Generational Foundations

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)

    Paul’s words and relationship with Timothy is filled with encouraging words of honesty and admiration. The wise words of an older, more experienced person can build trust. These wise words can create opportunities for learning and mutual support. Throughout the Bible and within the church, there are many examples of intergenerational relationships such as Moses and Joshua, Ruth and Naomi, Elijah and Elisha, and Paul and Timothy. For many people, some of the fondest memories of church are the times spent with parents and grandparents.  

     Whenever I read Paul’s letter to Timothy and Paul mentions Timothy’s mother and grandmother by name, one of my first thoughts is ‘Eunice sounds like a name for an older person!’ The name Lois sounds a little more modern, youthful and casual. Not much is known about Lois and Eunice. They are not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, and the absence of a reference to Timothy’s father or grandfather has been interpreted by some to mean that his father and/or his grandfather were deceased. It is also reported that while Timothy’s mother was Jewish, his father was Greek (Acts 16:1). As a result, Timothy had not been circumcised as a boy. Nonetheless, it is the foundations of faith established by his mother and grandmother that Paul finds so notable.

    Paul assumes a fatherly role for Timothy and affectionately refers to him as his “son in the faith” (1 Corinthians 4:17). While recognizing his influence on Timothy, Paul attributes Timothy’s strong faith foundation to these key women. It is easy to speculate on the kinds of conversations and experiences that Timothy had with his mother and grandmother. Paul admonishes Timothy to “continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).  

    As we prepare for Rally Day on August 30, many of the children and youth who come will be accompanied by mothers and grandmothers (there will also be fathers and grandfathers accompanying some of the children). We will celebrate the first-time arrival of some and the return of others. We will also reach out to those who might not be present on Rally Day, just as God describes the pursuit of those who are missing—“I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out” (Ezekiel 34:11). The participation of individuals in the church is not isolated from others in the church; it is enriched by the foundations of generations who have come before and by the relationships that develop among those who share the Good News.   As disciples of Jesus who are commissioned to make disciples in Jesus’ name (Matthew 28:19), Jesus says there are even greater things that we are to accomplish in His name (John 14:12).  

    We will look forward to seeing you in worship, in class, and on the field of mission.

In Christ,

Jon McCoy