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2 Timothy 1:5 “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”

  It’s back to school time already. Many families are getting back into the routine of getting the kids to bed early and getting them up at the crack of dawn to be ready for a day of school. I have two in school, but it’s college. So the days of waiting for the school buses is past for us, but we have fond memories—practicing spelling words, going over facts of history, playing four square in the driveway as we waited for the bus. School days are hectic but they can also be times of talking, sharing and building faith.

  Our verse today reminds us of that. Timothy wasn’t waiting for a yellow school bus, but he was taught about God and His wonderful word.

  Several things to notice about this simple verse.

• First, Paul knows Timothy’s family. He names his mother and grandmother. Paul first meets Timothy in Acts 16. He is a believer and well spoken of by the brethren in Lystra. Paul not only knows the family names, he knows of their faith. He calls it a “sincere” faith—or an honest faith, or a true faith. Sincere as opposed to being fake or hypocritical or just going through the motions. They believed. It was obvious. 

• These women, grandma, and mom, taught Timothy. Often the lessons at home are more beneficial, more practical and more helpful than what one gets in Bible class. I get the impression that the lessons from the Bible never ended. Timothy grew up knowing, learning and accepting. When moms and dads are actively engaged in teaching and sharing God’s word with their children, they will learn faster and younger than what the parents did. There are many incredible young men preaching today, much of that credit goes to the homes they came from.

• Did you notice that nothing is said about grandpa nor dad? We know that Timothy’s dad was Greek, but that’s all we know. Their names are not given, nor is anything said about their faith. This is the scene in too many congregations today. The women believe and the men are too tired, too busy, too something to attend gospel meetings, worship services or to be engaged in the spiritual development of their kids. They’ll take the boys hunting but they won’t take them to Bible class. How sad! The church is hurting for strong male leadership today. Men are needed to step up. It begins in the home. Take the lead in saying prayers, teaching the kids the books of the Bible, of connecting life to the word of God.

• Timothy plays a dominate role in the N.T. He follows Paul in many places. He preaches in Ephesus, and at the end of Paul’s life, it is Timothy that Paul is counting on to come and help him. Sometimes moms don’t feel like they do much for the kingdom. If all you can do is raise a Timothy, and then let him go—you are doing well. When Paul came to their area, he wanted Timothy to go with him. Mama let her son go. Often, young men may go across the country to preach or even overseas, we need to let them go. They are doing the work of God, and we can’t let our feelings for them keep them from going. Grandmas and moms, get busy with your Timothys. They may never preach and that’s fine, but if you can develop that sincere faith in them, what a powerful and wonderful thing you have done.

• Teaching your kids takes time and patience and innovation. Sometimes you ask them things and they don’t even realize that you are building their faith, making them think and making them see through the choices of life to consequences, influence and matters like that. In the old Law, ancient Israel was to instruct their children when they went to bed and when they rose in the morning. God is a part of the family. His word is the foundation upon which the family stands. Those are solid truths that are evidenced each day.

  School time—what a great reminder to all of us parents, that we need to be busy teaching the kids the most important lessons of all, and that is to honor, obey, and love the Lord. Timothy could not have been Timothy without that wonderful start in his faith by grandma and mom. Paul saw that. God saw that. We see it today in many families. Keep it up! When dad’s aren’t involved, keep doing what must be done. It will make a difference.

Roger