Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 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 1:1-5 NKJV)
The home base for discipleship is the Christian home. While the church can offer resources and reinforcement for discipling our children, we cannot replace what God can do through a father and mother. Here we see a young man, Timothy, who would make a difference in the world because he was discipled in the home. A spiritual legacy was transmitted from his mother and grandmother. Paul had become as a father to him in mentoring him for ministry. Here is hope for the single parent or for a child whose parents have no spiritual interest. The church's involvement must extend beyond a couple of hours of teaching during the week and have individual members who invest time and attention on that child which is lacking in the home. Bottom line: the church has been hemorrhaging youth for years and this must be reversed! This will not change until authentic faith is modeled and taught consistently in the family unit. Gone are the days (if there ever were such) that you could drop your kids off at church and expect that will get the job done. At best that approach is creating spiritual mediocrity and at worst, shoving our sons and daughters toward the abyss. Dads and Moms, the church will seek to support you more intentionally and effectively, but you must own the responsibility. God gave you those kids. What will you do with them?
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