Lend me your ear as I share yesterday’s Bible reading with you. I am not claiming to know everything nor have all my theological ducks in a row… I just want to share with you.
As Falcon and I were reading in the second book to Timothy yesterday I happened to backtrack a few verses and I was greatly encouraged by the passage below. (Any emphasis is mine)
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:5-7
The Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy, his son in the faith. He mentions how Timothy has been raised in the ways and knowledge of God by his Grandmother Lois and his mother, Eunice. He says that this faith first dwelt in these women and it has been passed on to Timothy. Timothy has received a very rich faith. He has been instructed from childhood and, no doubt, much prayed for. Oh what great encouragement I take from that.
Looking further I read…
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
~2 Timothy 3:15
From childhood… acquainted with the sacred writings, from childhood.
Shortly after Falcon through me for a loop and asked as to the whereabouts of Timothy’s father? We talked about the possibilities. Of course I couldn’t leave well enough alone. Enquiring minds need to know these things. What about Timothy’s father? Was he an unbeliever? Was he dead?
Acts 16:1 gives a little insight about Timothy’s dad. He was a Greek. However, we still don’t know if he was alive or dead during Timothy’s childhood. Either way, Timothy was taught the Scriptures and had a rich heritage in the [Christian] faith.
Should our goal be to raise godly children (outcome based goal, over which we have less control) or to acquaint our children with the Scriptures… exposing our children to a rich faith and the word of God. (Focusing on the process.)
Are you encouraged by these verses? What have you been reading in God’s word this week?
Very encouraging Susan! We are going through Leading Little Ones to God at the moment and I can’t recommend it highly enough! The discussions that arise from each devotional is amazing. She is storing them up in her heart! On a side note, I’ve been pondering and discussing with other Christian friends for some time now about the amazing blessing that seems to encompass the lives of those that are third generation Christians and beyond ! They seem to be able to achieve their dreams and goals much quicker and see to walk ann amazing favour. What are your thoughts on this ? I have not read anything on it just been pondering and discussing …..:)
Rosemary, we posted at the same time. That has also been a topic of discussion here as we have a number of friends who are greatly blessed to be bringing up their children in families where several generations are believers. I see this as a great covenant blessing. I have also been able to observe members of these families who have not followed in the Biblical ways and how their children are, like the parents quite nominal and wordly. God says he will bless thousand (of generations) of them that love him.
Ruby yes I was thinking that too : the promise of blessing to a 1000 generations:) I think you move in circles different to ours where we don’t have any friends that are not first generation Christians, except maybe a couple. It’s been amazing watching their kids who are now third gen Christians and seeing God’s favour on their lives. Of course yea if they were not following God it’s a different story.
I am very encouraged by these verses, especially in situations where not all parents and grandparents are walking after the Lord. A praying, faithful mother or grandmother can have real influence. As we read and study the scriptures with out children it is important to emphasis sin, repentence, faith. It can be a nasty road for youngsters bought up thinking that because they live in a christian family they are naturally saved. It can be a catch for us parents too. Trying this year to s-t-r-e-t-c-h my children so far as Bible study is concerned. Application etc. Praying that by God’s grace they may love and hold His Word as Truth to the salvation of their souls..
Wow, I’m so glad you girls understood and *got* what I was saying. It was a really quick post… it really touched me and I wanted to share but have been so time poor that I nearly didn’t post because I didn’t want to represent the Scriptures incorrectly. Even though I couldn’t see how I could really… I just didn’t want to post too quickly. KWIMK?
I don’t know if I am a first or second generation believer!!! I was raised as a non Christian (totally!) but my mum, dad and I were all saved within a few years of each other. John and I have raised our children in covenant ways but I don’t know if I’d be a first or second generation. But I do know that I *say* my mum was the first one… then my dad, then me…
I watch my [now] married daughter. She is a second generation and wow, it’s just beautiful to observe. I don’t know if there is extra or special blessing per se, but it is beautiful! Because I do believe that there are some potholes in the road for those who have been raised In The Way and Continue In The Way… they, like the Older Brother, are often prone to feelings of self righteousness and pride.
This verse just gave me such comfort, such hope that I wanted to cry.
Yes, very encouraging.
I remember as a young teenager, someone questioning my Christianity and saying I shouldn’t believe something just because my parents had told me it was true. I didn’t have the words to explain then that if my faith was simply down to what my parents had told me was right, I probably would have totally rejected it. One thing they did faithfully was to read the Bible to me and encourage me to read it for myself. It was God’s word that spoke to my heart and his Spirit which led me to salvation. We cannot save our children, we cannot expect them to believe something just because we have said it is true, but we can share God’s word with them and pray constantly for them, especially those who have hardened their hearts to the word of God.
Jenny, one word… Exactly!
The Bible alone is more than sufficient and the Holy Spirit will do His thing. Sometimes we can get too involved. 🙂