June 19-20
A Faith Worth Passing Down
2 Timothy 1:3-7
The word "inherit" may bring to mind cash and possessions—or even genetic and personality traits. Yet the Bible talks about something else that can be passed down to the next generation, and it is the most precious thing we have: our faith.
In today's passage, Paul writes to Timothy about faith worth passing down—namely, that which is based on the truth of God's Word. It is the confident conviction that God is who He says He is and will do everything He says He will do. The apostle notes that the younger man's sincere faith did not materialize out of thin air, but in fact was evident in his lineage (v. 5).
There are many ways to hand down a rich legacy of faith to the next generation:
1. Share basic biblical principles. Kids must be taught the proper attitude about money (Ps. 24:1), how needs are fulfilled (Phil. 4:19), and direction in life (Pro. 3:5-6).
2. Model through lifestyle. How we live—with transparency, peace, and persistence or fear, doubt, and frustration—sends a loud message about whether God can be trusted.
3. Serve God by serving others. If we act on our faith, we show it is real (James 2:26).
4. Pray and praise. Children won't forget hearing us speak their names in prayer. And when we praise them for trusting the Lord, they will be motivated to do so again.
Parents should be intentional about passing down faith to their sons and daughters. But even the childless have opportunity to leave this godly legacy to the next generation of believers. Paul nurtured new Christians as
a father would his children, and he encourages us to imitate him (1 Cor. 4:14-16).
Extra column: a hymn about the influence of Christian parents
Happy the Home When God Is There
Happy the home
when God is there
And love fills everyone
When with united work
and prayer
The Master's will is done.
Happy the home
where God's strong love
Is starting to appear,
Where all the children
hear His fame
And parents hold Him dear.
Happy the home
where prayer is heard
And praise is everywhere,
Where parents love
the sacred Word
And its true wisdom share.
Lord, let us
in our homes agree
This blessed peace to gain;
Unite our hearts
in love to Thee,
And love to all will reign.
Amen.
Text: Henry Ware, Jr., revision by Bryan Jeffery Leech
© 1976 Fred Bock Music Co.
Used by permission.
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