2 Timothy 1:3-5 speaks to you and I about A Faith Worth Passing Down! I have come to learn, and I pray that you have as well, that the most precious thing we can pass down to OUR children is OUR faith--the confident conviction that God is who He says and will do all He has promised. Timothys strong relationship with Christ didnt materialize out of thin air; it grew as a result of his mother and grandmothers example. Here are ways WE, too, can hand down a rich legacy to the next generation: 1. Teach practical biblical principles. OUR children need to know Gods views on material wealth (Ps. 24:1), meeting needs (Phil. 4:19), and direction in life (Prov. 3:5-6). 2. Model character through lifestyle. How WE live--whether with transparency, peace, and perseverance, or with fear, anxiety, and self-reliance--loudly communicates what WE believe about God. 3. Serve God by serving others. OUR actions show that OUR faith is real (James 2:26). If WE want OUR children to NOT develop a self-centered perspective, servant hood is key. 4. Intercede for them. OUR children wont forget hearing US pray regularly for them. 5. Communicate love. OUR young people need to know WE love them the way God loves US--unconditionally rather than based on what they do or dont do. OUR spoken words of love breathe life into their hearts. And as WE affirm them for trusting God, they see that WE value their spiritual growth. As parents, WE must be intentional about leading and inspiring OUR sons and daughters to follow Christ. But even those without children of their own can leave a legacy. The example to follow is Paul: though neither married nor a natural parent, he was a spiritual father to many (1 Cor. 4:14-16). Amen....
Posted on: Sat, 17 May 2014 18:55:51 +0000