutes—an unwavering commitment to the Word of God is necessary to keep our faith intact.

Lousy ideas and teachings cascade all around us, from social media, television, videos, books and podcasts. Without the living and active Word of God, rubble buries our faith.

Develop the habit of reading or listening to the Bible every day. Commit to it for the rest of your life.

Now for the Synergy…

Over time you’ll start to notice how the Holy Spirit uses the Holy Scriptures to develop your soul. They go together like peas and carrots. The Spirit and the Scriptures meld together in support as you face the battles and temptations of life.

Live a People-filled Life

To walk with Jesus for the next 60 years, you need fellow believers. We need each other—I need young followers of Jesus, and they need us old folks.

Here’s a glimpse into Timothy’s relationship with Paul: You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings (2 Timothy 3:10).

Timothy persevered in the faith thanks to his friendship with Paul, along with the faith of his mother and grandmother and other committed disciples surrounding him. Good people buoy your faith.

Commit to the habit of seeking out and joining a group of vibrant Christ-followers wherever you go. Finding a good church is often hard work, so decide now to do so the rest of your life. Run with good people.

Good Ideas Make Good Habits…

If you hope to walk with Jesus for the next 60 years, you’ll need to turn good intentions into good habits by cultivating a Spirit-filled, Word-filled, and People-filled life.

Keep the faith.

Photo by Drew Beamer