Timothy’s Godly Mother: 2 Timothy 1:5

We have two purposes today: (1) to honor the Lord Jesus with everything we say and do and (2) to honor the women here who are mothers…because it’s Mother’s Day! 

James Dobson says this about mothers: “There are few assignments in human experience that require the array of skills and wisdom needed by a mom in fulfilling her everyday duties. She must be a resident psychologist, physician, theologian, educator, nurse, chef, taxi driver, fire marshal, and occasional police officer.  And if she succeeds in each of these responsibilities, she gets to do it all again tomorrow.” 

Moms face the physical and emotional demands of being mothers every day, but  there are spiritual demands as well, because children have great spiritual needs, and God has put moms in place to pass on His truths. 

The Apostle Paul was Timothy’s teacher and mentor, but before Timothy met Paul, two godly women raised him from childhood to know and serve the Lord. They were his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois. 

Paul recognized the influence that Timothy’s mother and grandmother had on him in 2 Timothy 1:5, where he wrote:

“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” 

Paul saw in Timothy a legacy that began with a godly grandmother and continued in the influence and guidance of Timothy’s godly mother, Eunice, who passed on to Timothy a love for the scriptures, a sincere faith, and a desire to serve others. 

First, Eunice passed on to her son Timothy a love for the scriptures.

Here’s what Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Tim. 3:14-17:

“¹⁴ But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; ¹⁵ And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto 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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 

From the time Timothy was a young child, Eunice made sure that Timothy understood the word of God. Nothing will have a greater impact on your children than knowing their Lord and the scripture. Timothy had the privilege of hearing the word first from his family—specifically, from his grandmother and his mother.  

Eunice and Lois were continuing the long tradition that started with the Lord’s instructions recorded in Deuteronomy 6:5-7: 

“⁵ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. ⁶ And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: ⁷ And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” 

So what is God saying? He is telling us not to expect the pastor or Sunday school teacher to teach our children the scriptures. We are to teach them, and that takes moms who study the word, make it part of your life, and pass it on to your children. 

Eunice’s devotion changed her son’s life. Timothy went on to become one of the leading pastors we read about in the New Testament. 

Second, Eunice passed on to her son Timothy a sincere faith. 

Every parent passes on some traits to their children, such as big brown eyes, or a funny-shaped nose, or curly red hair.  All that is hereditary, but faith is not hereditary. But just because you follow Christ, this doesn’t mean your children will.  

Now, I think the key concept in 2 Timothy 1:5 that Paul calls Timothy’s faith an “…unfeigned faith…” “Unfeigned” means “sincere.”  Paul saw in Lois and Eunice a sincere faith that they had passed on to Timothy. 

Passing on a sincere faith means most of all giving your children the example of your consistent, godly lifestyle. 

And third, Eunice passed on to Timothy the desire to serve others.

In Acts 16:1-3, we read about Timothy beginning his missionary service accompanying Paul: 

“¹ Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: ² Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. ³ Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. ⁴ And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.” 

Paul was in the midst of a journey, having arrived at Lystra, where Timothy lived. Timothy had a solid reputation as a faithful Christian, and Paul wanted to take Timothy with him to help him in visiting and teaching groups of believers and establishing more churches. Timothy, raised by a godly mother and influenced by a faithful grandmother, eagerly agreed to accompany Paul in ministry. 

Eunice and Lois are great biblical examples for mothers today to emulate, because of their dedication to raising the child Timothy to love the scriptures, to find a deep and sincere faith, and to be dedicated to a desire to serve others. 

Presentation to Mothers

I would like to ask the young people of the church to come forward for their special presentation to recognize all of the mothers in our congregation this Mothers Day. Would all of the mothers please stand and remain standing until you receive your carnation.