November 29 I Sunday

Ezekiel 35-36

2 Peter 1

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”

—2 Timothy 1:5

God has given parents an exceptionally important role in growing His kingdom. Beyond the obvious responsibilities in caring for a child, God calls Christian parents to be the primary witnesses to their children of His truth and character. Paul makes this clear early in his second letter to Timothy when he praises Timothy’s mother and grandmother for raising him to have a strong faith, something which Paul was later able to “fan into flame” (2 Timothy 1:6).

The praising of Eunice and Lois shows how much value God places on the family. The late British evangelist, Rodney “Gypsy” Smith, wrote of a lady who felt deterred from becoming a missionary because she had to care for her six children. Rather than dismissing this woman’s missional desires, Smith responded positively, thanking God for having given this woman a mission field in her own home. In the same way, God calls parents to view their homes as their own primary mission field. There is no better place than the home for our children to learn about God and the importance of developing a relationship with Him.

Regular attendance in Sunday school will certainly help, but it is not enough. As parents, the onus is on us to teach our children about God, and it is extremely important for our children to see the role God plays in our own lives. Do they know we love Him, trust Him and depend on Him? Do they see us turning to God with thanksgiving even in hardship? Quiet little talks about God, an open Bible in our homes and precious times of prayer will instill in our children a desire to know God, which may or may not spring to life until later years. But wherever their lives take them—whether down a rough, rebellious road, or one of godly love and compassion—they know deep down that they will always have Jesus to turn to, because the seed would have been planted.

God wants us to sow seeds of truth in our children: who Jesus Christ is, what He did for us and the living, active relationship we can enjoy with Him. In His wisdom, God may send someone else to build on the foundation we have already laid, just as He did in sending Paul to Timothy. Though Paul was instrumental in reaping the harvest for Christ in Timothy, it is always the work of the Holy Spirit that brings people to Christ. He is the One who ministers to our children through our words and actions. Every child is a priceless gift, entrusted to us by God, which makes our home a vitally important mission field for His kingdom.

Prayer: Precious Jesus, grant me the courage and boldness to speak the truth of Your Word to my family. May Your Holy Spirit open their hearts and draw them to You. Thank You, Lord.