For Single Parents

Being a single parent can be a tough responsibility. Of all the things you try to pass on to your children, nurturing them to have a sincere faith in Christ can be the most concerning. I know this especially concerns single moms with young boys. Being the primary faith trainer to a child of the opposite sex presents many challenges but as always, God does not allow challenges to come into our lives that we cannot handle in a way that brings Him glory (1 Co. 10:13).

One thing we emphasize in our ministry to single parents is that a single parent home does not have to be a broken home. Many single parent families feel they are in fact not a family. They feel they are not able to have a healthy home life. They feel they cannot effectively nurture their children to be godly.

I want to encourage you to know that a single parent can have a healthy home life and an effective ministry to their children. Although this is not the biblical model we do have biblical examples. One of the clearest is seen is Paul’s letter to young Timothy.

2 Timothy 1:5
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.

The verse previous to this one states that Paul remembers Timothy in his prayers and with tears of joy as he reflects on the faith of young Timothy. Notice that Paul contributes the faithfulness of his young disciple to his mom and grandmother. They were faithful Jewish believers (Acts 16:1). His dad was not a part of his faith training. He was a Greek Gentile and probably an unbelievers, the very reason he is not mentioned here. So we see that single parents and specifically a single mom with boys can nurture a sincere faith in their child. You can be an effective faith trainer to your child as a single parent, even to the point of producing tears of joy on looking believers.

How did this single parent succeeded as the primary faith trainer through childhood?
2 Timothy 3:14-17 tells us:
14You [Timothy], however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Paul built upon the foundation laid by Timothy’s mom. Notice that she taught him “sacred writings”. Paul is referring to the scripture; this is plain from the verses 16-17. Scripture is what gives us “wisdom that leads to salvation and faith” and ultimately to a life with Jesus Christ. If you want to effectively pass on your faith to your children you have to make known to them the word of God. The scripture must be the focus, the authority, the guide. It must have priority over every other source of counsel or consideration when making decisions or developing our way of thinking. The scripture is the most profitable source of teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training one to live righteously in the sight of God. We want the next generation to be men and women who have been sanctified by the word of truth (John 17:17) and taught to think like the scripture because the scripture is what makes one “adequate, equipped for every good work”.

This is a great example of a single parent having a healthy home, passing on faith, and rearing children to love God, love others, and live out his Life in Christ. If you want to have a healthy single parent home, if you want to effectively pass on the faith to your children, if you want children who live righteously and are equipped for what God has planned for them you must nurture them in the word and pour it into their life. You must make the commitment to “teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up” (Duet. 6:7). This is what defines a healthy home, a home where children are taught the word of God by a parent who lives as their primary faith trainer by modeling and teaching them the scripture.

Obama Wins

I know that many Christians will be discouraged and confused about Obama winning the presidency. He does not have the view many evangelicals support concerning many issues. I have heard many people say, "Don't worry, whether you support Obama or not God is still in control. He will use this for His glory."

As I prayerfully reflected on these ideas and concerns I realized some encouraging truths:

1. Our purpose does not change. We are stewards of God and servants of Christ called to make disciples as we live our lives. We will continue to strive in our effort to love God, love others, and equip the generations to do the same.
2. We must now work more diligently. We should be more passionate and determined in the pursuit of living out our purpose. We should not feel like this hinders us but is God's way of placing more responsibility on us.
3. The church is the restrainer. We learn in 2 Thessalonians that during the time of the church age their is a restrainer of evil in the world. I believe that restrainer is the Holy Spirit working through the church. The responsibility to influence the culture toward Godliness and to restrain evil in the culture is on the church, not the government. This could be God holding us accountable to live up to our responsibility.
   
4. There is nothing to fear. Our faith is in the power and supremacy of God. God does not allow anything to happen that thwarts His ultimate plan of redemption of man and reestablishing His rule over creation through man (which will happen through the King in the future Kingdom).

No matter who you voted for. No matter how you see the issues whether social, moral, economical, etc. Know that our purpose is the same, our work is to be more diligent, our responsibility to restrain evil is ever more present, and we are not a people of fear but a people of faith in the power and supremacy of God.