A faithful mother raises her children for ministry.

Not everyone is equipped for professional ministry. Parable of the Talents. Jesus expects us to minister and serve one

another. Washing the disciples’ feet. “Each has received a gift, use it to serve one

another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Pet 4:10).

Acts 16:1-5

Timothy is a disciple. Paul likely converted Timothy on the First

Missionary Journey (Acts 14:8-23). Paul often calls Timothy his son.

“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you” (1 Tim 1:18).

If Paul converted Timothy, what role did Eunice and Lois serve?

They prepared the soil of Timothy’s heart. Timothy’s faith first dwelt in Eunice and Lois (2 Tim 1:5). Timothy had known Scripture from childhood (2 Tim 3:15).

A faithful mother raises her children for ministry.

How can modern mothers raise their

children for ministry?

One: You teach Scripture to your children. “From childhood you have been acquainted with

the sacred writings” (2 Tim 3:15). How could Timothy have known Scripture from

childhood if his mother didn’t teach him?

We know very little about Timothy’s father, except that he was a Greek. It seems quite certain that Timothy’s father was

not a believer (Acts 16:1). Timothy had not been circumcised.

A Greek would not have known the sacred writings.

You need to be teaching Scripture to your children. I’d urge you to have a set time every day for Bible study.

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word” (Ps 119:9).

“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17).

“That’s my husband’s job!” “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in

the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). But:

Timothy’s father wasn’t going to do it. A wife is a helper for her husband.

“It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” (Gen 2:18).

Bible class is important!

Two: You translate Scripture to your children. Translate the living Word into your life! “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 Tim 1:5). “Dwell” means that Scripture is filling you and

influencing you.

Examples can be so powerful: Jehoshaphat “walked in the way of Asa his father

and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the LORD” (2 Chron 20:32).

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me -- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4:9).

The example of a godly woman can impact generations to come (1 Pet 3:1-2).

What example are you setting? Think long and hard about how to improve

your example.

Do you need to set an

example of following

Jesus?