How does a woman – a grandmother, a mother or even an aunt – influence a child to become a joyful, God loving, Christian adult? In this age of negative influences, where God’s word is increasingly taken out of schools and media and where television and movies are increasingly full of murder, immorality and hostility; how do we shelter children once they leave the protection of the home?

Is it possible to build God’s word into the next generation? How important are strong spiritual influences within the family? We, as adults, must make it our mission to build God’s love into a child so that they are equipped for life.
The mission begins now. It begins with becoming fully filled with God’s word. When God’s word is deep inside our beings, it will be evident to anyone close to us. God’s word will spill out of us to those we care about. As Deuteronomy commands, we will talk about God’s word while we sit with them or walk with them. It will be as natural as breathing in and breathing out. (Deuteronomy 11:18, 19)

Two women who were successful at this were Lois and Eunice; women mentioned in the New Testament of the bible. They poured their love for God into Timothy, Lois’ grandson, Eunice’s son.

Timothy was a young church leader. The apostle Paul wrote two personal letters to Timothy in which it is evident that he held Timothy in high esteem. In 2 Timothy 1:2, Paul calls Timothy "my beloved son." Timothy was his spiritual son and beloved protégé.

In Acts 16:1 it is noted that Timothy’s mother was a Jewess and a believer but his father was a Greek. As a Greek, his father would have known little about God but Timothy received training through his mother, Eunice and grandmother, Lois. We are told that Timothy had been taught the Holy Scriptures since he was an infant. He had been fully prepared for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 3:15, 16)


Paul acknowledged the sincere faith of Lois and Eunice and saw that same faith living in Timothy. (2 Timothy 1:5) Timothy may have been led to faith in Christ by Paul but I am inclined to think that it was his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice who steered him to the Savior. They had already given him a firm foundation in Scripture and when they became believers in Jesus, it would have been natural to teach Timothy about their new found hope.

Lois and Eunice knew that if Timothy had a good spiritual foundation, he would be strong as he grew to adulthood. ( Proverbs 22:6)

They knew that in giving him this foundation, he would have inner guidance that would never fail him because wisdom and understanding begins with the fear of the Lord.
(Proverbs 9:10)

So as mothers and grandmothers, let’s not entrust our children’s future to chance. Begin now to build a firm foundation of faith on which they will stand and grow.

• Pray for your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews. Pray that they will receive Christ early and will remain in Him throughout life.
  
• Start now to plan how you will make scripture a natural part of everyday life so that it easily becomes a part of a child's life.

A Walk With the Women of the Bible EBook by Lynne Chapman Join me in getting to know some amazing women of the Bible while we extract valuable insights and lessons from their lives. Now available for Kindle under new title A Walk With EVE Also available in paperback from Cafe Press.

Names of God Ebook Almighty God. The Creator of heaven and earth. Our God is given names in Scripture that describe the characteristics of His personality. Experience God.