Planting Seeds for the Next Generation

Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash

You may have heard of a fellow in the New Testament named Timothy. There are two letters addressed to him (1 and 2 Timothy). He was one of Paul's partners in ministry in his missionary work in the book of Acts, popping up in chapters 16-20. He was with Paul when he wrote Romans (16:21), Philippians (1:1), the Thessalonian letters (1:1 in both), and more, and the apostle sent him to preach to the Corinthians (1 Cor 4:17; 2 Cor 1:19). Paul described Timothy as like a son to him (Phil 2:22)

You may have heard of Timothy before—but have you ever heard about Lois? What about Eunice? Because, without them, you never would have heard of Timothy.

Right after the “Dear Timothy” (1:2), the letter of 2 Timothy begins like this:

I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. (2 Tim 1:3-5)

Eunice was Timothy’s mother, and Lois was his grandmother. These two women were remembered for their sincere faith, which they managed to hand down, through the generations, until it lived in Timothy, too. They are the reason why, in Acts chapter 16, when Paul firsts meets Timothy, he’s already known as a “disciple” (16:1). Timothy wasn’t a product of Paul’s mission, but he became one of the driving forces behind it—because of a couple of faithful women who raised him up in the faith.

Lately, at our Wednesday night Bible studies at Eastlawn UMC, we’ve been learning about “Forgotten Women of the Bible.” I shared about one of those forgotten women, who anointed Jesus in Nain in Luke 7, a few weeks back. Today I wanted to highlight these two women as well, because I think they remind us of something so important. To all of you moms and grandmothers out there: don’t underestimate the difference you’re making in a child’s life.

I know so many grandmothers who have faithfully carted their grandkids back and forth to church for years and so many mothers who have been doing everything they know how to try and instill an abiding faith in their kids—but they worry. They worry about the influences of friends, peers, other family members, teachers, and social media overpowering the examples and lessons they’ve given those children.

If that’s you, I get it. I’ve heard too many stories about PKs not to be concerned about what my girls will believe when they get older. At the same time: never doubt that you are having an impact. Never doubt that those conversations and Sunday mornings and gift Bibles and prayers are planting seeds that can sprout and grow throughout their lifetime.

You can’t control what that looks like or when it might happen, but you can still do your part. Paul, looking back on his ministry in Corinth, wrote, “I planted, Apollos [another Christian teacher] watered, but God gave the growth.” (1 Cor 3:6) You plant. Or maybe you water. You do your part. Then you entrust your child, your grandchild, to the Lord who gives the growth.

And who knows? One day that kid might be a Timothy.

And you—you would be her Eunice. You would be his Lois.

Listen to this right here: