“Holy Risk” Sermon Series, Week 2, Sixth Sunday of Easter – Rev. Martha McLean (First on Chatham)

About this episode

Rev. Martha McLean discusses the importance of passing down faith across generations in the context of the Second Letter to Timothy.

First Cary UMC’s First on Chatham Sermon – Rev. Martha McLean – May 10, 2026 The Risk of Formation: Passing Down a Bold Faith: God has called us as First Cary to invest in the generations. As such, we are called to pass down our faith, which means taking the risk of forming others - and allowing our faith to ripple beyond what we can see. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, we hear of Timothy’s grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Paul lifts them up as models of spiritual influence across generations, as they risk to raise Timothy in a countercultural faith. This bold passing down of faith in God impacts not just Timothy, but the wider church as it ripples through the Apostle Paul and his letters. Faith formation is not about control - it’s about courageous investment that the Spirit multiplies in others. Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-7

People in this episode

Guest: Rev. Martha McLean

Topics covered

• faith formation
• spiritual influence
• generational faith
• courageous investment
• countercultural faith

Keywords

• faith
• formation
• spirituality
• generations
• risk
• Apostle Paul
• Timothy
• Lois
• Eunice

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: First Cary UMC

Books & works: 2 Timothy

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