Single christian parenting seems doomed to failure by so many statistics and stories in circulation today. But what does the bible have to say? Is there hope for christian parents with unsaved or absent partners?

 

Timothy, a young man who loved God and was a faithful servant of His, was a companion of the apostle, Paul, travelling into dangerous territory to preach a dangerous message. He was committed, faithful, passionate, and a tribute to any parent. If our children turn out anything like him we can be proud indeed. So in what type of home does one produce such a son?

 

Acts 16:1 speaks of when Paul first met young Timothy. "He [Paul] came to… Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek."

 

Single parents, listen up! Christian moms with unsaved husbands, this is for you! Praying Grannies, take courage! You, too, can succeed in bringing up spiritual giants. Timothy's father was not a Christian. His grandmother, Lois, was a Jewish woman who had studied the Old Testament and so that when she heard about Jesus the Christ, she realised and understood the truth about Him. Similarly, Timothy's mother, Eunice was a Jewish woman who believed.

 

Paul said about them in his second letter to Timothy, "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." (2 Timothy 1:5)

 

Single christian parenting did not result in failure in Timothy's case. Our God is the God of the extraordinary. Take hope: godly young men and women are cultivated most easily in the presence of godly relatives, whoever those might be. Make yourself available to do the task that God has set before you in the children of your family. We provide the seed of truth and a safe and nurturing environment where that seed can be watered regularly. We weed and prune with love where necessary, and we trust God who makes things grow.