National Lutheran Schools Week: Making Families Disciples for Life
“From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).
Who was a significant faith “influencer” in your life? If that were a “Family Feud” question, the most popular responses would be mother (first place), father, other family member (grandmother, etc.) and then a variety of other “means” (friend, neighbor, etc.). We thank God for all those the Spirit uses to share “the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15).
Timothy’s family shared their faith with him, specifically his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois. They had an immense impact on Timothy’s faith-filled life. The Bible introduces us to Timothy in the Book of Acts (16:1–5). Timothy joined the apostle Paul on his missionary journeys and Paul considered Timothy a spiritual “son” (2 Tim. 1:2). Paul wrote him two letters encouraging Timothy as a pastor and missionary. The Holy Spirit used Timothy’s family to teach him the truth of the Bible and the Good News of Jesus as His Savior.
God still uses families to teach His children about Jesus. Your family members are the Lois and Eunice whom God may have used to make you His disciple. Your family brought you to the waters of Baptism. Many of you are at Concordia because your parents, grandparents or other family members wanted you to further your learning in a Lutheran school setting. Others of you aren’t here for those reasons, but have come to know Jesus through your time at Concordia. Regardless of the path you have taken, we are blessed to have you here with us now, giving us the opportunity to come together and give thanks to God for our many blessings.
Our family also provides us with many special memories and activities that will stay with us for a lifetime. Martin Luther recognized the importance of sharing the faith and coming together with one’s family. This recognition led him to compile the Small Catechism, which allowed all believers to share and understand God’s Word in communion with one another. In Philemon, it is written, “and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” (Phil. 1:6). The most important thing that families can do for one another is to teach about Jesus and to worship Him together.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for bringing us into Your family through our Baptism. Bless our families to be places where our faith is shared each day and where our faith is passed on to future generations. Amen.
Jaelyn Adler
Junior, Elementary Education
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