5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
2 Timothy 1:5, 3:14-17, Acts 16:1-3
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On this Mother’s Day, I thought it would be appropriate to honor two mothers: Lois, Timothy’s grandmother, and Eunice, Timothy’s mother. I’d like to pay tribute to Timothy’s inheritance, which he received since his mother and grandma loved him enough to give him their most valuable possession: faith.
Timothy is mentioned as a co-sender in six of Paul’s letters. In his epistle to the Philippians, he also praised Timothy. Paul was so sure of Timothy’s faith that he addressed him as “my true son in the faith” in his first letter to him. Timothy became what Barnabas couldn’t be for Paul: the heir to Paul’s mission. Paul calls Timothy “my cherished child” in his final letter to Timothy, written near the end of his life, because Timothy was actually part of Paul’s genealogy, wealth, and crown.
Paul’s second letter to Timothy was designed to uplift and encourage this weary disciple and pastor. Paul advises him to reignite his faith in God, to not be ashamed of the gospel, to follow the pattern of sound teaching, to guard the good deposit of faith entrusted to him, and to visit him in prison. Timothy was probably around 35 years old at the time, and had been preacher/elder in the Ephesus church for roughly 8 years. Many people were encouraging Christians to believe in myths and lies at the time (just as they are today). Paul told Timothy to tell those who were doing it (perhaps within the church) to stop teaching false doctrines. “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, admonish, and encourage—with great patience and meticulous instruction,” Paul urged in 2 Timothy 4:2.
Paul reminds Timothy of his Christian heritage as he begins his second letter to him.
3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the [a]genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 2 Timothy 1:3-5
“I am reminded of your honest faith,” Paul says. The word “persuaded” appears in certain translations. ‘I was convinced years ago, I’m convinced now, and I’ll always be convinced that you have genuine faith,’ Paul basically says. But where did Timothy first learn of this real faith? It was passed down from his grandmother and mother. Moms (and dads) must help their children develop genuine faith….
Lois and Eunice were true Christians who never wavered in their beliefs. They were sincere, which means “not hypocritical.” They lacked what we refer to as “environmental faith.” To put it another way, their behavior was unaffected by their surroundings. At home, at work, and in the marketplace, they were all the same. They lived out their religion every day. And Paul was encouraging Timothy to recall the lessons he had learned at his mother’s and grandmother’s feet. Timothy was being urged to remember their consistency. How could they possibly compromise their standards, even if he was a pain in the neck?
“Personal Stories”, a poll published by Word Press, According to a ten-year study, young people are looking for authenticity, genuineness, and intellectual meaning in their lives; meaning that matters in their daily lives. “Young people are desperate for love, acceptance, and spiritual depth, but many of the spiritual tools available to them are disappointing.”
According to the report, most people aren’t quitting the church because they disagree with a theology. Rather, “members pretend to adore the Lord when they really don’t.” People react to others and strive to appear as someone they are not. They taught us one way, yet in many cases, they did not follow their own advice.”
By word and example, Lois and Eunice demonstrated to Timothy what it means to live a honest religion; a faith free of hypocrisy, genuine, and sincere. On this Mother’s Day, what better compliment or tribute could be paid to any mother or grandmother than to say, “You gave me true faith!”
Timothy grew up and was raised in a bad part of town. On Paul’s first missionary tour, we read in Acts 14 about Paul and Barnabas visiting Lystra (southern Galatia). Paul healed a lame man here, prompting the onlookers to believe Barnabas and Paul were the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes.
A party of Jews from Antioch and Iconium similarly won the audience over in Lystra, stoned Paul, and led him outside the city. Lystra was primarily populated by Gentiles and lacked a synagogue. Timothy grew up in this kind of environment. Greek mythology or zealous Jews who opposed Jesus surrounding him.
Despite the fact that their surroundings were antagonistic to the gospel, Mom and Grandma developed true faith. Timothy had an odd familial situation because his mother was Jewish and his father was Greek. It’s possible that his father didn’t believe in God. Timothy’s mother and grandmother most likely experienced various challenges while raising Timothy.
We live in a world today where individuals believe in myths, false religions, and even actively oppose Jesus Christ. How well are we doing at fostering genuine trust in Jesus in our children so that they can perceive the difference between us and the rest of the world?
Are we making a lasting impact on their lives? We must set an example for them if we want them to have genuine faith.
In teaching them biblical norms of behavior, possessions, and attitudes, we must be constant and rigorous. We must be consistent in defending our beliefs and providing a model for how they might defend theirs to their peers and classmates. If we call Jesus Lord, we must read God’s Word consistently, pray consistently, worship and fellowship consistently, and give consistently. Simply ask your children to demonstrate genuine faith. If we aren’t sincere, there’s a strong possibility they won’t be.
In 2 Timothy 3:14, Paul said to Timothy, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,”
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10: 14-15, 17
Those verses apply to both domestic and international missions. Someone needs to spread the word. Parents must be committed to teaching their children the Bible.
“When is a good time to start teaching my child God’s Word?” some of you may wonder. When did Eunice and Lois first begin instructing Timothy? He was a baby at the time. Jewish children were taught the law at a young age and were required to memorize portions of it. When parents and grandparents teach their children, Scripture may be a great force for good in their lives.
In II Timothy 3:14-15, Paul wrote, “But as for you continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.”
The Bible explains both why and how we need to be saved. The name of Jesus Christ is the only name given to men under heaven by which they can be saved. The Scriptures were not provided to us so that we may gather information and not pass it on.
Illustration: There was a woman with two adult children who were no longer active members of the church. “I brought them to church every time the door was opened believing that was all I had to do,” she stated to me, “but now I see that I should have been teaching them at home.” For a long time, I believed that if we had good enough Bible lessons and a competent enough youth minister, our children would develop a true religion quickly. However, we now know better. Parents, church leaders, teachers, and religious experts are now painfully aware that the plan does not always succeed. God’s plan for instilling trust is what works. The most significant persons in their children’s lives are their parents!
In Deuteronomy, Moses instructed the Israelites by saying, ““Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NKJV
In Deut. 6: 20-25, Moses explains why he provided these commands. They were less likely to forget what God had done for His people in the past if they taught their children about God’s commandments, statutes, and testimonies.
Parents, if we want our children to survive in a world filled with drugs, moral deterioration, and selfish behavior, we must teach them the sacred writings! Do not entrust it to the Sunday school teacher, the Youth Minister, or anybody else!
Football is, after all, a family tradition for so many families. But isn’t it interesting how we spend money, time, and energy training our children a sport while neglecting to teach them God’s Word?
In today’s society, many parents are raising “trophy children.” They enjoy comparing their children to their friends’ and siblings’ children. They frequently live vicariously through their children’s achievements.
Children feel this. Maybe it’s a bright daughter who could receive a full scholarship to a prestigious university. Her parents are constantly reminding her that excellent grades aren’t enough; only the finest grades will suffice. The daughter doesn’t mind getting a “B,” but the parents would be devastated because they live for those report cards.
Many of the adults are individuals who grew up believing they would never be able to please their parents. It was never enough, no matter what they did. They’re still out there attempting to please their parents. When parents invest their identity and value in their children, they are placing them in a position reserved for God. Even for an honor roll student, that’s a lot to ask.
All of you, mothers, grandmothers, and fathers…
Be attentive in your use of Scripture when imparting faith. Use it to correct, train, and teach virtue, behavior showing high moral standards. Being taught how to preserve a healthy connection with God is what it means to be trained in righteousness.
Guesswork, a lick, and a prayer do not constitute righteousness training. When moms, grandmothers, and fathers consistently and conscientiously convey scriptural information, they are training for righteousness. It occurs when young people repeatedly see and hear that maintaining a proper relationship with God is the most essential thing to you.
Fathers, loving your children’s mothers is one of the most essential things you can do for them. Love for your children’s father is one of the most essential things you can do as a mother. The most essential thing you can do for your children as parents is to show them that you love God above all else! Teaching children is a collaboration, according to Proverbs 1:8
My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not forsake the law of your mother; Proverbs 1:8 NKJV
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Lois and Eunice would have to trust the Lord to look after Timothy once he left with Paul. They believed in God. They taught Timothy early on the meaning of genuine faith: trust in God’s Word.
The Bible has the power to make you wise for salvation. We can learn how to live godly lives from the Bible. They’d done everything they could. They realized they had made an incalculable difference in Timothy’s life.
Paul, who had been known Timothy since he was a child, had been raised by his mother Eunice and grandma Lois to be a good person. Only this one place in the Bible does the term “grandmother” appear. Lois is referenced only once in II Timothy 1, in the fifth verse, yet that verse is a living tribute to moms and grandmothers. It will last till the Lord comes back.
So, moms, grandmas, dads, and grandpas, how do you make a difference in the lives of your children and grandchildren? Some people have a favorable impact, while others have an eternal impact. Are you a true believer? Do your children recognize Christ in you? Are you attracting people to God through your actions? If not, it’s possible that you’ll need to start making difficult life decisions by examining your priorities.
Thank you for making a difference in the lives of mothers. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of grandmothers and great-grandmothers. And thank you, fathers and grandfathers, for loving our mothers and making a difference. “You can make a difference to,” I’d like to say to those of you who don’t have children of your own. By being real in your faith and instilling faith in our church’s children. You have the power to change things!
You’re one decision away from a completely different life this morning.
There is power in the name of Jesus. The phrase “pray in the name of Jesus” is often used by Christians, and it refers to the practice of praying to God and asking for His help, guidance, or protection.
Two things about the death of Christ. The first was that since one person died for and in place of everyone else, everyone had died. What is this death at the end? Either the death they deserved because of their sin.
It’s odd how we often acknowledge that we take on too much, and try to accomplish things in our own strength, and need to rely more on Jesus. And yet we continue to do the same thing over and over.
The conscience is a divinely given moral compass that can be swayed by many factors, such as our background, experiences, and thoughts. What is important is the truth that one has to inform their conscience.
Life is rough for most people today. Just when we have hope of a life returning to normal, we are seeing things none of us have ever seen in our lifetime.
To grasp the magnitude of our deliverance, we must first comprehend where we came from. We are not exempt from the repercussions of our actions because we are descendants of Adam.
