Legacy of Faith 信仰传承
Dexu Xia
I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice. 2 Timothy 1:5
In 2019, research exploring the spiritual heritage of believers in Jesus in the United States revealed that mothers and grandmothers have a significant influence on spiritual development. Nearly two-thirds of people who claim a legacy of faith credited their mother, and one-third acknowledged that a grandparent (usually a grandmother) also played a significant role.
The report’s editor remarked, “Over and over, this study speaks to the enduring impact of mothers in . . . spiritual development.” It’s an impact we also discover in Scripture.
In Paul’s letter to his protégé Timothy, he acknowledged that Timothy’s faith was modeled to him by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5). It’s a delightful personal detail highlighting the impact of two women on one of the leaders of the early church. Their influence can also be seen in Paul’s encouragement to Timothy: “continue in what you have learned [because] from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures” (3:14–15).
A strong spiritual heritage is a precious gift. But even if our upbringing lacked the kind of positive influences that helped form Timothy’s faith, there are likely others in our life who’ve had a profound impact in helping to shape our spiritual development. Most important, we all have the opportunity to model sincere faith to those around us and leave a lasting legacy.
By: Lisa M. Samra
Who’s had a significant impact on your spiritual development? How can you encourage others in faith?
Father, thank You for the men and women in my life that have modeled sincere faith.
想到你心里无伪之信，这信是先在你外祖母罗以和你母亲友妮基心里的。—提摩太后书1章5节
在2019年，一份探讨美国基督徒信仰传承的研究显示，母亲和祖母对后代子孙的灵命成长有巨大的影响，近三分之二的受访者表示他们的信仰承袭自他们的母亲，三分之一的受访者认为祖父母（通常是祖母）也扮演重要的角色。
研究人员评论道：“这项研究一再说明，母亲对孩子灵命成长的持久影响。”这样的影响也可以在圣经中看到。
保罗在写给他的门生提摩太的信中提到，提摩太的信心是承袭自他外祖母罗以和母亲友妮基的榜样（提摩太后书1章5节）。这个令人欣慰的细节，凸显了两位女性对初代教会其中一位领袖的影响。从保罗对提摩太的勉励，我们也可看出她们的影响力，他说：“但你所学习的、所确信的，要存在心里，因为你知道是跟谁学的。并且知道你是从小明白圣经。”（3章14-15节）
坚实的信仰传承是一份宝贵的礼物。即使我们的成长过程不像提摩太那样，有来自家庭的正向影响得以形塑对上帝的信心，但在你我的生命中，可能还有其他人对我们的灵命成长有深远的影响。最重要的，是我们都有机会向周围的人树立真实信心的榜样，并留下恒久的影响。作者： 夏莉珊
你的灵命成长深受谁的影响？你要如何鼓励其他信徒？
天父，谢谢祢，让许多人真实无伪的信心，在我的生命中树立了美好的榜样。