I started a new Bible study this week about Gideon. I thought I knew the story of Gideon, but it’s already obvious that I haven’t taken the time to really know God’s story through Gideon. I can’t wait to see what God is going to teach me this semester!

I am always amazed (and shouldn’t be) at how what I am studying in one area is relevant to another. As I’ve looked at the first few verses about Gideon, I realized how important it is to share God’s love with my children and grandchildren. And then, to look at the repeated blog post for this week, only to find that it shares the same ideas that I’ve been studying all week. God is making an impression. He has my attention. Does He have yours?

Whistle Cup – Blogging A to Z

I received a precious birthday gift last year. It was a sterling silver whistle cup with a Skippy cartoon on the side with an inscription inside that says, “Skippy says blow whistle for more.” This cup belonged to my Dad and was given to his parents at his birth.

Through my research I’ve found that the Skippy cartoon was created by Percy Crosby and it was a popular comic strip through the 1920’s and 1930’s. Skippy can be seen in his typical outfit of baggy pants, floppy shoes and hat and carrying his paint bucket, running past a picket fence in need to a good paint job.

I have held this little whistle cup (and accompanying baby spoon) close to my heart. It may not be priceless to the world, but to me, it certainly is.

While I love this little piece memorabilia from my Dad, I have received an even better gift from him. The gift of learning and knowing about Jesus. My parents were the first to say the name “Jesus” to me. They taught me songs about Him. They shared biblical stories of His actions. They opened my eyes and my heart to the greatest gift I could ever know. Eternal life with Jesus!

There are many things we can give our children and grandchildren in this world, but if we are not sharing our faith and Jesus with them, we have missed the best opportunity for them to hear God’s message. In our homes.

I would say that Jesus’ words in Matthew 28 are meant for our family as much as they are for the ends of the earth. We are to “make disciples.” Make disciples of our children and grandchildren. They must hear the Gospel and we must be sharing it.

I can’t really write this piece without bringing up the passage in Deuteronomy 6:7-9 (NIV). This passage tells us the importance of sharing God’s message with our children. “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses on your gates.”

I believe the lesson learned from this Scripture is that every moment is a teaching moment. We should always be on the lookout for time to share God’s message with our children.

There are a couple of ladies in the Bible who knew how important this task is. They shared their faith with their son and grandson as he grew into a young man. And he was noticed. He was known for his knowledge and faith in God.

Lois and Eunice knew the importance of raising a child with God at the center of the family. Lois, the grandmother and Eunice, the mother of Timothy were Jewesses, who converted to Christianity. They were followers of Jesus and Paul had fond memories and respect for these two ladies.

We first hear of Timothy in Acts 16:1-3 when Paul traveled through Lystra. Timothy was spoken well of by the leaders of the Church in Lystra and had been raised by these godly women. Paul chose to take Timothy with him as he continued his ministry.

And of course, we have two letters written to Timothy by Paul. They were words of encouragement. They were words of wisdom. They were words of affection. Just read through the first five verses of 2 Timothy and you’ll see the emotion and connection to this family. Paul thought highly of the way they raised Timothy.

“I have been 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 Timothy 1:5 – NIV) From generation to generation, this family understood the importance of sharing God’s message. Perhaps they remembered God’s words, also from Deuteronomy.

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” (Deuteronomy 7:9 – NIV) What a promise from God and what a legacy we can leave to our children.

Yes, there are plenty of things we can hand down from generation to generation, and those things are important. But nothing can compare to passing down God’s Word and message to our future children and grandchildren. Nothing.

So how are you doing with this? Do your children (or grandchildren) know about your faith? Are God’s Words written around your home? Do you share God’s love with those in your household? What messages are your children hearing?

I would love to hear of some creative ways to do this and I’m sure others would as well. Why not tell us about them?

I am thankful for parents who took the time to share their faith with me. I have shared with my children and grandchildren, but there is always room for improvement. So as I continue on this journey, I will hold on to God’s Words and promises. He is faithful and He will do exactly as He said. I believe it.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna