Rekindling Faith: A Legacy of Hope and Community

Devotional

Day 1: Rekindling the Faith Passed Down to Us

Faith is not something we generate on our own; it is a gift that is handed down through generations—parents, grandparents, mentors, and church communities all make deposits into our spiritual lives. Reflecting on those who have shaped our faith helps us remember the roots of our belief and inspires us to carry forward their legacy. We are called to rekindle this faith, to fan it into flame, especially when it feels like it has grown dim, trusting that God’s Spirit is at work in us just as it was in those who came before. [16:26]

2 Timothy 1:5-7 (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. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Reflection: Who are the people who have made deposits of faith in your life, and how can you honor their legacy by intentionally passing faith on to someone else this week?

Day 2: Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed

Even the smallest amount of faith can have a profound impact; Jesus teaches that faith, no matter how tiny, is powerful enough to move what seems immovable. We are reminded that it is not the size of our faith that matters, but the greatness of the God in whom we trust. When we feel inadequate or weak, we can still act in faith, trusting that God will work through us in ways we cannot imagine. [15:15]

Luke 17:5-10 (ESV)
"The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' And the Lord said, 'If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it would obey you. Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, "Come at once and recline at table"? Will he not rather say to him, "Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink"? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty."'"

Reflection: What is one small act of faith you can take today, trusting God to use it for His purposes, even if it feels insignificant?

Day 3: God’s Power in Our Weakness

God often works most powerfully when we feel weakest or most defeated; the story of the cross and resurrection shows that what looks like failure or loss can become the very place where God brings new life. When we face setbacks, disappointments, or moments of despair, we are invited to trust that God is still at work, using our struggles to accomplish His greater purposes. [24:30]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: Where do you feel weak or discouraged right now, and how might you invite God to show His strength in that very place?

Day 4: Choosing Hope Over Despair

In times when the world or the church seems to be faltering, we are faced with a choice: to give in to despair or to choose hope. Hope is not passive; it leads us to action, to boldness, and to investing in the future of the church and the next generation. By choosing hope, we participate in God’s ongoing work and become agents of renewal and encouragement for others. [26:42]

Romans 15:13 (ESV)
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

Reflection: What is one concrete way you can choose hope and take action for the good of your church or community this week?

Day 5: Passing the Faith to the Next Generation

The responsibility of nurturing faith does not rest on families alone; it is the calling of the whole congregation to invest in, pray for, and encourage the next generation. When we share our stories, pray for one another, and build relationships across generations, we embody the living faith that has been entrusted to us and ensure its vitality for years to come. [29:42]

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: Who is one younger person in your church or community you can encourage, pray for, or connect with this week to help nurture their faith?

Sermon Summary

Faith is not something we create on our own; it is a gift passed down through generations, shaped by the lives and examples of those who have gone before us. Each of us carries a unique faith history, a tapestry woven from the prayers, teachings, and sacrifices of mothers, fathers, grandparents, pastors, and church communities. These deposits of faith are not just memories—they are living legacies that shape how we follow Jesus today. Reflecting on my own journey, I see how my mother’s earnest seeking, my grandmother’s generosity and prayerfulness, and the character of each congregation I’ve served have all left their mark on my faith.

Paul’s letter to Timothy, written from a prison cell, reminds us that faith often needs to be rekindled, especially in times of discouragement or decline. Paul, facing abandonment and apparent defeat, urges Timothy to remember the faith that lived in his mother and grandmother, and to stir it up again. He insists that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline. This is not just a word for Timothy, but for all of us who sometimes feel the weight of setbacks, who see the church struggling, or who worry about the next generation.

Yet, God’s power is most evident when we are at our weakest. The cross itself is the ultimate example: when all seemed lost, God brought resurrection and new life. In the same way, Paul’s letters from prison—written in weakness—became the enduring foundation of our faith. We are called to choose hope over despair, to act boldly and invest in the future of the church, trusting that God is still at work.

Stories from our own congregation—children being prayed for and blessed, volunteers serving with joy, young adults coming to faith—are living proof that God continues to move among us. Passing on the faith is not just the work of families, but of the whole church, each of us making deposits into the lives of others. We are entrusted with the gospel, and we are called to share it with courage, love, and discipline, remembering who we are and the legacy we carry.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith is a Living Legacy: The faith we possess is not self-made; it is inherited from those who have invested in us—parents, grandparents, pastors, and communities. Reflecting on who shaped our faith helps us appreciate the richness of our spiritual heritage and challenges us to be intentional about passing it on to others. [16:26]
2. Rekindling Faith in Times of Discouragement: Like Timothy, we may face moments when hope seems dim and momentum is lost. Paul’s encouragement to rekindle faith reminds us that spiritual vitality often requires conscious effort, especially when circumstances tempt us to despair or give up. [22:00]
3. God’s Power is Revealed in Weakness: The most transformative moments in God’s story often come when all seems lost—Paul’s letters from prison, Jesus’ death on the cross. Our own seasons of weakness or apparent defeat can become the very places where God’s power is most clearly displayed, if we remain open and faithful. [24:30]
4. Hope Leads to Bold Action: When we choose hope over despair, we are moved to act—to proclaim the gospel, invest in the future, and serve others. Hope is not passive; it is a discipline that fuels courage, love, and perseverance, even when the world or the church seems to be in decline. [26:42]
5. Passing on Faith is a Communal Responsibility: The work of nurturing faith in the next generation belongs to the whole church, not just individual families. Every act of prayer, blessing, and hospitality is a deposit into someone’s spiritual life, and together we create a community where faith can flourish and be handed on. [29:42]
** [29:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:13] - Connecting with Guests
[07:21] - Confession and Forgiveness
[08:24] - Opening Hymn
[15:15] - Gospel Reading: Luke 17
[16:26] - The Faith We Inherit
[17:41] - Congregational Influence
[18:28] - Lessons from Each Church
[19:39] - Mapping Your Faith History
[20:33] - Paul and Timothy’s Challenges
[22:00] - Rekindling Faith Amid Setbacks
[23:49] - God’s Power in Weakness
[25:21] - Encouragement for Today
[26:42] - Choosing Hope Over Despair
[28:04] - Stories of Faith in Action
[29:42] - Passing Faith to the Next Generation
[30:20] - Hospitality and Community
[31:18] - New Life and Baptism
[32:47] - Entrusted with the Gospel
[33:16] - Remembering Who We Are
[34:00] - Hymn of the Day

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1. 2 Timothy 1:3-7 (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. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2. Luke 17:5-10 (ESV) — > The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

Observation Questions

According to 2 Timothy 1:5, whose faith does Paul say now lives in Timothy, and how does Paul describe that faith?
In the sermon, what are some specific examples the pastor gives of people or communities who shaped his own faith? ([16:26])
What does Paul urge Timothy to do with the faith he has received, and what kind of spirit does Paul say God has given us? (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
In the story from Luke 17, what does Jesus say about the size of faith and its power? ([15:15])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul emphasizes the faith of Timothy’s mother and grandmother before talking about Timothy’s own faith? What does this say about how faith is passed on? ([16:26])
The pastor mentions that faith is often “rekindled” in times of discouragement or decline. Why might faith need to be rekindled, and what does that process look like? ([22:00])
The sermon says God’s power is revealed most clearly in weakness, using Paul’s imprisonment and the cross as examples. Why might God choose to work this way? ([24:30])
The pastor shares stories of faith being passed on in the congregation, like praying for children and welcoming new believers. What do these stories reveal about the role of the whole church in nurturing faith? ([29:42])

Application Questions

The pastor invites everyone to “map out” their own faith history. Who are the people—family, pastors, friends, or church members—who have made deposits into your faith? What did they do that made a difference? ([19:39])
Paul tells Timothy to “fan into flame” the gift of faith. Is there an area of your faith life that feels like it needs rekindling right now? What practical step could you take this week to stir it up? ([22:00])
The sermon says that God’s power is most visible when we are weak or discouraged. Can you think of a time when you felt weak or defeated, but saw God work in a surprising way? How did that experience shape your faith? ([24:30])
The pastor talks about choosing hope over despair, especially when the church or the world seems to be struggling. What helps you choose hope when you feel discouraged about your faith or the future of the church? ([26:42])
Passing on faith is described as a responsibility for the whole church, not just families. What is one way you could make a “deposit” into someone else’s faith this month—through prayer, encouragement, service, or hospitality? ([29:42])
The story of Max, the young adult who wanted to be baptized, shows how God is still at work in people’s lives. Is there someone in your life who is searching for faith or community? How could you reach out to them this week? ([31:18])
The pastor encourages us to remember who we are and the legacy we carry. What is one part of your spiritual heritage that you want to intentionally pass on to others? ([33:16])

Sermon Clips

Paul writes to his young friend, God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and love and self discipline. I mean, part of the issue is that Paul is writing these words from prison. And that could be interpreted to be defeat. It's all over, that he's fallen out of favor with God. The temptation to shame, to failure would be strong. [00:22:45] (28 seconds) #PowerLoveSelfDiscipline

That's how God works. God uses us when we are in the most dire of straits, when we have the least amount of power, when all seems lost over and over again in scripture, it's when his followers are at their weakest that God shows his power. The cross is the most potent example. Jesus was crucified. He was hung there naked and humiliated before the crowds. He was killed and he was buried in a tomb. All of his followers abandoned him and he was alone. And the movement seemed to be over. But it was in that moment, that dark moment, that the greatest act of history was accomplished. [00:24:00] (48 seconds) #GodWorksInWeakness

And now Paul is living out this legacy, giving birth to scripture while in chains, while in prison. And he writes this letter to Timothy encouraging him to rekindle the faith, to remember what has been handed to him and to take up that spirit of power and love and self discipline. And this becomes a letter to all Christians. Whenever we find ourselves in similar circumstances, when momentum stalls, when inspiration is hard to come by, we receive this encouragement to rekindle the faith. [00:24:56] (42 seconds) #LegacyOfFaithInChains

If we choose despair, then we limp along. We go through the motions, we watch things decline. But if we choose hope, if we believe in the power of God, if we commit ourselves to love, if we do the discipline, discipline ourselves to do the hard work, then we choose action. We boldly proclaim the good news, we make moves to share the faith, we Invest in the future of the church. [00:26:34] (32 seconds) #ChooseHopeActBoldly

That's it. That's what the church is about. Passing on the faith from one generation to the next, where responsibility isn't just the responsibility of the family, but the responsibility of the whole congregation together to raise up the next generation in faith. Those are the things that encourage me, that help me keep at it. [00:29:49] (21 seconds) #PassingFaithTogether

At the next service at 11 o', clock, we're going to baptize a young man in his 20s named Max. He started coming to church just a month ago. Max told me that he feels awakened, that he comes to worship. He says, I'm excited to come to worship every week because every time I come there's something that is in the service, something that is in the sermon that seems to align perfectly with what I need to hear in my life right now. And I want to be baptized. I want to commit my faith, my life to Jesus and follow him. [00:31:03] (35 seconds) #NewFaithAwakening

God is working life through the ministry of this congregation. We have not given in to despair. We have chosen hope. We are not flagging in our faith. We are encouraged and on fire. We are sharing the good news in word and deed. [00:32:10] (19 seconds) #FaithNotDespair

``Because the gospel entrusted to Paul and the gospel entrusted to Timothy, the gospel that was entrusted to Lois and Eunice, the gospel that was Entrusted to Martin Luther and all the saints and heroes that have gone before us still has the power to change lives. And that gospel has been entrusted to us. It is the message of salvation to all who believe. And we are determined to share it, to live it out, to give it to the next generation. [00:32:28] (33 seconds) #EntrustedGospelPower

We will not play small. We will not shrink back. Because God has given us not a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of courage and power and love and self discipline. Remember who you are. Remember where you come from. Take stock of those deposits of faith that have been made in your life and have accumulated to a life of faith. [00:33:02] (28 seconds) #SpiritOfCourageAndStrength

You have the faith of your forefathers and your mothers and the saints of old in you. You are Christians. You have power through the Holy Spirit. God is with you. Be strong in your faith and let's fight the good fight. [00:33:30] (17 seconds) #RememberYourFaithHeritage

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