«When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also» (2 Timothy 1:5).
PAUL IS IMPRISONED in a Roman dungeon but writes and uplifts the faith of his spiritual son. It is a genuine, pure, true faith, and he is also thankful that it was passed down to him from his family.
We do not have much information about his grandmother Lois, whose name means «agreeable.» A Jew by birth, she was the first in the family to accept the gospel. Then Eunice, whose name means «good victory,» also accepted the gospel. Timothy’s father was Greek, so Eunice and Lois taught Timothy the Scriptures, and this paved the way for him to receive the gospel from Paul on his first missionary journey.
God had commanded His people to teach their children about His divine actions: His great works, the deliverance of His people, the promise of a Redeemer, and His revelation in nature and Scripture.
«We see the advantage that Timothy had in a correct example of piety and true godliness. Religion was the atmosphere of his home. The manifest spiritual power of the piety in the home kept him pure in speech, and free from all corrupting sentiments» (Conflict and Courage, p. 345), This was true then and will continue to be so. We are forged in the home.
Such was the training of Moses in the lowly cabin home in Goshen; of Samuel, by the faithful Hannah; of David, in the hill dwelling at Bethlehem; of Daniel, before the scenes of the captivity separated him from the home of his fathers. Such, too, was the early life of Christ at Nazareth.
Parents, there is a great work for you to do for Jesus . . . Satan seeks to bind the children to himself as with bands of steel, and you can attain success in bringing them to Jesus only through determined personal effort (ibid.).
The seeds sown by word and example during the infancy of our children will produce trees of justice, which will flourish and be fruitful.
Will parents review their work in the educating and training of their children, and consider whether they have done their whole duty in hope and faith that these children may be a crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus? Have they so labored for the welfare of their children that Jesus can look down from heaven and by the gift of His Spirit sanctify their efforts? Parents, it may be yours to prepare your children for the highest usefulness in this life, and to share at last the glory of that which is to come? (Child Guidance, p. 25).
Let us continue to do our best, redeeming time and praying,
and may God’s blessing free our children from the steel shackles of the enemy and give them the crown of joy.
