Heritage of Faith: Nurturing Spiritual Legacy Together
Summary
Today, we reflect on the importance of heritage and the legacy of faith, especially in the context of Mother's Day and Ascension Day. We began by reading from 2 Timothy 1:3-5, where Paul, imprisoned for the second time and aware that his time is short, writes to Timothy, the overseer of the church in Ephesus. Paul reminds Timothy of his sincere faith, which first lived in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. This passage underscores the significance of the faith passed down through generations and the role of parents, particularly mothers, in nurturing that faith ([40:08]).
Paul's letter to Timothy is a poignant reminder of the legacy we receive from our forebears. He emphasizes that the most formative people in our lives are often our parents. They shape our mannerisms, our values, and our faith. Even if we did not have parents who were people of faith, there are others in our lives who step in to fill that role. These "work moms" or mentors pour into us, guiding us and helping us make wise decisions ([45:10]).
Paul's message to Timothy is clear: he must carry on the faith and trust in what God is doing in him. This is a call to all of us to use the gifts and callings God has placed upon our lives for the future. We are reminded that while our parents and mentors play a crucial role in our spiritual formation, it is ultimately God who guides and directs us ([48:41]).
As we celebrate Mother's Day, we acknowledge that not everyone had a mother who imparted faith to them. Some may have had difficult relationships with their mothers or no relationship at all. However, there are always people who come into our lives and adopt us, pouring into us and helping us grow. These individuals, whether they are biological mothers or not, deserve our gratitude and recognition ([46:30]).
The responsibility of instilling faith into our children and leading them toward a life of faith is ours. It is not business acumen, financial smarts, psychological understanding, or education that will sustain them through life's hardships, but the gospel and God's presence in their lives. We must equip our children to go out into the world as contributors, not takers, and faith is the foundation that will carry them through ([50:46]).
In addition to Mother's Day, we also celebrate Ascension Day, remembering that Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father and continues to intercede for us. Jesus' ascension gave his disciples gifts, which are to be used for the purpose of building up the community of faith. As the body of Christ, we are called to take up the mission of the church and be a people, not just a place, in the world ([58:48]).
As we come to the table of the Lord, we are reminded of the legacy of faith given to us. Jesus' body and blood were given for us, and we are called to give ourselves for the world. This act of communion is a powerful reminder of our mission and the heritage of faith we are to pass on to our children and those around us ([59:37]).
Key Takeaways:
1. The Importance of Spiritual Heritage: Our parents and mentors play a crucial role in shaping our faith and values. Even if we did not have parents who were people of faith, God places others in our lives to guide and support us. This spiritual heritage is vital for our growth and development. [45:10]
2. Using Our Gifts for the Future: Paul reminds Timothy to use the gifts and callings God has placed upon his life for the future. This is a call to all of us to trust in what God is doing in us and to carry on the faith, using our gifts to serve and build up the community of faith. [48:41]
3. Equipping Our Children with Faith: It is our responsibility to instill faith in our children and prepare them for the real world. Faith, not worldly knowledge or skills, will sustain them through life's hardships. We must equip them to be contributors to the world, grounded in the gospel and God's presence. [50:46]
4. The Role of Mentors and Spiritual Parents: Not everyone has a biological mother who imparted faith to them, but God provides mentors and spiritual parents who step in to guide and support us. These individuals play a crucial role in our spiritual formation and deserve our gratitude and recognition. [46:30]
5. The Mission of the Church and the Legacy of Faith: As we celebrate Ascension Day, we are reminded of the gifts Jesus gave to his disciples and the mission of the church. We are called to be the body of Christ in the world, using our gifts to build up the community of faith and pass on the legacy of faith to our children and those around us. [58:48]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[13:21] - Praise to Christ the Son
[18:03] - Honoring Mothers
[36:57] - Morning Offering
[40:08] - Reading from 2 Timothy
[45:10] - The Role of Parents and Mentors
[48:41] - Using Our Gifts for the Future
[50:46] - Equipping Our Children with Faith
[58:48] - Ascension Day and the Mission of the Church
[59:37] - Communion and Legacy of Faith
[01:03:40] - Invitation to Communion
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 2 Timothy 1:3-5
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul remind Timothy of in 2 Timothy 1:3-5 regarding his faith and its origins?
2. According to the sermon, what role do parents and mentors play in shaping our faith and values? ([45:10])
3. How does Paul describe the faith that Timothy received from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice? ([43:11])
4. What is the significance of Ascension Day as mentioned in the sermon? ([52:48])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of Timothy's spiritual heritage in his letter? How does this relate to the broader theme of legacy in the sermon? ([40:08])
2. How can the gifts and callings that God has placed upon our lives be used to serve and build up the community of faith, as Paul instructs Timothy? ([48:41])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of mentors and spiritual parents for those who may not have had a biological mother who imparted faith to them? ([46:30])
4. How does the celebration of Ascension Day tie into the mission of the church and the legacy of faith we are to pass on? ([52:48])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual heritage. Who were the key figures that shaped your faith, and how did they influence you? How can you express gratitude to them this week? ([45:10])
2. Identify a gift or calling that you believe God has placed upon your life. How can you use this gift to serve your church community in the coming month? ([48:41])
3. If you are a parent, what specific steps can you take to instill faith in your children and prepare them for the real world? If you are not a parent, how can you mentor or support the younger generation in your church? ([50:46])
4. Think of a mentor or spiritual parent who has guided you in your faith journey. How can you show appreciation to them this week? ([46:30])
5. As we celebrate Ascension Day, what practical ways can you contribute to the mission of the church and help build up the community of faith? ([52:48])
6. Reflect on the act of communion and its significance as a reminder of the legacy of faith given to us. How can you embody this legacy in your daily life and interactions with others? ([59:37])
7. Consider someone in your life who may need spiritual guidance or support. How can you step into a mentoring role for them, similar to how Paul mentored Timothy? ([47:09])
Devotional
Day 1: The Significance of Spiritual Heritage
Our spiritual heritage is a vital part of our growth and development. Parents and mentors play a crucial role in shaping our faith and values. Even if we did not have parents who were people of faith, God places others in our lives to guide and support us. These individuals, whether they are biological parents or spiritual mentors, help us navigate our spiritual journey and instill in us the values and beliefs that form the foundation of our faith. This spiritual heritage is a gift that we must cherish and pass on to future generations. [45:10]
2 Timothy 1:3-5 (ESV): "I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 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."
Reflection: Think about the people who have played a significant role in your spiritual journey. How can you show your gratitude to them today, and how can you continue their legacy of faith in your own life?
Day 2: Using Our Gifts for the Future
Paul's reminder to Timothy to use the gifts and callings God has placed upon his life is a call to all of us. We are encouraged to trust in what God is doing in us and to carry on the faith. Our gifts and talents are not just for our benefit but are meant to serve and build up the community of faith. By using our gifts, we contribute to the mission of the church and help others grow in their faith. This is a powerful reminder that our lives have a purpose, and we are called to make a difference in the world. [48:41]
1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: What gifts and talents has God given you? How can you use them to serve others and build up the community of faith this week?
Day 3: Equipping Our Children with Faith
It is our responsibility to instill faith in our children and prepare them for the real world. Faith, not worldly knowledge or skills, will sustain them through life's hardships. We must equip them to be contributors to the world, grounded in the gospel and God's presence. This involves teaching them the importance of faith, modeling a life of faith, and providing them with opportunities to grow spiritually. By doing so, we help them develop a strong foundation that will carry them through the challenges of life. [50:46]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 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."
Reflection: How are you currently instilling faith in your children or the young people in your life? What is one new way you can help them grow spiritually this week?
Day 4: The Role of Mentors and Spiritual Parents
Not everyone has a biological mother who imparted faith to them, but God provides mentors and spiritual parents who step in to guide and support us. These individuals play a crucial role in our spiritual formation and deserve our gratitude and recognition. They help us navigate our faith journey, provide wisdom and encouragement, and model a life of faith. By acknowledging and appreciating their contributions, we honor their role in our lives and recognize the importance of community in our spiritual growth. [46:30]
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (ESV): "But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."
Reflection: Who are the mentors and spiritual parents in your life? How can you express your gratitude to them and acknowledge their impact on your spiritual journey today?
Day 5: The Mission of the Church and the Legacy of Faith
As we celebrate Ascension Day, we are reminded of the gifts Jesus gave to his disciples and the mission of the church. We are called to be the body of Christ in the world, using our gifts to build up the community of faith and pass on the legacy of faith to our children and those around us. This involves actively participating in the mission of the church, serving others, and sharing the gospel. By doing so, we continue the work of Jesus and contribute to the growth and strength of the community of faith. [58:48]
Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
Reflection: How are you currently participating in the mission of the church? What is one specific way you can use your gifts to build up the community of faith and pass on the legacy of faith this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The funny thing is none of us have a choice about whether or not we're going to be formed spiritually. All of us will be formed spiritually. We don't get to make that choice. The choice that we make is what will form us. Whether it's faith, it's consumption, whether it's materialism, whether it's greed, or all manner of immorality, something will form us." [55:55]
2. "Moms have one of the hardest times. One of the hardest jobs in the world. They have to release their children out into the world. That's hard. Because moms want to just keep them home. They want their babies to stay home with them, and they want them to do that, but they know that what is best for their children is to go out into the world, to make their way into it." [54:54]
3. "The object of raising children is to send them out into the world, not have them come back with more children. You want them to go and to be, and to succeed, and to make a life for themselves. And there is no better way to ensure that than by instilling faith into them." [50:46]
4. "Heritage is important. Something that's passed down from generation to generation. And although it's Mother's Day, I'm very cognizant that maybe not all of us had a mother's day. Maybe not all of us had mothers who imparted this to us. Maybe they weren't people of faith. Maybe we have a bad relationship with our mother. Maybe we have no relationship at all." [46:30]
5. "What I love about this, that Mother's Day, and Ascension Sunday ties in together, they dovetail nicely because it's both about heritage. Jesus gives us this commission as followers of Christ, as Christians, and we as parents, and especially moms, hand that to our children. We lead them to it. We point them toward it. Even when some of them walk a different path, we trust that God will guide them in his time." [54:09]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Most formative people in our lives are our parents. There's no one else that has quite the impact that our parents do in our lives, so much so that people who know our parents and see us will often remark that our mannerisms, and our looks are after one or both parents. You ever see that happen? When my, bless his heart, when people encounter my son, they know exactly who he is. They say, oh, we know your dad. You act just like him." [45:10]
2. "Paul does that here. He knows that his time is short, and so he passes on this legacy to Timothy. He tells him by saying, look back at what you've received, and use that to look forward to what's ahead. Beginning in verse six, he says this. For this reason, because of your heritage, I remind you to fan and to flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." [48:41]
3. "The responsibility of instilling faith into our children and leading them toward that is ours and ours alone, primarily. They are going out into a world that cares little for the gospel, though it needs it desperately. And we are called to equip them to be able to go out into life." [50:12]
4. "In addition to Mother's Day, today in the Christian calendar is also Ascension Day. It's a day that we celebrate the ascension of Jesus Christ. It's a day that we remember that he goes to the right hand of the Father and intercedes for us as continuing to work on our behalf to bring about the whole remaking of creation. And we have a part in that." [52:48]
5. "May God give us the grace to pass on a spiritual heritage a sincere faith for our children that as they watch us they wouldn't so much get our knowledge but they would see our action and model their life in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." [56:44]
6. "Though we cannot make our children believe in the gospel or take up the faith because you don't inherit faith, we can lead them to it. One of the reasons that confirmation is so important and one of the reasons that I think it should be really, really emphasized even more everywhere, is that we can't just say, this wonderful moment in time, a rite of passage where young men and young women make the choice to claim the faith for themselves." [52:02]
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