Session 19

Lois and Eunice

From Eve & Adam: 30-Day Bible Study

Inheritances are passed down from generation to generation, whether monetary or spiritual. Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, was the first one in his family to believe in God, and she raised her daughter, Eunice, to have the same “sincere faith.” We can extrapolate that Timothy spent time with his grandmother, but even if he never knew her, his mother spent time with her mother. And God’s word doesn’t return void:

“...from everlasting to everlasting
   the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
   and his righteousness with their children’s children” (Psalm 103:17).

Because Lois loved and obeyed God, the Lord worked the same miracle of faith in her daughter, Eunice, and in her daughter’s son, Timothy. It is because of Timothy’s faith that we have the letters the Apostle Paul wrote to him. Grandmother Lois left a spiritual inheritance for her family that has benefited countless generations after her.

“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
   but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous” (Proverbs 13:22).

Mothers and grandmothers, you have an important job to do. You have children to steward. You speak into their lives more than ANY other human. What they hear from you echoes in their hearts and minds for the rest of their lives. What they see you do becomes their habit. The identity and character of generations of people are shaped by their mothers and even grandmothers.

Fathers and grandfathers obviously have a huge role to play in sharing our Heavenly Father’s love with their children, but mothers spend more time on average with their children. Time equals intimacy. It’s no coincidence that children generally feel closer to their mothers.

What kind of spiritual inheritance will you leave for your children and their children? One of faith in God, or one of cynicism and despair? Choose wisely.

1. What kind of spiritual inheritance did your mother and grandmother leave you?

2. Do you want to pass that on to your children? What do you want to pass on?