Aug.07.01: Light For The Day - "From Infancy" -- 2 Timothy 3:15–17 (NIV) "And how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures,  which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith  in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." ----------- Our acceptance and nurture in the Scripture usually takes place in the context of some close, intimate relationship.  That was definitely the case with Timothy, who came to  know and love God’s Word early in life. We have no  indication of just how Lois and Eunice shaped young  Timothy’s faith. But we do have a list of rules followed  by Susannah Wesley, mother of 19 children, including  hymn writer Charles Wesley and the founder of Methodism,  John Wesley. Here are her “bylaws.” : (1) Cowardness and fear of punishment often lead children  into lying. To prevent this, a law was made, that whoever  was charged with a fault, of which they were guilty, if they  would ingenuously confess it, and promise to amend,  should not be beaten. (2) That no sinful action, as lying, pilfering, playing at church,  or on the LORD’s Day, disobedience, quarreling, etc.,  should ever pass unpunished. (3) That no child should ever be chided, or beat twice,  for the same fault; and that if they amended, they should  never be unbraided with it afterward. (4) That every act of obedience should always be commended,  and frequently rewarded, according to the merits of the cause. (5) That if any child performed an act of obedience,  or did anything with an intention to please, though the  performance was not well, yet the intention should be  kindly accepted; and the child with sweetness directed  how to do better in the future. (6) That propriety be inviolably preserved, and none  suffered to invade the property of another in the smallest matter. (7) That promises be strictly observed; and a gift once bestowed,  and so the right passed away from the donor not to be restored,  but left to the disposal of him to whom it was given. -- Lawrence O. Richards ---------------- -- Proverbs 22:6 (RSV) "Train up a child in the way he should go,  and when he is old he will not depart from it."