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Journal entries focus on the heart and motivation for World Christian parenting. Monthly articles written by key authors and ministry leaders offer wisdom and inspiration as you disciple your children and pursue intentionality in the midst of family life. Additional thoughts and devotionals written by Weave team members encourage you to draw near to Jesus for wisdom, strength, and grace as you navigate everyday realities and encounter situations you don’t feel equipped to deal with. Enlarge your vision for what God can do with ordinary families whose hearts and lives are yielded to Him.

The Timothy Example

Raising a child with a missional outlook can be a difficult task – a task that takes effort.

When looking for “how-tos,” let’s not forget to look at the Bible itself.  There we find the account of Timothy, a child who grew up with a definitive focus on missions.

Timothy grew up in the town of Lystra, an area in the highlands of what is now Turkey. The town was located on the Persian Royal Road, an ancient highway built in the 5th century B.C. because King Darius wanted a road that would enable travel through his massive empire. Couriers on horseback would travel the 1,677 miles in seven days – an unbelievable feat for the time.

Though we do not know too much about Timothy’s hometown, we do know that the city was a center for education and enlightenment. Even back then – hundreds of years ago – a place seen as a center for enlightenment was probably pushing the social mores of the time. We know that the people in Lystra worshipped many gods and when the Lord used Paul to heal a lame man, the people in Lystra believed that Paul and Barnabas were gods themselves.

Into this culture, Timothy was born to a Jewish mother, Eunice, and a Greek father. We do not read much about Timothy’s dad, but we do know Timothy was not circumcised in the Jewish tradition. Bible scholars think this was a result of the disinterest (or possibly pushback) from his father.

So Timothy was not born into the best of circumstances. He was raised in a society that worshipped a multitude of gods and in a home with a father who was not interested in the God of Israel.

Yet in the middle of this his mother faithfully taught him – with encouragement and support from his grandmother. Paul said Eunice and Lois had sincere faith that they passed on to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5).

Timothy’s training was based on Old Testament Scripture, what his Jewish mother and grandmother knew. The message of the cross was still comparatively new and had not yet reached Lystra yet. When Paul showed up in the city with the message of Christ, Timothy quickly responded. The foundation had been laid and his heart was ready – probably trusting Christ during Paul’s very first visit to the city.

Paul recognized Timothy’s heritage (2 Timothy 3:15). He also knew that Timothy understood that being a Christ-follower was not easy (2 Timothy 3:10-13). He encouraged and mentored Timothy and Timothy immediately began to live out what he believed.

Apparently some of the older adults did not like someone as young as Timothy teaching and sharing his faith. “Do not let others look down on you because of your age,” Paul told him. “You have a gift. Do not neglect it.” (1 Timothy 4:12-14). Timothy did not.

What can we, as parents, learn from Timothy’s upbringing?

What do our children need from us?

  1. Scriptural teaching. We can teach our kids Scripture and that’s all well and good, but we also need to teach them the meaning of Scripture. What does it mean to present ourselves a living sacrifice? (Romans 12:1) What does it mean to go into all the world? (Mark 16:15) What does it mean to serve wholeheartedly? (Ephesians 6:7)
  2. Mentoring. We need to continually teach our kids by our words and our behavior. Do they see us invite missionaries to our homes? Do they hear us pray for missionaries? Do they watch us give to missions?  Do they see us help set up a home for a refugee family? We mentor by our words and by what we do.
  3. Encouragement. Sometimes, as parents, we talk the talk, but when an opportunity presents itself, we discourage rather than encourage. We want our kids to help their youth group minister to the city, but not in THAT neighborhood. We dedicate out kids to the Lord, but are nervous that our 10-year-old has always talked about being a missionary to a far-away people group.  We need to encourage our kids, not discourage them.
  4. Service. We need to serve together with our kids.  One 10-year-old I know helps      her mom teach a class of preschool-aged refugees. Another family regularly invites international students (from a nearby college) to supper. The kids help clean, cook and serve. Meanwhile they are not only learning about different cultures, but seeing their parents reach out to the students.

Timothy is a great example of a child who developed a missional heart as a result of being spiritually nurtured at home. Let’s nurture our own kids well – and pray for the same result.

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