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Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas 
“Legacy” is defined as a long-lasting impact of action. We all have a legacy that goes in two directions: influence on us from those who went before us, and our influence on those who come along behind us.
Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV), “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”
Not everyone has a parent or grandparent to lead them. We need to be watchful for those we can help.
2 Timothy 2:2 is important in our walk of faith; it tells us to share what we know. “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” Our legacy of faith is an ongoing chain where one shares what he learns, then that person shares with someone else… and the message continues to spread.
Think about how you learned to cook. For many of us, we were taught by a mother or grandmother, and when we had children, we taught them (and maybe some of their friends). Now we see our children teaching their children to cook. In our family, my grandchildren enjoy a pound cake recipe that goes back to my grandmother who married in 1913.
Our faith grows as we interact with those who have gone before us. Ask questions about how they came to faith or the special people who influenced them. Listening to others is an important part of inheriting a legacy of faith.
As we pass down that legacy, it is not always necessary to sit down with a Bible to teach. When you teach someone to bake a cake, mention Elijah and the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17. When you turn on the faucet for water, talk about Rebecca drawing water for Abraham’s servant’s camels in Genesis 24. Short, simple comments plant the seed for more in-depth study.
My grandmother was blind from the time I was 10, but she could relate beautiful word pictures. She and Grandad always got to know the children in the neighborhood where they lived, especially the “unchurched,” and when these children would come over for homemade cookies and milk, my grandparents would tell them Bible stories. Some of these children are now preachers, elders, deacons, and Bible class teachers.
Opportunities to share our faith are all around us. The Bible is full of everyday events that tell of God’s Message, and we can use similar times in our lives to connect with that message.
We have been given a beautiful story… One more important than the trivial conversations we often have.
The simple story we need to be able to share has these highlights:
- There is one God who created the world, including man.
- Man sinned, destroying his relationship with God.
- God loved man… Genesis 3 contains the first prophecy of a Redeemer to restore that relationship.
- Over 800 Old Testament prophesies tell of the coming Messiah.
- Jesus the Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life, was crucified, buried, and rose on the 3rd day. He returned to His Father until the time when He will come back to take us home with Him to the Father.
- Faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God is the beginning of our relationship with God.
- Repentance and immersion for the remission of sins follow as demonstrations of that faith.
- Continuing to live a faithful life takes us home to God.
In Deuteronomy 6:7, the Israelites are told, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Sharing our legacy of faith is part of daily life.
Some of Jesus’ last words to His apostles were in Matthew 28:20, “…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
If the message is in our hearts, it is easy to be aware of times to share the good news. Let’s be sure we do!
Written by Brenda Davis, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas 
Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. (Deut. 4:9 NIV)
While barely mentioned in the New Testament, two Christian women, Lois and Eunice, were no doubt familiar with this scripture due to their Jewish heritage. It is evident that they practiced this teaching because we read of the influence they had on their grandson/son, Timothy, one of the most impactful missionary preachers in the early church. Here are the only two passages that mention these women:
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. (2 Tim. 1:5)
Now Paul also came to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, and he was well spoken of by the brothers and sisters who were in Lystra and Iconium. (Acts 16:1)
If only we knew more about the specifics of how they raised Timothy. Did they give him time out when he misbehaved? Did he have a curfew? Did they make him go to church when he didn’t want to? We can be sure that, like us, they were not perfect as grandmother and mother. But we know that despite their imperfections they were successful in raising someone who chose to devote his life to Christ and His church, as we read in 1 Corinthians 4:17.
So, what can we learn from these women? We learn that the relationship between us and our children and grandchildren is incredibly impactful—even essential—to their spiritual upbringing. We also learn that even if our spouse is not a believer, we can still have a relationship that results in blessing these young souls. Acts 16:1-2 tells us that while his father was a Greek unbeliever, Timothy’s mother was still successful in teaching him about Christ.
It is universally agreed that the relationship between a mother and child is important. But there are also multiple verses and examples in the Bible that show us the importance of grandparents and the positive and negative results of this relationship. Whether we live near, or even with, our children or grandchildren, or clear across the country or the world, we are still called to maintain a relationship that will strengthen their relationship with the Lord. Author Mickey Elliott says, “It is the grandparent's responsibility to encourage, love, bring peace and unity. Never speak negatively about either parent to the grandchildren, but always encourage love, forgiveness, unselfishness, and understanding.”
How can we build and maintain these influential relationships?
- By example - living out our faith in words and actions.
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household. (1 Tim. 5:4 ESV)
Our children and grandchildren observe how we treat and serve others, how we react to life’s events, and whether or not we are striving to be like Jesus.
- By teaching - sharing God’s Word from day one at every little opportunity.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. (2 Tim. 3:14-15 NIV)
Take advantage of “teachable moments,” sharing Biblical truths in everyday situations. This can be as simple as replacing, “What a beautiful day,” with “What a beautiful day God made for us,” as you look out the window together.
- By praying - unceasingly taking them before the throne of grace.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phil. 4:6-7)
Pray with and for them—their health, their choice of friends, their future spouses, and protection from the tempter.
An unknown writer has said, “Having [kids and] grandkids is a blessing. Helping to shape their lives is an honor,” and Scripture supports this statement. I particularly like the Contemporary English Version’s rendition of Psalm 127:4-5, “Having a lot of children to take care of you in your old age is like a warrior with a lot of arrows. The more you have, the better off you will be.” And Proverbs 17:6 (NLT) tells us that “grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged.”
May we all be mindful of the spiritual legacy we will leave our children and grandchildren.
