Training up Children for Jesus

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

It is every godly Christian parent's number one priority for their family to see their children saved and grow up to be servants of Jesus Christ. What else in this life could we possibly want for our children that could begin to compare with this holy desire for our children?

This morning, I want to see an example of a young child who grew up to be a servant of Jesus Christ. This example shows us that it can be done…that is, that parents can train up their children to be servants of Jesus Christ.

Our example is young Timothy, who we want to follow from his early childhood up through his adult life. Although Timothy had obscure beginnings, he became one of the most prominent servants of the Lord in the New Testament.

1. First, Timothy from a young child was trained up on the Word of God…

Notice what Paul had to say to Timothy…

2 Timothy 3:14-16 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

What did Paul consider to be a child? The Jews said at 5 years old the children were to start learning the Scriptures. We don't know in the case of young Timothy, but I would just imagine that it was as soon he could hear and understand language.

Very young children can learn the Bible. As soon as they learn to talk and understand the language, they can learn the Bible in a simplistic way, and gradually grow into a more mature comprehension of the Word. It is very common for Christian mothers to start teaching their infants through singing Bible songs and telling them simple Bible stories. It's amazing what very little children can pick up!

Well, it appears that little Timothy may have started his training this way.

2. Timothy's mother and grandmother were responsible for his spiritual and Biblical upbringing.

2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

What influence have godly women had on training up great men! Apparently, Timothy had a mother and grandmother who were saved by the grace of God, and were duty bound to the Lord to train up young Timothy in the Word of God. They had high hopes for the young lad that God would save his soul, and use him to do a great work for Jesus. I believe they knew Proverbs 22:6, and they believed in the promises of God.

Timothy's mother was a Jewess, and his father was a Greek.

Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

Mixed marriages between Jews and Gentiles were said to have been common in the provinces of the Grecian and Roman empires where the Jews had been dispersed. They were cut off from their home land and were made to adapt to the heathen culture and adopt their practices. Mixed marriages weren't acceptable to the orthodox Jews, nor were they acceptable to God. But God is merciful and forgiving. And many of these Jews still clung to their Jewish heritage and roots, especially to the Holy Scriptures, which God had given to them.

But that was the situation. As they say “it is what it is”. His mother was a believer, but we gather from Acts 16:1 that his father, being a Greek, was an unbeliever, at least at that time.

This is important to see, because Timothy didn't have the ideal. Christian family. He didn't have a father to care about his spiritual needs. This is the father's Biblical responsibility and place in the home…

Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

But Timothy did have a godly mother, Eunice, and grandmother Lois, who cared for his soul. And they determined by the grace of God to see to his godly upbringing. Praise the Lord for godly women, who take on the responsibility of their children's spiritual upbringing!

And, beloved, I can't overemphasize the importance of children's godly upbringing! Again…

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

3. Thirdly, Timothy was saved under Paul’s ministry…

1 Timothy 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Timothy 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

2 Timothy 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

Paul called Timothy his son in the faith. All indications are that young Timothy wasn't saved until he heard the preaching of Paul during his first missionary journey in Acts 14. His Biblical upbringing by his mother and grandmother prepared him for God’s purpose and plan for his life, but he wasn't saved until he heard the preaching of Paul, when God opened his heart to hear the gospel and believe in Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

It is very important for us to understand that even though you might be taught the Word God from your youth up, you still have to come to a personal, saving relationship with Jesus through faith in Him. Timothy's mother and grandmother's efforts were by no means in vain! But they were used of God in preparation for young Timothy's salvation. God used all these spiritual works instrumentally to affect his conversion to Christ. Only remember, salvation doesn't come by a learning process, but by a work of grace in the soul by the Holy Spirit unto saving faith in the gospel.

4. Timothy was called of God to be Paul’s companion and helper in the ministry…

Acts 16:1-3 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

2 Which (that is, Timothy) was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

When Paul came back through Lystra seven years later on his second missionary journey, he took young Timothy on as his special helper in the ministry. Timothy was saved earlier, but had seven years to grow up and mature in the faith. He was well reported of by the brethren in Lystra for being a faithful zealous follower of Jesus.

And Paul saw that Timothy would be a great help to his ministry, and no doubt was led of the Lord to take young Timothy under his wing, and employ him in the gospel ministry. This would have been a great honor for this young man, to be able to serve the Lord with the apostle Paul! What an experience. What a wonderful new life of serving Jesus!

In retrospect, we can see that all the time, from his spiritual upbringing at home, to his conversion under Paul’s preaching, and now with his call to service, God was working and preparing this young man for a life of service. I'm sure that Timothy had no idea what God was doing in His life, at least not at first.

But according to God’s purpose in grace He was preparing Timothy for a great work that he would do for Jesus for the rest of his life! You see, beloved, Timothy wasn't just called upon to run an errand, or go off to Christian summer camp for a few weeks with Paul. He was called to leave his former life, his home and family, to serve Jesus for the rest of His life! And when God calls you, there's no turning back. Like Elisha who followed Elijah and became his minister. And like Andrew and Peter, and James and John, when Jesus called them, there was no turning back. This is true of salvation, and it's true of service.

When God calls you, He calls you to a new life. Old things are passed away and all things are become new. Your childhood upbringing in the Scriptures was to prepare you for salvation and service for the rest of your life. And you don't have to physically pack up and follow Jesus, but it's a spiritual journey of following Jesus in the path of service, even if physically you stay right where you are. Beloved, and I'm talking to you young people now, the Lord's work needs faithful servants in the gospel ministry right here and right now! Paul had a need for Timothy. This pastor has a need for young Timothy's to help with the work here in northeast Kentucky!

Timothy went on to faithfully serve the Lord with Paul for many years to come. He did a great work. He grew to be recognized, not only by Paul, but by all the churches and believers everywhere, for being a sound, faithful, and zealous servant of Jesus Christ!

5. Fifthly, and finally, Timothy went on to be an ordained minister of the gospel…

1 Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Timothy was ordained to serve the Lord with Paul as his traveling companion, as his fellow laborer in the gospel, and his faithful minister and helper in the gospel ministry. He went on in the later years of his Christian life to be the pastor of the Church of Ephesus, where it is said that he finally died a martyr's death for Jesus Christ, which is the highest calling of God.

Conclusion…

1 Corinthians 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:

Do you see your calling this morning? I've been talking about Timothy who was a young man. But there is also a great place in God's service for young women. Some of Paul’s greatest helpers in his ministry were women. It doesn't matter who you are or how old you are, if you will come to Jesus and believe in Him with all your heart, He will make a place for you in His service.

And there is no greater, or more honorable position that a saved man, woman, or child can attain unto in this life, than to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ in His Church!