
What a Difference a Mom Makes
2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-17
Darrin Mariott, Lead Pastor
Big Idea: More than ever, moms make a difference.
I. A Mother’s Influence (vv. 1:5; 3:14)
2 Timothy 1:5
5 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 Timothy 3:14-17
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it15 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.16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
A. Timothy had the Apostle Paul for a mentor, but it was his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois that had the first major impact in his relationship to Jesus. There is simply no substitute for the godly example of a parent or grandparent on a child.
B. In Timothy’s example, we see the importance of:
1. Godly influence – A godly heritage gives us an example worth more than any lesson or lecture.
2. Godly example – A person’s home life has an impact that shapes them in numerous ways.
3. A strong faith (cf. Deut. 4:9-10; Eph. 6:4) – Parents are tasked with modeling faith to the next generation.
Deuteronomy 4:9-10
9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children10 how on the day that you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.’
Ephesians 6:4
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
C. When it comes to character development, moms are essential. We tend to absorb the character traits we’re exposed to (cf. 1 Cor. 15:33). Traits like kindness, compassion, patience, love, or the lack thereof make an impression. As such, it is important to use our influence wisely.
1 Corinthians 15:33
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
II. A Mother’s Impact (vv. 3:14-17)
A. Paul’s main purpose here was not so much as to praise Timothy’s mother and grandmother as it was to remind him of what he learned and to exhort him to live it out. Paul knew the impact of their instruction and example and relied on its power to strengthen Timothy in trials and tribulations.
B. We see the impact of:
1. Biblical teaching (vv. 14-17; cf. Deut. 6:4-7) – It’s crucial to instruct our children in the doctrines of the faith.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
2. A faithful life (cf. Acts 16:1) – Eunice was faithful to God despite a husband who was probably not a Christian.
Acts 16:1
1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek.
3. A Prayerful life (cf. Prov. 22:6) – The impact and power of a mother’s prayers simply cannot be calculated this side of heaven.
Proverbs 22:6
6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
C. Recent years have been hard on everyone, but according to research, it has been particularly hard on moms, especially working moms. Today, let’s do what we can to thank, support, and encourage moms!