Message
2 Timothy 3:14-15
“Knowing The Scripture From Infancy”
Anyone who has had children, or who has been in a contact regularly with children, know how fast children grow and learn.
One day they are cute bundles of joy who can’t roll over.
The next they are rolling off the change table and you need to catch them.
And then …
When they start showing all this capacity as older people we start teaching them more.
We read them books and make all the animal noises.
We get them to push cars and throw balls.
When they can stand we hold their hands and walk behind them and encourage them to walk.
There is all this encouragement … from really young … to encourage them to grow and learn and mature.
Which is really great. And right to do.
And such being the case
… that we see that they can learn and grow and develop from a young age.
... that being the case we should also take this as an encouragement to deliberately develop the spiritual life of our young people … even the really young people … from an early age.
That is not just a good suggest from your pastor.
The call to develop the spiritual life of young people, even really young people, is a call clearly found in the Scripture.
It was a call that Eunice heard, and obeyed, with respect to her son Timothy.
Let’s read a few verses from 2 Timothy, which is written by the apostle Paul.
5 I am reminded (Timothy) 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
14 But as for you (Timothy), continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:14-15
Let’s think about the home in which Timothy grew up.
The birth-town of Timothy is Lystra. You can see from the map there that Lystra is in modern day Turkey. So Lystra is a Greek-Roman town. The Gospel has only recently come there.
So how is it that Timothy, who is brought up in the Scripture, came to be living in a Greek town?
The answer is in Acts 16:1-3
1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Just think about that for a moment.
Here is a family of mixed spiritual origin.
Timothy’s father is a Greek … the fact that Timothy is not circumcised tells us that Timothy’s father was not a convert to Judaism.
Like so many Greeks Timothy’s father would have worshipped multiple gods … including the living “god” Caesar.
How is it that a faithful Jewish woman
… we know she is faithful because her mother is also a devout Jew.
… how is it that this faithful woman is married to a Greek gentile?
Well we have no idea.
But life is complicated isn’t it.
So here is Eunice with her son Timothy …
In a Greek town which doesn’t even have a synagogue.
In a house where the patriarch doesn’t have a Jewish faith.
And from infancy Eunice teaches Timothy the Scriptures.
Picture that situation from about 2000 years ago.
… …
When you stop and think about the circumstances it is a powerful picture.
Eunice, with the help of her mother Lois, are going to make sure that the physical growth time and learning time of Timothy is also going to be a time of Spiritual growth.
Why does Eunice do this? Because of a Scripture truth.
God wants us to know him from infancy and he has a plan for us from infancy.
Here are some verses from Scripture which confirm this.
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Psalm 139:13-16
In my mother’s womb I know your works – God wants us to know him from infancy.
All the days were written – God has a plan for us from infancy.
14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
1 Corinthians 7:14
There is a lot in this verse that causes great discussion.
But here are two observations.
Firstly … isn’t this the situation of Eunice … standing by her unbelieving husband. He may have become a believer later, but in the infancy time she definitely spiritually raised Timothy on her own.
Secondly look at the language applied to the children in such a circumstance … they are “holy”. To be holy is to be set apart for service … like the items in the temple which where “holy” and therefore used employed in sacred service. God has a plan … from infancy.
God has a plan. Where do we find that plan? … In the Scriptures.
How do our infants and young people discover that plan?
We … adults … church .. parents … older believers.
We, from when our children are infants, listen to the call to develop the spiritual life of our young people from an early age.
That might mean taking the time when they go to bed to sit on their bed. To read a children’s Bible. To pray with them.
That might mean taking the time as a family at dinner. To have a Bible at the table. To read together. To talk together.
That might mean when you are out and about looking at the stars saying to your child, “Look at what God has made.”
You tell them that Jesus loves them.
You teach them what the Bible calls us to do.
You live as an example.
Limiting the tv shows they watch and absorb.
Protecting them from situations which can bring confusion.
Showing Christian discipleship.
From when they are infants.
Why do you do that?
Because every life will have a plan … an unfolding plan.
And if you don’t unfold God’s plan in their life – then another plan will just unfold.
A different plan.
That is hard isn’t it.
Christian parenting is hard.
Christian parenting as a single parent … or a spiritually single parent is even harder.
We live in a world where everything stands against Christianity.
But in the difficulty here is God calling out to us.
And reminding is that we are not doing this in our own strength.
God wants us to know HIM from infancy and HE has a plan for us from infancy.
We should never under-estimate the power of that plan.
Years ago, when I was a just-out-of-college wet-behind-the-ears pastor, I was asked to lead a week’s worth of morning devotions at a Christian addiction rehabilitation facility.
The facility was set up for farming and teaching various skills.
Many of the participants were people, who had come to know Jesus, but they were still battling with the addiction.
Through the week I asked a couple of them each morning to briefly share their testimony.
In the last day I shared my testimony … which basically went … I grew up in a Christian home and knew Jesus when I was 12, and have married a lovely Christian woman and trained in a Christian Theological College and now I work full time in a Christian church.
Then I said something like this. “The testimonies that I have heard this week are so powerful. They have been a reminder to me … and I am sure they would be a great encouragement and reminder to others … of the power of Jesus to transform lives.”
Then one of the participants said this:-
“I would trade all of the testimonies here in this room, just to have your testimony. I have been through so much pain. I carry so much guilt and shame. I have broken so may many people. I would give anything to have known Jesus from when I was a child.”
Do you hear that person’s heart?
They eventually found the plan of God for their lives.
But being surrounded by people who help you to know that plan from infancy.
What a blessing.
And what a privilege to be given that calling.
And what a responsibility.
It is not easy.
Building faith into the next generation and helping them to see that God wants these young people to know him … and God wants them to understand that he has a plan for them.
It is not easy …
Which is why we as a church community all need to be committed to our young people and their spiritual development.
14 But as for you (Timothy), continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,
2 Timothy 3:14
Lois and Eunice were an important part of the spiritual development of Timothy. But so were so many others.
Again let me show you some verses.
We have seen these verses already.
2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of (Timothy). 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
Acts 16:2-3
Lystra and Iconium were about 32km apart … at that time this represented about a 1 day journey.
These two churches together have been supporting Eunice in her teaching and they have been investing into Timothy.
Eunice may not have been getting much support from her husband.
But the church … the people of God … they were making sure that Timothy was encouraged and developed.
So much so that when Paul comes to town for the second time the believers in the churches there approach Paul and basically say, “This young man is a great young man”.
Then Paul continues the learning … by bringing Timothy onto the next leg of the missionary journey.
And Paul is just so blessed by this.
16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love
1 Corinthians 4:16-17
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon … 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
Philippians 2:19-22
What an encouragement to Timothy.
To have a community see him from day-to-day and then commend his work.
To have a community support and build and nurture.
To have Paul continue to nurture.
It is so important.
Tim sent me a picture a couple of Sunday’s ago.
What do you see there?
Yes … we see boys being boys.
But don’t you also see boys seeing what it means to be men.
We celebrated the Sisterhood Ministry a couple of Sundays ago.
The young ladies were giving their testimony.
And they were sharing about the impact of the sisterhood mentoring.
Seeing what it is to be young women of God.
That is what we commit ourselves to.
That is church.
Today being here and seeing Charl and Lynette make the commitment to do all they can under the grace of God to teach … and live … and show … what it means to love Jesus.
To have the Bible as the foundation of their home.
But us also
… not just here in our church.
… but the other Christian family and friends who are also here.
… us as church
Working together in community to fulfil the call to develop the spiritual life of young people, so that our young people … even the very youngest … see.
… see in our actions.
… see in our words.
… see in our homes.
… see in our church.
… see in the struggles and the difficulties and the doubts.
… see in the blessings and the financial stability and in the joy.
That our young people see that God wants us to know him from infancy and he has a plan for us from infancy.
Can we do this?
In our own strength we cannot.
As parents we make mistakes … and we are poor examples at times … we’re sinners.
As the community of faith … yes God has redeemed us … but we are redeemed sinners.
Jesus speaks to us in the same why he spoke to the church in 1 John
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
1 John 1:8-10
We need to know this.
And we know that there are adults who were young people in Christian homes … but who now to not confess Jesus is Lord.
And we know that, even when our children come to faith, ultimately that is God’s grace, not our ability, or teaching, or home environment.
Jesus needs to work in the hearts of our children.
Jesus needs to bring them to a point where they commit themselves to His lordship.
It is a grace … all grace … and nothing but grace … kingdom outcome.
But … Jesus works through family.
And Jesus works through community.
And Jesus himself encourages to be proactive … and involved … and to see this as a calling in each of our lives.
For isn’t it Jesus who:-
36 .… took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them,37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Mark 9:36-37
What better way to welcome the little ones then then show them how much Jesus loves them and how important they are to Jesus.
And isn’t it Jesus who says:-
14 … “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Mark 10:14
If they belong to the kingdom then is must be our calling to teach them and some them from the Scripture how they can belong.
And when the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
If the children are the greatest … then we have a call to give them what the greatest kingdom members deserve.
Yes … it is by God’s grace.
But … there is a call to obedience for all of us.
Eunice was obedient. And look what happens.
13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea.
Acts 17:13-14
Timothy stays in the place where people are agitated … and Paul moves on.
21 After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” 22 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.
Acts 19:21-22
Here is Timothy in another town … now perhaps leading the team because his name is first.
16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
1 Corinthians 4:16-17
If you know anything about Corinth you know it is a difficult place to minister in … indeed even Paul struggled there. But here is Timothy.
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.
Philippians 2:19-24
So he ministers in Philippi.
1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-2
And he ministers to the Thessalonians.
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer.
1 Timothy 1:3
And he ministered in Ephesus
And Paul confirms that a key reason for this is that Eunice taught Timothy from infancy to know the Holy Scriptures which resulted in Paul being persuaded that Timothy now has a sincere faith, which first lived in his grandmother and mother.
Lois and Eunice who lived in obedience to the call to commit to the spiritual development of Timothy so that Timothy could know that God wanted Timothy know HIM from infancy and that God has a plan for Timothy from infancy.
Let’s be obedient to the call.
That all our young people can know that God wants them to know HIM from infancy and that HE has a plan for all of them from infancy.
And years from now Renee will share her testimony.
… and the other young people from our congregation will share their testimony.
And the testimony will basically be.
My Dad and Mum are Christians … and so are my grand-parents.
I grew up in a Christian home and was supported by a great Christian church and I knew Jesus when I was 12.
I grew up and married a lovely Christian person.
And we now serve in our church
And the people who hear that testimony will say:-
How blessed you are to have known the holy Scriptures from infancy … and to know from so young that God has a plan for you.
Prayer
