History: This is Paul’s final charge to Timothy, a young minister of the Gospel. Paul had been his mentor, the person who discipled him. Timothy was like a son to Paul. But what Paul emphasizes most is what Timothy had learned from his Grandmother and mother, he must hold onto. They were his family and they had taught Timothy to trust Jesus.

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.

1 Timothy 1:5 NIV

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

It was Timothy’s Grandmother and mother who had instructed him in the faith as well as Paul.

Illustration of my Grandmother and Mother...

Occasionally I would stay at my grandparents home in Jamestown ND. in the Evening, my grandmother made it a point to make sure we all sat down and read daily bread and prayed. Of course as a small boy, I can honestly say I didn’t really appreciate it most of the time. However, looking back, I also know that she was demonstrating for those around her the importance of spending time with God in Bible reading and prayer.

That’s the way it was for Timothy… His Grandmother and mother were very instrumental in his faith journey. They demonstrated the importance of knowing the scriptures.

I look back at the influence of my own parent and how they shaped me and encouraged me in my spiritual journey.

After my first year of college I bought a plaque for my parents home. It read, “Jesus is the head of this household.” My mother proudly placed it so it could be seen and read by everyone who entered our home.

Both my parents loved the Lord and made it their goal to teach me and my three siblings what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

In todays text we read what is needed at the core of any family for it to be everything that God created the family to be… The Bible.

The Fortitude of the Family

Another way to look at this is “The Strength of the Family”

What is the core strength of your family?

According to Pew research, 87% of all households own a Bible. The question is, how many read it. 32 % do not read the Bible. However, Pew research states that there is a growing positive attitude towards the Bible.

When does the influence and importance of the Bible begin?

The fortitude of the family begin in “Infancy”

2 Timothy 3:15 NIV

and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

One of the first things we did with our children was read to them as early as possible. We made it a point to purchase infant friendly Bible readings. Every night before bed time we would read to them and it often included stories from the Bible…

The reading of the Bible will make your children as well as yourself, “Wise” unto ‘Salvation’

One of the things I’ve read and heard about is that there is no longer a premise for the need of salvation. In other words, in most recent generations, particularly Millennial (those born after the year 2000) do not understand the concept of sin and that sin separates us from God. They, like many generations before them have grown to believe that basically everyone is good. If this is true, then for most people today, there is no need for the Bible. But when we do READ the Bible, we discover the greatness of God and the evil of humanity.

The Bible says, “All of sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” . In

Romans 3:23 NIV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Isaiah 64:6 NIV

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

This verse is one that changed the course of my life. When I learned this as a child, it made me aware of my sinful actions and caused me to seek a way in which I would no longer live unrighteously. It’s when I began to see that I needed a savior based on what the Bible says, that I became a follower of Jesus. Even then, i know that i can so easily be bent towards sin, but by God’s Spirit and grace, he leads me into a way of everlasting love and forgiveness.

Begin at infancy… use the Bible to direct your life and the life of your family. It will never leave them. Yes, some will doubt it in later years; some will turn from the God it teaches about; but many will remain influenced by it and what we hope for in regard to those nearest to us, is that they will turn to God before they take their last breath.

It was in college when I first learned

Joshua 1:8 NIV

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

My first response was to be prosperous and successful. but when you look at those words you will begin to realize what God means by those two words...

to be Prosperous => is to ‘Advance’ to ‘Cut through’ to be victorious. in relationship to what God called Joshua to do, he would be prosperous as he lead the people of Israel … this did not mean he would gain wealth, it meant, you will accomplish what you were intended to accomplish and for what i chose and called you to do… lead the people of Israel.

To be Successful => is to have understanding of what needs to be done; to have insight as to what to do.

Remember when the Israelites defeated the city of Jericho? Every thing went as planned. However, the next city that stood in the way of entering the promise land was “Ai” we find the historical record in it begins by saying

Joshua 7:1 NIV

But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.

They failed in taking the city of Ai… God revealed to Joshua why and then set them on their way once the sin had been taken care of. Joshua was given insight, which led to success.

That’s what following God and His word will do for you. It will give you prosperity, being victorious in your walk with God and successful in what you need to be successful in because you trust in God!

The fortitude of the family begin in infancy. It includes the Holy scriptures.

The scriptures make you ‘wise’ for salvation...

Deuteronomy 4:5–6 NIV

See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

The same wisdom that the Israelites found in the commands God had given to them, which caused others to see what a great nation they would become under God’s Authority and leadership, is the same wisdom that lead us to know Salvation through Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:12 NIV

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Some people would say this is a very narrow minded view and way. However, we must go to the teachings of Jesus and hear what he said about the way to heaven.

First he said,

John 14:6 NIV

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Secondly Jesus said,

Matthew 7:14 NIV

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:13–14 NIV

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Then Jesus says, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Many people will be deceived by these false prophets and teachers. they will not teach the true way of salvation.

Timothy was a blessed young man… First his grandmother, then his mother, and then Paul, all taught him the way of God through the scriptures, the very words of God.

Psalm 119:9–11 NIV

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

The Fortitude of the Family; The Strength of the Family is found in the Word of God because it is the very breath of God that has spoken into the Families life.

2 Peter 1:20–21 NIV

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

All that God says to you as a family is “Useful”

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NIV

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

It has a purpose for you! It is for your benefit!

Teaching

Rebuking

Correcting

Training

Teaching - Provide instruction, formally and informally. In we are instructed to teach our children...

Rebuking - meaning there are some things that are not allowed. In other words, sometime a parent needs to simply say ‘NO’ Sometimes the parent simply needs to be told ‘NO’

Correcting - There are times when a person simply needs to be corrected! They do not understand that what they are doing is harmful or dangerous… Like playing with matches or in fire.

Training - a process in developing proper methods or habits

In relationship to life, God is talking about living a life of ‘Righteousness’

Deuteronomy 29:29 NIV

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

What is all this for? To be properly equipped for every good work.

As we begin our series on the Home, let’s begin by asking ourselves What place does the reading of God’s word have in your household?

Is it something you share together in as a family?

Are you children seeing the importance of God in your daily walk through the reading of the Bible?

Are you personally spending time with God in his word, listening to what he says?

A simple way to begin is to use something like Daily Bread...

Another way is to use the memory verses that we place on the connection card each week and place it where you see it often during the day and simply read it.

Take time to read the Bible to your children… understanding their attention span but giving them something that will give them encouragement and hope.

The Bible gives us hope, because God is our hope.

The Bible gives us encouragement

The Bible helps us to identify with the depth of God’s love and that by faith we become his children and he loves us very much.

As husbands and wives, Dads and Moms, take an inventory of your time together with God… where does it fit into our lives together. As parents, are you taking the time to be together; spend time in God’s word with your family.

Clint Harper - Harper Design Co. - Family First.