A Godly Heritage from Mom

Written by Greg Gifford | Associate Pastor of Counseling and Life Groups

Hello Faith Family,

Timothy’s dad didn’t disciple him. Luke says of Timothy, “Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek …” (Acts 16:1). We have no record of Timothy’s dad opening Scripture with him. We have no evidence of Timothy’s dad sharing about the Messiah. We have no record of any of that. Rather, we see that Mom was who really influenced Timothy. Eunice was Timothy’s mom, and she had a reputation of an “unhypocritical faith” (2 Tim. 1:5). Paul knew Timothy’s mom before he knew Timothy. Moms are one of the most influential disciplers that the Lord gives to us.

We know that dads are called to be disciplers. Ephesians 6:4 is addressed to fathers: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Paul intentionally addresses dads as the discipler, both here in Ephesians and in Colossians 3:21. It’s true, a father is to take the lead on discipling his family and in a best-case scenario, dads are rising up to do that. However, we know that the “best-case” is not always the reality. Timothy’s dad wasn’t a Christian, and many men and women in modern times don’t have a believing father.

Mom is thrust in the discipler role when dad is not doing so, like Eunice was.

Mom is thrust in the discipler role when dad is not doing so, like Eunice was. But from what the New Testament says of her, she was a godly woman who taught the Scripture to Timothy. 2 Timothy 3:14 says about Timothy that, “ … from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings.” From childhood! Eunice simply taught Timothy ever since he was a child the Old Testament, and the Lord used that in a spectacular way to save Timothy and purpose him for ministry. Paul would tell the Philippians that he “has no one like” Timothy (Phil. 2:20).

While it is God’s will for a father to take spiritual leadership in the home, often a mom is the practical discipler. 

She, like the Proverbs 31 woman, “opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue” (v. 13).

A mom is often with her kids more than dad is, or she is the one that kids feel more comfortable opening up to. I, like other dads, want to be that spiritual leader but know that the kids like to just talk to mom sometimes.

On Mother’s Day, we have an opportunity to reflect on the way the Lord has used our moms in our lives. More than that, we can give thanks for the spiritual moms in our lives. Paul tells Timothy to treat “older women as mothers” (1 Tim. 5:2). And, of course, for those who are moms currently, Mother’s Day is an opportunity to encourage and give thanks for them, as well.

Here are a few practical thoughts to translate Mother’s Day into honoring ladies and moms in a Christ-exalting way:

  • If you are a lady, then try to be that Eunice-type lady who is teaching the Word to both your biological and spiritual children. Give your children a legacy of godliness that is grounded in the Word.
  • Second, find that spiritual mom to learn from. I so value the wisdom of older ‘moms’ in the body of Christ and the giftedness that comes with them. Many of us are who we are because an older woman in the body of Christ took us in and mentored us … and occasionally fed us.
  • Be sensitive to those who’d love to be a mom, but the Lord hasn’t opened those doors (or opened them yet). At times, we can just blaze through Mother’s Day and fail to honor the faithful ladies who would love to be a mom, but to who God hasn’t provided children yet. We want faithful ladies to know of the deep impact they are making whether they are moms or not.
  • Teach your biological/spiritual children to honor women. Jesus honored women. Paul honored women. We should honor women. The culture can cultivate a brutish insensitivity to women, but the church—of all places—should honor women with the honor they are due.
  • Lastly, as a spiritual mom, please use your gifts. We need you. Not to make it sound weird, but we are a generation that needs wise-mentor-ladies to speak truth, teach, encourage, equip, serve, go on missions trips, and be an example to us all. We, that is the church, need you. Amongst the busyness of your life caring for children and grandchildren, we need you at church, as well.

Your Servant,