"Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it (We tend to believe the values our parents give us, don't we?), and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:12-15).

How important to the lives of our children and grandchildren is the learning of scripture? Listen to these familiar words from Scripture, hearing them placed within the context of parents teaching children and grandchildren. Paul is saying: This is why it is important that our children and our grandchildren learn scripture from their parents and grandparents.

"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:12-17).

Mothers, do you want your sons and daughters to survive out there in that jungle of drugs, moral decay, and selfish living? Then teach your children the sacred writings! Don't leave it to the Sunday School teacher to do your job for you!

Grandmothers, are you concerned about the perils placed in the face of your grandchildren as they grow up in a world whose value system increasingly mocks the teaching of scripture? Then help your grandchildren learn the sacred writings! Reinforce what they are learning from their parents and in Sunday School.

Mothers, grandmothers, all of you .... when you impart faith, be plain in your use of Scripture. Use it to teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness (notice that training for righteousness is emphasized). To be trained in righteousness means to be taught how to maintain a right relationship with God. Training for righteousness is not imparted by guesswork, a lick and a prayer. Training for righteousness takes place when mothers and grandmothers consistently and conscientiously impart scriptural knowledge. It takes place when young people continually hear from their mothers and grandmothers that the most important thing in life is to keep a right relationship with God.

Our eldest grandson, Eric, doesn't stand a chance. His mother and father are training him in the ways of righteousness, but Eric doesn't always succeed. Even though his grandmother lives 800 miles away, she hears about it. Poor Eric! It must feel mighty uncomfortable to receive a letter from Grandmother which points out in no uncertain terms just what is expected of her grandson -- and why. Poor Eric. No! Lucky Eric! He is receiving the faith that first dwelt in his grandmother and now in his mother. He will turn out okay.

If you are a grandparent, here is what you can do that will make a difference in the life of your children and grandchildren:

1. Sit down and write each of your grandchildren a letter.

2. Tell them in great detail why you have put your trust in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ.

3. Tell them why it is important for them to have a right relationship with the Lord.

4. Tell them the expectations you have of them.

5. Tell them the passage of scripture which has been most meaningful for your life -- and tell them why.

If you are a son or daughter and your mother still lives, go beyond sending a Mother's Day card or flowers. Write a letter -- handwritten -- a long one, telling your mother about your faith and the part she played in bringing you to that faith. Tell her how you thank God for her having given you the gift of faith.

If your mother has already joined the saints who have gone before us, go to God in prayer, thanking Him for all the good that was in your mother. Commend her spirit to His continual care. Thank God for all that has been done on her behalf.

Paul recognized Timothy, from a young age, had been grounded in upright living by his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois. The word "grandmother" is found in the Bible only in this one place. Eunice is mentioned only here, in the fifth verse of Paul's letter. Everything we know about these two women is contained in one verse, but that one verse is a living memorial to mothers and grandmothers. It will endure until the Lord returns.