Daily Devotionals

Generational Faith

Posted in Faithfulness

Scripture: “I have been 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.” – 2 Timothy 1:5

Paul is writing to Timothy, a true son in the faith. He longs to see him. He knows Timothy’s family. His grandmother, Lois, made a foundational faith choice in her life, and she devotedly modeled that faith to her daughter, Eunice.

Having always known faith, Eunice could easily have taken that faith legacy for granted. It takes far less effort to sustain an ongoing faith than to first acquire and maintain a household of faith, but it is no less important for being second generation. Eunice did not take the faith legacy lightly. She lived her faith and implanted the word of God into Timothy. As a third-generation believer, he then carried it forward.

Faith that is transmitted by one generation planting into the next generation is not a stagnant faith but a living faith. It is a demonstrated faith. Timothy saw it demonstrated at his grandmother’s house. Lois and Eunice were faithful stewards working in Timothy’s life to build that foundation. Lois’ faith began long before Timothy. What Lois put into Eunice, Eunice put into Timothy.

Lois’ grandson would forever be noted in God’s Word, and her name was not left out. It is because of Paul’s second letter to Timothy that we know about Lois and Eunice. Timothy got to travel with and be mentored by the Apostle Paul himself! Entering into the labor of others, Timothy later became pastor of the church at Ephesus.

The invitation to have a relationship with the Creator of the universe is a high honor given neither to angels in heaven nor any other animal on earth, but to humans only.

You can’t float to faith. Living faith comes from purposeful choices. Previous generations can encourage you, but the choice is yours. You must own your own faith. You must go after it. You can be a strong link in a faith chain that does not break, but instead continues linking others into the chain. 

What has God started in your family long ago? Who has been working on your faith foundation? Don’t ignore that legacy. Receive what has been put into you. As the next generation of faith, honor the faith and go forward eagerly and with purpose into whatever God has for you. If you have no one doing that, you can decide to be the first to prepare the way for future generations to embrace a living faith.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the “Loises” and “Eunices” in our lives today that implant in us their legacy of faith. Help us to see, embrace and carry forward that legacy for ourselves. Help us to help others come to know you in the special relationship you desire for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Submitted by Claire Smith