Nov. 23, 2008
Background Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-3; 4:1-5
Devotional Reading: Acts 4:13-20

The writer of 2 Timothy speaks of the links in Timothy’s faith: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt faith in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you” (1:5).

I don’t personally know or have ever heard of anyone who received his or her Christian faith without the help or influence of someone else. That applies even to Paul, who attributed his conversion to the dramatic experience on the road to Damascus. Brought up in the Jewish faith, however, his pre-Christian religious experience and even his persecution of Christians contributed to his encounter with the risen Lord.

As a child, I do not remember ever not knowing there was a God, but it was my parents who told me what to call Him. In time, I attended a church that, if it didn’t contribute to my faith, at least didn’t detract from it.

Later, at the invitation of one of my junior high teachers, I joined the choir of a United Church of Christ where he was organist and choir director.

Fun and faith

Some months later, the girl I was dating told me about the great youth fellowship at the church she attended, Park Evangelical Church, in Reading, Pa. So, I gave it a try and was immediately struck that this enthusiastic youth group and their pastor, Rev. Mark J. Steierwald, demonstrated to me that Christians could be serious about their faith and still have a good time.

Until then, I had been persuaded that faith and fun were mutually exclusive. My new friends persuaded me to join them and other area teens at the denominational youth camp of Perkasie, Pa., an experience that over several years proved to be one of the great turning points in my life.

There have been additional experiences, people and influences that have helped to shape my faith, including Faith At Work, The Order of St. Luke, the New Life Clinic, Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship and the East Harlem Protestant Parish. All of these were links in my chain of faith. As for people who influenced my faith, there are far too many to name here.

I urge you to take some time to think about the links in your own religious experience. Who were the people who influenced you spiritually? What were the experiences that were influential in the formation of your faith? But, equally important, ask yourself: How have I contributed to or influenced the faith of others?

Receive and transmit

Timothy was a young pastor, so it was understood that his ministry should be one of transmitting the faith. But all followers of Jesus Christ have that same responsibility through means other than preaching.

Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ is not an optional activity for Christians who seem to like “that kind of thing.” We cannot all be preachers and teachers in the more formal sense of the terms, but we can all be links by which the gospel is witnessed.

Have you ever thought about the people who have transmitted faith to you? Have you ever told anyone about your faith experience? And, if there doesn’t seem to be much to tell, is that not a wakeup call find some way in which you are not only a receiver but also a transmitter?

The writer to Timothy is speaking not only to a young pastor, but to all of us who follow Christ: “You then … be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men (and women) who will be able to teach others also.” (2:1). To be a Christian means to be a receiver and a transmitter. So, have you been a faith link for others … or are you a link that is missing?
 
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.