Faith Passed Down-2 Timothy 1:1-14

What does it mean to have faith passed down? We are all unique individuals, with our own God-given gifts for us to reveal and present to society. With that said, we are also the products of our parents/guardians, for our behaviors are molded to a degree by those who had the most influence upon us during our formative years. The very practices parents engage in, whether good or bad, can be absorbed into future behaviors of our children. These behaviors include the faith practices we have ingrained into our children. A few of these good practices include praying with our children and reading the Bible with them, as well as regularly attending worship. If our kids do not see their role models engaging in faith practices, how do we expect them to pick it up on their own?  

Paul brings up this topic of faith formation in the 2 Timothy passage by commenting how Timothy’s mother and grandmother were an important factor in the faith development of one of his most highly regarded students, his apostle and successor Timothy. “I am reminded of your most sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and now, I am sure, lives in you.” There are many activities our children do that keep the calendar full and make them well-rounded in order to be successful in life. However, let’s not forget the importance of their faith formation and of making room for God in their busy schedule.  By creating healthy faith practices early on, our children will have the necessary skills to know how to connect with God during the ups and downs of life.