CHILDHOOD BEGINNINGS

CHILDHOOD BEGINNINGS

READ:

2 Timothy 3:14-17

Even the Son of Man did

not come to be served,

but to serve. –Mark 10:45

Last summer, our church invited a young man to join the staff.  As Caleb shared how he grew up in Costa Rica while his family was serving Christ there, he reflected on the words of 2 Timothy 3:14-17.  From his childhood, he reminisced, he had known the Bible.  His mother and father had taught him the truths of the Scriptures that were “able to make [him] wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (v.15).  He acknowledged that his preparation to be a pastor had begun when he was still a child.

Our congregation had the opportunity to “meet” his family in Costa Rica via a video-conferencing call.  Caleb’s dad challenged his son using the words of Jesus about Himself in Mark 10:45.  He said, “Caleb, remember our family motto, ‘We are here to serve, not to be served,’”  It was easy to understand how this young man had developed his maturity of faith.

The children God has entrusted to us are precious gifts.  A good foundation will help them to develop into mature believers who are “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17).  With God’s help we can pass on the baton of faith to future generations.  What a great privilege to be servants like Jesus. –Cindy Hess Kasper

Begin to train them early

To fear and love the Lord,

To carry on life’s pathway

God’s lamp, His holy Word. –Fennema

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Children are God’s precious jewels-

help them shine for Christ.

INSIGHT

Today’s passage is familiar to many.  In verses 16-17 we read one of the most explicit statements of God’s role in the writing of Scripture.  Yet, as important as these verses are, we must not overlook the significance of the previous verses.  Paul tells Timothy that the Scriptures are able to make him “wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (v.15).  The Scriptures that Timothy read were what we now call the Old Testament.  The story of Jesus is not told only in the accounts of the Gospels or the New Testament-all of Scripture tells the message of Christ.

Have a blessed day.

God Our Creator’s Love Always

Unity & Peace