Highest duty of parenthood
By By Ken Askew
"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." ESV 2 Timothy 1:5
This past Sunday, Mother's Day, I had an opportunity to speak at a local church. Being the special day that it was, I wanted to speak about some of the godly women mentioned in the Bible. I considered Eve, the mother of all living; Sarah, the wife of Abraham; Ruth, Naomi's daughter in-law; even Mary, the mother of Jesus.
But I was led to two lesser known women; Lois and Eunice.
As far as I can tell, Lois and Eunice were a couple of very ordinary women.
Scripture mentions their names only once and that mention is hardly spectacular. Lois was the mother of Eunice. And Eunice was the mother of a young preacher named Timothy with whom the Apostle Paul spent no small amount of time counseling and mentoring.
But as I studied these two ordinary women, I came to the realization that their lives had and extraordinary impact. Their ordinary lives had an impact on eternity because they embraced the highest duty of parenthood; they shared their faith. Think about it.
What greater gift can we impart to our children than a saving knowledge of God? I'll go so far as to say that sharing your faith in the One True God of the Bible is the highest calling of parenthood. Paul tells us that these two women shared their faith with Timothy; a young man called out by God as a preacher.
The fruit of their sharing is apparent. Paul tells us that faith resided first in Lois, then in Eunice and finally with Timothy. And Timothy's life must have given evidence of his internal faith because Paul says that he is "sure" that Timothy is a man of sincere faith. Timothy does more than pay lip-service to his faith; Timothy is living his faith. What a wonderful testimony!
This testimony of Timothy's faith reminds me of Paul's words in Romans 10:14: "But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"
We don't know who shared their faith with Lois. But I perceive that she shared with Eunice and that they both shared with Timothy. And what was the result? The good news, that Christ is the way of salvation, was heard. The good news was believed. The good news took root. And the good news was shared with others.
Parents, you have no greater calling than as Christ's witness to your children. Be sure they have heard the good news of Jesus Christ.
Ken Askew worships at Tharptown Baptist Church in Russellville where he leads an adult Bible study. Comments are welcome and may be sent to kenaskew@charter.net.
