In a time when young people are obsessing over the materialistic, disrespecting their elders, and increasingly violent to one another, people wonder what’s gone wrong. We want to know how we can make it better. Let me suggest a solution: The strong, influential Christian mother. Mother’s have a profound impact on the lives of their children. For better or worse, mothers shape their children. Through examining the life of one of Christ’s most faithful servants, Timothy, the benefit of a mother positively affecting her child can be clearly seen. Timothy’s mother Eunis gave him three characteristics that made him a beloved and needed disciple of Christ- spirituality, a strong moral compass, and a sound work ethic.

Spirituality:

Timothy was said to have “genuine faith” passed from his grandmother to his mother and finally him (2Tim. 1:5). Timothy had a belief in God and in the Lord that gave him the strongest foundation a person can have- a deeply spiritual one. Timothy didn’t have a superficial faith, the bible says his was genuine meaning authentic and indisputable. For generations in his family, Mother’s had taught their children who God was and the importance of serving Him. The faith that Timothy had was thanks to a God-fearing mother.

Strong Moral Compass: In Philippians 2:20-22, Paul describes Timothy to the saints of Philippi. He says, “For I have no one like [Timothy], who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel” (NIV). Timothy was being sent to the Philippians because he was honest, humble and trustworthy. Christians knew that Timothy was about the Lord
and the Church and not about himself. Timothy’s character, well-known throughout the brotherhood, reflects moral fibers instilled in him by his mother (Acts 16:1).

Sound Work Ethic:

Timothy was definitely someone that everyone respected. Timothy went from city to city with Paul helping to instructing the congregations about the decisions made by the apostles and the elders at Jerusalem (Acts 16:4). The bible says, “The churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily” (Act 16:5).Timothy’s assistance and dedication was a big part of the success of the early church. Timothy’s mother gave him such a profound faith and positive character that he was well aware of the significance of spreading the gospel and knew that he had to work as hard as he could to accomplish his mission.

In 2Timothy 3:15 Paul tells Timothy, “From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus”. Timothy’s mother gave him the tools he needed to not only become a well-rounded adult but a vital soldier in the cause of Christ.

Jaz Gray