May 12, 2024
READ: 2 Timothy 1 (Focus vs.3-5)
MEMORY VERSE
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice.” 2 Timothy 1:5
BACKGROUND
As teens, my sister and I didn’t understand my mom’s decision to receive Jesus as her Savior, but we couldn’t deny the changes we saw in her. She had more peace and joy and began faithfully serving at church.
She had such a hunger for studying the Bible that she attended and graduated from seminary. A few years after my mom’s decision, my sister accepted Christ and started serving Him. And a few years after that, I also placed my trust in Jesus and started serving Him.
Many years later, my father joined us in believing in Him as well. My mom’s decision for Christ created a life-changing ripple effect among our immediate and extended family.
When the apostle Paul wrote his final letter to Timothy and encouraged him to persevere in his faith in Jesus, he noted Timothy’s spiritual heritage.
“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” (2 Timothy 1:5).
Moms and grandmoms, your decisions can affect generations.
How beautiful that Timothy’s mom and grandmom helped nurture his faith so he could become the man God was calling him to be.
On this Mother’s Day and beyond, let’s honor mothers who’ve made a decision to follow Jesus.
Let’s also leave a spiritual legacy for our loved ones.
By: Nancy Gavilanes
INSIGHT
Though Paul affectionately called Timothy “my true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2; see 2 Timothy 1:2), he wasn’t the one who taught him about Jesus.
It was his own mother Eunice and grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5) who “taught [him] the holy Scriptures from childhood, and . . . [gave him] the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus” (3:15 NLT).
Timothy was of mixed parentage—a gentile father and Jewish mother. When Paul first met him, Timothy was already a leader and “the believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him” (Acts 16:2).
He became Paul’s intern, traveling companion, and trusted protégé (vv. 3-4; Philippians 2:19-22). That the apostle sent Timothy to deal with the troublesome Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 4:17) and to confront false teachers in the Ephesian church (1 Timothy 1:3) testify to this young man’s spiritual maturity and ministry leadership.
APPLICATION
Which godly women can you honor today? What kind of spiritual legacy would you like to leave for others?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
Moms and grandmoms, your decisions can affect generations… On this Mother’s Day and beyond, let’s honor mothers who’ve made a decision to follow Jesus.
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.”??? Gaspard Mermillod
“Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother.” Cleo Franklin Jr ???
PRAYER
“Father God, thank You for godly mothers. Please help me to also leave a spiritual legacy for others.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG”
“SOMEBODY PRAYED FOR ME”
Somebody prayed for me, had me on their mind,
They took the time and prayed for me.
I’m so glad they prayed
I’m so glad they prayed for me.
My MOTHER prayed for me, had me on her mind,
She took the time and prayed for me.
I’m so glad she prayed
I’m so glad she prayed for me.
The preacher prayed for me had me on his mind,
He took the time and prayed for me.
I’m so glad he prayed
I’m so glad he prayed for me.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
PSALMS 119: 121 – 144