Believing Together in the Next Generation

Introduction/scripture

2 Timothy 1:5 NIV

I am 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.

Pray.

Introduction:

Today, on All Saints Day, we honor the saints who have gone before us—those faithful individuals who invested in us, teaching and showing us what it means to live a life of faith. The writer of Hebrews calls them a “great cloud of witnesses,” people who ran their race and who now cheer us on. And while we remember them, today is also an opportunity to consider how we, too, might leave a legacy of faith. How can we invest in the next generation so that our faith is alive in them?

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he speaks tenderly about a heritage of faith that began with Timothy’s grandmother Lois, then his mother Eunice, and now rests in Timothy himself. This wasn’t just family tradition; it was a true, lived-out faith that left a profound impact. The lesson here is not only about receiving faith but also about passing it along intentionally and with care.

1. The Gift of Faith Is Best Passed Down Through Personal Connection

Paul’s words remind us of a key truth: faith is caught as much as it is taught. Lois and Eunice didn’t simply tell Timothy about God; they showed him who God was through their lives, their prayers, their actions, and their commitment. Timothy received a legacy of faith that had been shaped by the love and life of his grandmother and mother.

As we think of the saints, both those recognized by the Church and those who influenced us personally—teachers, grandparents, friends, and mentors—let us remember that their most powerful legacy was not what they said, but who they were and how they lived. Faith becomes a treasure when we see it lived out authentically, when we know that those who have gone before us have faced doubts, struggles, and questions, yet held firmly to Christ.

David Covey:

Generational impact sharing faith. Suffering well

Al Derden: Generational impact sharing faith, teaching and shaping kids and grandkids

Don McCoy: intentionality with each child and showing the world what it looks like to pour into a marriage

Pat Fenton: · Teaching to cook

· kind of teaching to sew.

· Instilling values and modelling life.

· She was publically and overtly compassionate showing the heart of service

Mike Medved: never missed sports game, but he served with kids and students for 24 years, church camp and VBS every year

James Lumpkin used the guise of pumpkin bread to press into people’s lives. A man who lived by faith in a subtle and non-flashy way but the heart of a servant

Paul Rogerson: Gave away his truck to someone who needed it, served in the crisis center, ID ministry, Read with kids at Sam Houston, spend 2 years repairing someone’s house for them.

Beverly Murch: someone who few in our church knew. Her last years were tough and yet she sat in here weekly praying for our church and would anonymously write checks for kids going to camp and mission trips

2. Investing in the Next Generation Takes Consistency and Sacrifice

Passing on faith is a long journey. It isn’t just a one-time conversation or a weekly church attendance; it’s a consistent walk alongside those coming up behind us, sharing life, and helping them experience God’s faithfulness firsthand. Lois and Eunice invested years into Timothy. They were part of his spiritual formation and his growth.

It requires relationship. It requires proximity. It requires sacrifice. And not every kid has a Lois and a Eunice, but they can have a Paul. I want to share a story with you from camp this summer, where Jon Wagoner found an opportunity to invest in someone else. Jon said yes to investing in his children and investing in other children by going to camp…

Video

Lifeway research has found that the percentage of 8th graders that say religion is not important to them is nearing the same as seniors.

The research shows that most of church dropouts are coming in households that are Christian.

Stone concludes that “most nonreligious children are born into religious households and lose their faith while under the supervision of parents who believe that they are successfully transmitting their religious values.”

Household

church problem

Dad’s in the room: the odds of a teenager leaving the church is 1.27 times lower among those whose dad’s take faith seriously.

Church: the odds of a teenager dropping out who said three or more adults at church invested in them between 15 and 18 was 1.35 times lower than those who said there was only 1-2 investing in them.

3. Our Faith Is Not Just Our Own—It’s Part of a Larger Story

One of the most powerful lessons of All Saints Day is the reminder that our lives are woven into a larger tapestry of faith. Timothy’s faith journey was not isolated; it was part of a lineage that included Lois, Eunice, Paul, and countless others who followed after. And so it is with us. The faith we hold today was nurtured by the prayers, sacrifices, and faithfulness of those who came before us. It’s a beautiful, shared story.

Grandma’s bible

I mean think about it. We know nothing about Lois and Eunice. So cool that they get a shoutout here. Remember, Paul does not waste words. Maybe he is trying to remind Timothy of the deposit, the foundation. Maybe he is trying to remind him that what he has was never his and should be poured out to others.

Body of Christ theology: The arm does not exist for itself. Oh look I am an arm, the best are there has ever been. No the arm exists for the rest of the body. (This is where I would work in an aggie football illustration if that game was not the worst game ever). The arm exists for the rest of the body.

This is how spiritual giftings work

this is how generosity works

this is how faith works

We are called to continue this story, to link the past and the future by investing in the next generation, by making sure they know they are part of something larger than themselves—a legacy of faith that stretches back to the earliest disciples and now looks to them to carry it forward.

Living Saints for the Next Generation

Conclusion:

As we honor the saints today, let us remember that we, too, are called to be living saints—people who shine the light of Christ and share the truth of the Gospel. We can be “Loises” and “Eunices” for a generation that needs mentors, encouragers, and faithful examples. We can inspire them, not only with words but by a genuine and lived-out faith, showing them that following Christ is the way to true life.

So, on this All Saints Day, may we honor the legacy we have received by committing to pass it forward. May our lives testify to the love and grace of God, so that when others look at us, they may see a faith that is true, sincere, and worth passing on. Amen.