2 Timothy 1:5 5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.
Paul’s purpose in writing the book is to encourage the younger Timothy in his ministry as the pastor of the church at Ephesus. One of the themes of the book of 2 Timothy is the heritage that we have as Christians, and the obligation to pass on what we have learned about Jesus
Much of 2nd Timothy focuses on being faithful in ministry, being strong in adversity.
The ministry that each of us have in passing on our faith to our own families is where these two great themes come together. As parents, and especially as mothers, you have a unique opportunity to pass on your faith to your children, since you often know them best.
Godly mothers have sincere faith (1:5).
For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you
Paul recalls with joy, the type of faith that Timothy has. It is a sincere faith.
The Greek word means unfeigned, without hypocrisy, sincere. A faith that is not “put on”, like a garment, but is part of us all the time. God already knows every thought you think, every word that you say, and everything you do, even before you think to do or say it, so just be honest with Him. But genuine faith is contagious.
which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice
One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is to be a godly mother. Eunice was faithful to God, and the result of her faithfulness was that to God used it in her life, and in the life of her son Timothy.Having a sincere faith doesn’t mean that these women were perfect.
But sincere faith does mean that they were “real” with God. It means that they had a real relationship with Him.
It means that when you do sin and mess up a relationship, especially with a family member, that you ask their forgiveness and do your part to work on the relationship.
The situation in the household of Timothy, Eunice and Lois wasn’t perfect, but our God is an expert at bringing good out of bad situations.
Because of this witness of these Godly women, Paul found young Timothy living as a disciple of Jesus. And because of the example of his mother and grandmother, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. And what did Paul do? 3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; as it says in acts 16:2-3.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2. Godly mothers honor God’s Word and train their children in God’s Word (3:14-15).
Paul encourages timothy to continue in the things that he has learned.
Continue in what People like Paul, his spiritual father, and Eunice his mother, and Lois his grandmother have taught him.
Paul is encouraging Timothy to keep up the standard of the Gospel.
Become convinced of
Not only has Timothy learned these things, but he has become convinced of the teaching, he firmly believes it. The Gospel is the foundation of His life, he has been established in the Gospel.
knowing from whom you have learned them
Timothy knows the character of Paul, who has taught him about what it means to be a Christian, and he knows the character of his mother Eunice, and his grandmother Lois.
Always bring your Bible and follow along, and always check what you are being taught to make sure that it lines up with the Word of God.
As Parents (and sometimes even as Grandparents) we should be the primary persons responsible for teaching our children and Grandchildren God’s word.
But we should also pray that God will send other Christians to help in this process.
God’s Word of truth is powerful to save (James 1:18)
God’s Word will sanctify His people (John 17:17)
and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings
A Godly Mother must teach their Children God’s Word
If your children almost never see you seeking God through His Word, they won’t either.
If you spend all of your time watching TV or on the internet, and the Bible is never opened, what are your kids going to assume is more important?
which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Teach your children wisdom
Help them to understand that not only is following Jesus the right way to live, it is the best way to live, and ultimately the only way to live eternally.
Show them that you have faith in Jesus when times are tough, and they will learn to have faith in Jesus.
Moms lead their children to salvation in Christ
As you teach your children about Godly wisdom, they will learn that Jesus loves them, this I know, for the Bible tells me so”, but they’ll also learn that Jesus wants a relationship with them. It’s more than just inviting Him into their hearts, it’s about helping them understand their need for Jesus in the first place.
And this will teach them that God also sees them, and that they have an accountability to Him. They need to know that not only is God loving and kind and patient, but also that He is holy and just, and that He must punish sin. But he is willing to accept a substitute, someone named Jesus, who has taken the punishment for us by dying on the cross. They need to understand that God will forgive our sins, if and only if, we accept the provision of payment that He has already made. Help them to understand that not only is following Jesus the right way to live, it is the best way to live, and ultimately the only way to live eternally.
Mothers continue to teach and influence their children throughout their lives.
And Godly mothers continue to teach us about God, and continue to be an example for us throughout their lives. And God can use you, as he as used Eunice a mother, and Lois a grandmother to do amazing things in Timothy’s life. Persevere in Prayer—as Romans12:12 reminds us to keep on rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, [and be] devoted to prayer. So keep on praying for your children. God will figure out how to get His will done, you just keep praying that His will is done, and don’t get tired or give up.
Galatians 6:9-10 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.