Family Legacy - 2 Timothy 1:1-5

Even though 2 Timothy is right after 1 Timothy and before many other Pauline epistles, it was the last letter that Paul wrote before he was executed. Paul was in prison in Rome, but unlike the first time he was a prisoner there, this time he was locked in a dungeon “in chains.” He Knew that his time in this life was coming to an end, so I would imagine that these are the most important words to Paul that he would have ever spoken. The IM comments, “While writing this epistle, Paul was expecting to be put to death shortly. This letter contains his reflections about the blessings and difficulties of serving as ‘a preacher, and an apostles, and a teacher of the Gentiles.’… As one who had ministered for Jesus Christ for over 30 years, Paul was in an excellent position to instruct Timothy on how to serve effectively in strengthening the faith of others.” 1:1-5 - Paul begins this letter the way he usually does, by introducing himself, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.” He notes who his audience is, “Timothy, my dearly beloved son.” Now wait a minute, Paul isn’t Timothy’s father. Correct, this is just Paul telling Timothy that he loves him like a son. Paul wishes that he could see Timothy, but he’s imprisoned right now, so visiting is more difficult, but he does think about him often and prays for him. Paul also notes that he thinks about Timothy’s childhood and the “unfeighned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice.” The article on this chapter from gospeldoctrine.com says, “The word ‘grandmother’ appears in the Bible but once- in connection with Lord, the grandmother of Timothy… The one verse in the Bible that mentions Lois and her daughter Eunice, Timothy’s mother, is surpassingly beautiful, illuminating not only the faith of Timothy but eloquently paints a picture of family fidelity for three generations.” The article also quotes Jeffrey R. Holland as teaching, “We given thanks for all mothers and grandmothers from whom such truths have been learned at such early ages.” Children’s acceptance of the gospel is a difficult concept because as believers, we want our children to believe as well and we usually take them to church and all that. I did that too, I took my kids to church, we did family home daytime, scripture study and prayers too, but here they are as teenagers and they hate church. My daughter even goes so far as to dislike specifically my church and I worried about what to do for a long time. Then for ward conference, my stake president taught “Don’t force your kids to go to church because they will come to resent you and have an adversarial relationship with the church because of it.” I was floored. I talked to him about what that meant and really thought a lot about what that counsel meant. Covid was really helpful in helping me figure out what to do, but now I don’t make my kids go. We don’t do scripture study together or FHE or rather I should say that they choose not to participate, so I do it in the time frame that’s best for me. But I’ve had so much peace in my home because I don’t push the issue and I respect their decision not to go to church. There is definitely an age at which that is appropriate, like I’d never let my 5 year old make that choice but 14 seems to be a reasonable age. I have more peace at home with my kids and more peace within myself about the decision and the eternal timetable of testimonies. My kids will ask me to pray for them when something is important or lost. I know that it’s unconventional, but I have no regrets and have peace in my home and a trust that Jesus has a plan for them in the same way that he has one for me. I have to trust that, and I do.