The only time Timothy’s grandmother Lois is mentioned in the Bible is that she passed on her faith to her daughter and grandson. Paul writes that she was a godly grandmother and gives us a glimpse of what caused Timothy to become a godly man, serving the Lord with Paul and writing two books of the Bible. It appears that Paul was his spiritual father.

When Timothy left his home to travel with Paul and minister in the churches, he left with his own faith, not his mother or his grandmother’s. As believing grandparents that should be our goal. Our children and grandchildren do not inherit our faith but we can pray they will accept our faith, grow in their relationship with the Lord and pass it on to their future generations.

“Eunice and Lois must have rejoiced as they saw Paul’s mantle fall upon this much-loved young man. Never let anyone say that family religion is not of importance. . . And never let anyone try to tell you that an inheritance of godly traditions cannot be passed on.” ?

Today’s children need a model to follow of those who have gone before them of not just surviving but overcoming in the journey of life. I am very grateful that I have had the privilege of having a godly faith passed down to me by those who have gone before me. If you are a first generation believer in Jesus Christ, you have the opportunity to pass on your faith to your future generations.

Let us pray that we as grandparents will pray intentionally and nurture our grandchildren, and model a godly life before them so they will pass a godly faith to their generation.

?  Helen Kooiman Hosier, Living the Lois Legacy, (Wheaton, IL, Tyndale House, 2002), p 5.

© Lillian Penner 2010