Outline for Timothy’s Mother’s Day wish for his mom

by Jonathan Spurlock
(Holts Summit, MO)

Introduction: Timothy was a companion of the Apostle Paul and ministered with him in many ways. Unlike many of the men in the New Testament, Timothy had the privilege of having his mother’s and grandmother’s names recorded for us in Scripture. Timothy seems to have spent most of his adult life away from his home, but I’m sure he never stopped thinking about his mother and grandmother. If he could express his thanks on Mother’s Day, I’m sure he would say something along these lines.

Text: 2 Timothy 1:1-5
I. He would say, “Thanks for staying true to the faith!”

A. Distance: She lived a long way away from Jerusalem. Would have been easy to ignore or even reject the faith of her ancestors.

B. Marriage: we have no idea who Timothy’s father was. His name isn’t given, nor his physical characteristics, except he was a Greek (pagan Greek? Hellenistic Jew? We don’t’ know). Did he leave her after she became a Christian?

C. Opposition: she could have joined the anti-Christian part of the local Jewish community. But she didn’t, she heard the gospel and believed it.

II. He would say, “Thanks for raising me right!”

A Paul said he had known the scriptures since childhood

B Eunice seemed to have a working knowledge of the Scriptures

C She had to have a desire to know the Word!
Note: seldom was the Law even taught to women

III. He would say, “Thanks for letting me serve the Lord!”

A Was he an only son, or an only child? Who was going to help his mother when she couldn’t help herself?
Question: did Paul have Eunice in mind when he spoke of the church helping certain widows?

B She agreed to let Timothy go with Paul on the missionary journeys

C Timothy stayed faithful, even going to prison (see Hebrews 13)

Conclusion: Timothy wasn’t perfect—no preacher is. Yet, he had a faith in God, the blessing of his mother, and the reward of serving the Lord Jesus Christ. Eunice may have had her misgivings about seeing her (only?) son leave, maybe never to return, but she was faithful to the Lord. Even better, she knew her son shared the same faith. Could a mother hope for anything better?

Scripture quotations are taken from the NASB. http://www.lockman.org