JANUARY 25, 2024
2 Timothy 1:5
5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
2 Timothy 3:14-15
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
I know many of us get worried about raising children in the present culture that seems at odd’s with God’s intention for his world. Sometimes the challenges of living, the temptations or distractions that can easily divert attention away from our creator, the realities of struggle for families and in particular single parent families to provide shelter and food and opportunities for their young, then we add wars and conflicts that cause us to wonder what kind of future might there be for our children, and grandchildren. If that is, you today it may be of great value to reflect on Lois and Eunice who are mentioned in our readings above.
Lois was the grandmother of the Apostle Paul’s companion Timothy, and Eunice was his mother and both show us the important influence a mother and grandmother can have. Even in a messy world such as ours, and like the one they lived in.
Acts 16:1 tells us that Eunice was Jewish and a believer in Jesus, while Timothy’s unnamed father was Greek. Many New Testament scholars believe that Timothy’s father died while Timothy was young, and that meant that Timothy was raised by his mother and grandmother. I’ll admit we do not know this for certain, but it is certainly plausible.
Paul mentioned these Ladies by name and notes their authentic faith. “I am 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.”
Later Paul emphasized Timothy’s godly upbringing, telling him to remember “what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” The godly upbringing by this single mom and grandmother formed the foundation of Timothy’s faith. Timothy joins in God’s mission with Paul, he pastored the Ephesus congregation and carried on the gospel work Paul entrusted to him.
Inheritances are passed down from generation to generation, whether financial or spiritual. Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, was the first one in his family to believe in God, and she raised her daughter, Eunice, to have the same “sincere faith.” Which in turn Timothy shared also.
God’s word doesn’t go out and return to him empty:
“...from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children”
2 Timothy 1:5
5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
2 Timothy 3:14-15
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
I know many of us get worried about raising children in the present culture that seems at odd’s with God’s intention for his world. Sometimes the challenges of living, the temptations or distractions that can easily divert attention away from our creator, the realities of struggle for families and in particular single parent families to provide shelter and food and opportunities for their young, then we add wars and conflicts that cause us to wonder what kind of future might there be for our children, and grandchildren. If that is, you today it may be of great value to reflect on Lois and Eunice who are mentioned in our readings above.
Lois was the grandmother of the Apostle Paul’s companion Timothy, and Eunice was his mother and both show us the important influence a mother and grandmother can have. Even in a messy world such as ours, and like the one they lived in.
Acts 16:1 tells us that Eunice was Jewish and a believer in Jesus, while Timothy’s unnamed father was Greek. Many New Testament scholars believe that Timothy’s father died while Timothy was young, and that meant that Timothy was raised by his mother and grandmother. I’ll admit we do not know this for certain, but it is certainly plausible.
Paul mentioned these Ladies by name and notes their authentic faith. “I am 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.”
Later Paul emphasized Timothy’s godly upbringing, telling him to remember “what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” The godly upbringing by this single mom and grandmother formed the foundation of Timothy’s faith. Timothy joins in God’s mission with Paul, he pastored the Ephesus congregation and carried on the gospel work Paul entrusted to him.
Inheritances are passed down from generation to generation, whether financial or spiritual. Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, was the first one in his family to believe in God, and she raised her daughter, Eunice, to have the same “sincere faith.” Which in turn Timothy shared also.
God’s word doesn’t go out and return to him empty:
“...from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children”
(Psalm 103:17).
Because Lois loved and obeyed God, God worked the same miracle of faith in her daughter, Eunice, and in her daughter’s son, Timothy. They followed the teaching in Deuteronomy 11:19, "Teach them (the words of the Scriptures) to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up." Do you see the picture here? Grandmother Lois left a spiritual inheritance for her family that has benefited countless generations after her. We wouldn’t have 1 and 2 Timothy and God’s instructions for us through Paul without Lois.
So, Mothers and grandmothers, you have an important role. The identity and character of generations of people are shaped by their mothers and grandmothers. Now I am a father and grandfather, I know in that role I have a responsibility in character development too. A responsibility in faithfully living and teaching about God’s love. All Grandfathers and Father’s do. Yet, I know from years of observing my children’s mother, and now watching her as a grandmother, that there is a level of closeness and a measure of wisdom that she offers to children that I do not.
I had a grandmother like Lois, she raised her children as a single mom after the early death of her husband. She loved God and taught her children well, my mother continued to teach us of God’s love ….. well you know I suppose the rest of the story the inheritance of faith continues to be shared.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3 things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
Because Lois loved and obeyed God, God worked the same miracle of faith in her daughter, Eunice, and in her daughter’s son, Timothy. They followed the teaching in Deuteronomy 11:19, "Teach them (the words of the Scriptures) to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up." Do you see the picture here? Grandmother Lois left a spiritual inheritance for her family that has benefited countless generations after her. We wouldn’t have 1 and 2 Timothy and God’s instructions for us through Paul without Lois.
So, Mothers and grandmothers, you have an important role. The identity and character of generations of people are shaped by their mothers and grandmothers. Now I am a father and grandfather, I know in that role I have a responsibility in character development too. A responsibility in faithfully living and teaching about God’s love. All Grandfathers and Father’s do. Yet, I know from years of observing my children’s mother, and now watching her as a grandmother, that there is a level of closeness and a measure of wisdom that she offers to children that I do not.
I had a grandmother like Lois, she raised her children as a single mom after the early death of her husband. She loved God and taught her children well, my mother continued to teach us of God’s love ….. well you know I suppose the rest of the story the inheritance of faith continues to be shared.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3 things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
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