Submitted by Pastor Richard Boettner, Rock Port Baptist Church

I am writing with just two weeks until Christmas Day. It has been a good season to prepare for Christmas this year, and I am grateful to be living in Rock Port. I enjoy the lights, and our towns in Atchison County do a great of decorating for a mostly rural area. I love the Christmas carols and rich musical traditions that point us to the birth of Jesus. Praise God!

In that regard I was especially glad we will be sharing the Rock Port God and Man services again this past week, which will be ongoing as this comes to print next week. I want to mention a few spiritual principles of what I have seen God doing with this event for the past 65 years or so.

First, it is good for us as men to lead the way and pass on our faith and good discipleship to the next generation. This takes place when we share in the work, sing Christmas carols, promote fellowship, teach the Scriptures, and share personal stories and testimonies.

Second, from the Scriptures we see this pattern as Jesus called His 12 disciples to follow Him. And we see the Apostle Paul passing on his faith to Timothy and others. Modeling occurs as Paul mentions three basic professions in 2 Timothy 2:4-7: (1) The soldier who must not get entangled with civilian affairs; (2) The athlete who must compete according to the rules and engage in strict training; and (3) The hardworking farmer who gets to share in the firstfruits of the crop.

Paul’s challenge is to consider these things (vs. 7) as he recognizes that the Lord gives insight, and Timothy will eventually need to make his own life decisions and choices in how he lives out his commitment to Christ.

Our young boys learn best when they see some of all three of these professions. And possibly more callings today, at work in our dads, granddads, and other men. Sometimes it more what is caught than what is taught. Relationship matters, too, as Paul speaks openly in his letters by calling him a “dearly loved son,” and reminds him frequently to depend on God’s grace. We don’t have to be perfect, but we do have to be genuine and sincere.

For our women we might want to remember how Timothy’s faith developed: “I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am convinced, is in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5) He recognized that these two women had taught him the Scriptures which prepared him to be saved.

Now is a good time to follow up on what our young boys and men are learning and affirm the grace of God at work in their lives. And perhaps a Christmas treat or family gathering can make the conversation a little bit easier, too.

Feel free to contact me with questions or comments at rockportbaptistchurch.com. And may God bless us here in Atchison County and Merry Christmas!