INTERSECT

Hope Starts at Home (2 Timothy 1:5)

Hope for America starts at home. Don’t misunderstand. The ultimate and only real source of hope is God. He alone is the hope for any country or culture. But He has chosen to establish the home, the family, as the foundational unit for any society. As much as we talk about the church, it is worth pointing out that family was established before the church. And, what takes place within the family is vitally important to the health of the church.

In this passage, Paul referred to Timothy as his son in the faith, his own spiritual child. Paul had a number of close friends, men into whom he poured his life—men who locked arms with him in the spread of the gospel. Yet, it is clear, Timothy held a special place in Paul’s heart, and he helped develop the young man into a godly leader. While Paul had tremendous influence in Timothy’s life, our text reveals that Timothy’s Christianity took root long before he met the Apostle. His faith started at home with his mother and grandmother.

“A faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice”

This phrase comes from the housing world and carries the idea of a habitation or dwelling. Timothy’s mother and grandmother had a living faith dwelling inside them. From this, consider three characteristics of faith children should encounter in the home:

Sincerity

Faith without hypocrisy. The King James translators used the word unfeigned—faith that is the genuine article. Not perfect, because that isn’t possible, but sincere. How does one identify sincere faith? Bankers usually spot counterfeit money through association with real money. Real money has certain markers and identifying characteristics within the paper. For instance, you can tilt the bills a certain way to find marks of authenticity. Counterfeit bills are often exposed through touch. Tellers who handle money every day can quickly detect a counterfeit in their hands.

While we cannot spot counterfeit Christians with precision, generally we can identify genuine followers of Christ. Because our children are around us constantly, we cannot fool them if our faith is not real. They are far more perceptive than we realize. Timothy wasn’t a Christian in name only, slipping on a religious mask for Sundays or around certain people. According to Paul, Timothy was sincere in his faith.

Parenting carries a lot of pressure when you take it seriously—and most Christian parents do take it seriously. You might feel added pressure because you know you are an example of faith. Let me encourage you: you don’t have to be perfect in your example. Children simply need to see consistency and sincerity.

Scripture

Faith is a popular topic these days. The spiritual-but-not-religious crowd is in style. It is not uncommon for people to talk about faith, but the object of their faith is the real issue. Later in his letter to Timothy, Paul warned about people departing from the faith and the cultural pressure that pushes churches away from the teaching of the Bible. In Chapter 3, he urges Timothy to “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.”

Who acquainted Timothy with the sacred writings? It had to be his mother and grandmother since Paul says it started in his childhood. And, in those days, common people did not own a copy of the Scriptures. They went to church (synagogue) and rehearsed what they memorized of the Scriptures.

It’s a good reminder: parents today shouldn’t let our children decide whether or not to go to church. Some parent might protest, “Well, I don’t want to force them to go.” How does that work in other areas of life? Do you make them go to bed? To school? Of course! While we cannot force Christ on anyone, especially our children, far too many parents today allow their children and schedules to call the shots regarding church attendance.

But emphasis on Scripture requires more than church. Read it. Talk about what it says. Let them hear you ask, “What does the Bible say about this?” Provide an example that proclaims the Bible is the authoritative guide for faith and practice…and life.

The Savior

Paul continued in verse 15, “These Scriptures are able to make one wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” As you introduce your children to Scripture, you also will introduce them to the Savior. The Bible is a big volume—66 books by 40 authors containing books of historical record, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, and letters to the early church. But it only has one point: it is the story of God’s plan of redemption through His Son.

The Messiah is anticipated throughout the Old Testament and revealed in the Gospels. The epistles explain the implications of His death and resurrection, and Revelation details His return. It’s all about Jesus. Right after the fall in Genesis 3, God promised a Redeemer would come and the rest of the Bible unfolds the story. From the beginning, He tells us what the Bible story is about—more precisely, who it is about. This is how Jesus interpreted the Scriptures. After His resurrection, while walking with two of His disciples who failed to recognize Him, He explained from Scripture how Christ would suffer and rise from the dead. Luke described the conversation: “He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” That is the ultimate goal of a Christian home—to reveal everything about Jesus.

Our culture doesn’t practice arranged marriages. Sure, occasionally you will hear parents plot, wishing their son or daughter would marry this person or that person. But it doesn’t go beyond that. When I was a teen, I would not have been thrilled about the idea of my mom and dad introducing me to a girl. While parents certainly cannot force children into a relationship with Jesus, let’s be clear—He is the One they need to know more than anyone else. So, do your best to create a home where children encounter sincerity, the Scriptures, and the Savior.

Perhaps you cannot give your children or your grandchildren much according to worldly standards. But, dear friends, if you share with them a sincere, day-after-day faith, you will give them what matters most.

About the Writer: Dr. Barry Raper pastors Bethel FWB Church near Ashland City, Tennessee. He also serves as program coordinator for ministry studies at Welch College and is a member of the Tennessee Christian Education Board. Barry and his wife Amanda have five children: Hannah, Tre, Emma, Caroline, and Elijah.