"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." (II Timothy 1:5)
One of the first things that Paul mentions in his letter to his disciple, Timothy, is an appreciation for Timothy's sincere faith. According to Paul, you can see where Timothy was introduced into and schooled in his faith...his mother and his grandmother.
Timothy became a pastor of a church in an extremely influential city in his day, Ephesus. According to what we read in the book of Acts, it seems that Paul may have spent more time building the Ephesus church than any other that he had a hand in. And he entrusted the leadership of this church to his most trusted associate, Timothy.
How was Timothy able to reach such heights in the faith? What equipped him to serve in such an influential place? It was God's Word that had penetrated his heart and mind that did it. And it was Lois and Eunice who planted that Word deep within him. Later in his letter, read what Paul says to him, "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (II Timothy 3:14-15)
From his childhood, the women in Timothy's life engrained God's Word into him. And, by God's grace, Timothy believed it and was made wise for salvation. Jesus saved him! And Timothy had Granny and Mama to thank!
In Titus 2:3-5, Paul instructs Titus to teach the women in his congregation in Crete to train the ladies who are younger and less experienced in the faith than themselves.
What are we to gather from this? It seems very clear that the godly influence of sound, strong, faithful women is crucial to the development of those in the home and those in the church. In so many cases, the link between God and an individual is a woman. A grandmother, mother, sister, friend, mentor or whatever relationship they share.
Ladies, do you hunger to become a "Lois" in God's kingdom? It seems that this role that God has and will equip you for is quite literally the highest calling you can be called to. Will you pursue that role and embrace it as God's calling for you?
Will you please, for the sake of the home, the church, and the kingdom, become a "Lois"? Please learn the Word and please teach it to us. We need it desperately!
"The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living." (Genesis 3:20)
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