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. use it to serve one another “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 L ORD ” (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?