December 15, 2022 7:00 pm
In 2019, research exploring the spiritual heritage of Christians in the US revealed that mothers and grandmothers have a significant influence on spiritual development. Nearly two-thirds of people who claim a legacy of faith credited their mother and one-third acknowledged that a grandparent, usually a grandmother, also played a significant role.
The report’s editor remarked, “Over and over, this study speaks to the enduring impact of mothers in . . . spiritual development.” It’s an impact we also discover in Scripture.
In Paul’s letter to his protégé Timothy, he acknowledged that Timothy’s faith was modeled to him by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5). It’s a delightful personal detail highlighting the impact of two women on one of the leaders of the early church. Their influence can also be seen in Paul’s encouragement to Timothy to “continue in what you have learned . . . and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures” (3:14–15).
A strong spiritual heritage is a precious gift. But even if our upbringing lacked the kind of positive influences that helped form Timothy’s faith, there are likely others in our life who have had a profound impact in helping to shape our spiritual development. Most important, we all have the opportunity to model sincere faith to those around us and leave a lasting legacy.
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Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our reading, titled Legacy of Faith, was written by Lisa M. Samra. In 2019, research exploring the spiritual heritage of believers in Jesus in the United States revealed that mothers and grandmothers have a significant influence on spiritual development. Nearly two-thirds of people who claim a legacy of faith credited their mother, and one-third acknowledged that a grandparent, usually a grandmother, also played a significant role.
The report's editor remarked, Over and over, this study speaks to the enduring impact of mothers in spiritual development. It's an impact we also discover in Scripture. In Paul's letter to his protégé Timothy, he acknowledged that Timothy's faith was modeled to him by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. It's a delightful personal detail highlighting the impact of two women on one of the leaders of the early church. Their influence can also be seen in Paul's encouragement to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3. Continue in what you have learned, because from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. A strong spiritual heritage is a precious gift, but even if our upbringing lacked the kind of positive influences that helped form Timothy's faith, there are likely others in our life who've had a profound impact in helping to shape our spiritual development. Most important, we all have the opportunity to model sincere faith to those around us and leave a lasting legacy.
Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from 2 Timothy 1, verses 3 through 5. I thank God whom I serve as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience. As night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. 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. Let's pray. Father, thank you for the men and women that you place in our life that have modeled sincere faith and taught us to trust and follow you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Whisper: medium.en / 2022-12-15 20:28:52 / 2022-12-15 20:30:07 / 1
