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TEXT: II Timothy 1:3-5
SUBJECT: Women of the New Testament #17: Lois and Eunice
The early church was amply supplied with great members. It featured Apostles, miracle-workers, and martyrs. But within its ranks, none were greater than Lois and Eunice. They preached no sermons; performed no miracles; and died ordinary deaths. Yet no one was more heroic; nor did any contribute more to the cause of Christ.
What did they do that was so all-fired important? They brought up a boy. His name was Timothy; and he would become one of the leading figures and best men in church history. About him, the Apostle would say, "I have no one like-minded". It was to this young man that Paul would write his last will and testament.
Timothy, of course, like all Christians, was a product of grace. But this favor didn't just fall from heaven. It came through his mother and grandmother. By investing themselves in the life of this one child, Lois and Eunice have reaped a harvest, not yet complete.
In this way, they serve as an example to all Christian mothers. Never think that fulfillment lies in a career; or that mothering is what someone does if "she's too stupid to do anything else". Motherhood is a high calling. When done faithfully, it will be a blessing to you, your children, and generations to come. Presidents often think of "leaving their mark on history". Most of them don't. But the Lois's and Eunice's of the world do.
And so will you, dear ladies, "if you continue in faith, charity, love, and holiness with sobriety".
What made these women such good mothers? Two things: a devotion to Scripture and "a sincere faith".
Lois and Eunice taught Timothy the Bible. "From childhood--Paul wrote about him--"you have known the Holy Scriptures". And how did he acquire this knowledge? Not from his father, for he was a Greek, and thought it "foolishness". Nor from his school, for he grew up in Lystra, a city steeped in idolatry. No; his knowledge of Scripture came from his mother and grandmother.
But how did they teach him? Did they assign memory verses? Tell Bible stories? Use a catechism? We don't know. But we know this much about their teaching: it was early, thorough, balanced, and aimed.
Let's look at each in turn:
1.Early. "From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures..." This word means "infancy". It is applied to children who have to be carried, to children who are still nursing, even to children not yet born! Lois and Eunice wasted no time. Timothy took in the Word of God with his mother's milk. Instead of "Dada and Mama", his first words might have been..."Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego"!
Parents often underestimate their children's ability to learn. So they put off the teaching of Scripture till later years. But this is folly! It misses a golden opportunity. At no time is your child more ready to learn and less skeptical than the first three years. Take advantage of them.
Parents also forget that their children are learning. The only question is, "What?" They're either learning about God or idols; the truth or error; good works or bad works. If they're going to learn anyway, why not teach them well?
We don't like to think about it, but young children may die. Whether and how God gives faith to little ones, I don't know. But I do know this: I wouldn't want to stand over the grave of my child, knowing that he never heard these words: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved".
When it comes to teaching your children the Bible, never say, "Come back at a more convenient season". "Behold, now is the accepted time!"
2.Thorough. "From childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures...all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable..." From these two fragments, it would seem that Timothy was taught the whole Bible, and not just the parts his mother liked best.
If "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God"--then your children need to know more than "Noah built an ark" and "David killed the giant". This will require some thought and effort on your part. But they will be well spent.
When it comes to the teaching of our children, it is a dangerous thing to "take away from the word of the book of this prophecy". Shall we permit our laziness to "take away their names from the Book of Life"? I hope not.
3.Balanced. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..." Lois and Eunice neglected none of the above. Some of their teaching was "doctrinal"; some was "corrective"; some was what we might call "practical". This is our model:
a.Teach doctrine. This word scares some people. It conjures up technical jargon and abstract ideas. But it doesn't. Let me tell you some of the "doctrines" my children (ages 3 and 4) understand: monotheism, the trinity, the omnipresence and incorporeality of God, and the atonement of Christ. You're thinking: "Wow, they must be geniuses--or you're a liar!" They are not and neither am I. They have no idea what any of these "words" mean. But they do know this much:
1.There is only one God (monotheism).
2.God is God; Jesus is God; and the Holy Spirit is God (the trinity).
3.God is everywhere and has no body (His omnipresence and incorporeality).
4.Jesus died for sinners (the atonement).
b.Teach duty. "Reproof and correction" mean "don't do that". "Instruction in righteousness" means "do this". Tell them of their duties:
1.To God: repent of their sins; believe in Christ; give thanks to Him; obey His word; love Him with all of your heart, soul, and mind".
2.To their parents: "honor" and "obey".
3.To each other: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".
Try to balance the "do's" and the "don'ts". Some parents nag their children. Reward the good things they do as well as correct the bad.
But never present these things as a "covenant of works", as a way of saving themselves.
4.Aimed. Spurgeon said, "He who aims at nothing will be sure to hit his mark". What are you trying to do in teaching the Bible to your children? Let Paul answer: "From childhood, you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ". You're aiming at their salvation! Thus:
a.You ought to be sure that they understand the Gospel! For it, and it alone, is "the power of God unto salvation". Many parents are content if their children know the 10 Commandments or the Lord's Prayer! or the Books of the New Testament! But there is no salvation in any of those things! Remember, the Gospel is not something you do, but something Christ has done, i.e.,
"Died for our sins, according to the Scriptures,
was buried, and rose again the third day,
according to the Scriptures".
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Timothy, therefore, was a mighty blessed boy. He had a grandmother and mother who studied the Bible for themselves and taught him everything they knew! I wish every child in this building could say as much!
Lois and Eunice taught Timothy the Bible. This went a long ways toward making them a godly mother and grandmother. But not far enough. Something else is needed; and they provided that, too. Paul calls it "sincere (or, unfeigned") faith. In other words, they not only "talked the talk", but "walked the walk".
1.The sins they told Timothy to repent of--they repented of as well.
2.The Savior they begged Timothy to believe on--they believed on, too.
3.The Bible they urged Timothy to read--they read.
4.The commandments they ordered him to obey--they obeyed, too.
Oh, how often we have "built up with one hand...and torn down with the other!" We praise the Bible with our words, but trample it with our actions. This is especially true in the home. We condemn our children for the very things we do ourselves!
1.A mother tells her little boy to "God wants you to obey Mama"--and then turns around and defies her husband!
2.A dad spanks his son for tattling on his little brother--and then spends the night gossiping himself.
3.This is one I find both common and hard to understand--parents losing their temper about their children...losing their temper!
And so, it was by their sincere faith and devotion to the Bible that Lois and Eunice became "examples to those who believe".
This required no little effort on their parts. Their husbands, after all, were ungodly men. Certainly idolaters; and probably adulterers and wife-beaters as well. Thus it was a hard thing for Lois and Eunice to bring up this boy.
But do you think it was worth it? Timothy's life answers that question. "Their labors were not in vain in the Lord". Your's won't be either, dear mother or father. Your's won't be either.
We don't know how God will use it. But use it, He will. Therefore,
"Let us not be weary in well doing,
for in due season, we shall reap,
if we faint not."
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