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The Influence of a Godly Mom
(2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-17)
Yearly Theme: “Faithfulness Is…”
Series Title: ““Respectable” Sins”
May 11th, 2025

Something to think about:
“The story is told of a young girl whose mother was very beautiful except for her hands, which were shriveled and scarred and hideous. Although the child was reluctant to speak about them, the time came when she asked her mother how her hands became so marred.

“The mother told her how their house caught fire when the girl was very little. The mother rushed upstairs to the room where the girl was sleeping in her crib, and with the help of the Lord, was able to carry her downstairs and outside without being harmed. However, in doing so, the mother's hands were terribly burned.

“This brought sobs to the child as she said, ‘O Mother, you know I've always loved you-especially your face, your smile, your eyes, but better than all that, now I love your hands.’”[1]

A mother’s love and sacrifice leave an imprint on a child’s life like no other. And though not everyone has the experience of a loving, caring mother, a mother’s influence can shape a child for the rest of their lives. Case and point, a young man by the name of Timothy in the New Testament is such a young man. His grandmother and mother had such a godly influence on his life that he became one of the most well-known church leaders in Church history. Let’s take a closer look at Timothy’s upbringing and how the women in his life impacted his trajectory from infancy into adulthood.


[1] Unknown Source

According to John Stott, “Paul refers in this paragraph both to his own and to Timothy’s ancestry, to his ‘forefathers’ (v.3, literally) and to Timothy’s mother and grandmother (v.5). This was right, for every person is to a great extent the product of his/her inheritance. The most formative influence on each of us has been our parentage and our home. Hence, good biographies never begin with their subject, but with his/her parents, and probably his/her grandparents as well. True, no one can inherit his/her parents’ faith in the way that he/she inherit facets of their personality. But a child can be led to faith by his/her parents’ teaching, example, and prayers.”[1]

Key Point: “The influence of a Godly mom can change the course of a child’s life.”

What can we learn about the influence of Timothy’s grandmother and mother on his life? Let’s take a closer look:


[1] Stott, John R. W. 1973. Guard the Gospel the Message of 2 Timothy. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

· Genuine ______________.

2 Timothy 1:5a (NLT), I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice.

· Passed ______________.

2 Timothy 1:5b, 3:15 (NLT), 1:5b And I know that same faith continues strong in you. … 3:14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.

· ______________ to receive ______________.

2 Timothy 3:15 (NLT), 3:15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

Something to take home:
The legacy we leave behind is evidenced in the lives we’ve influenced. In Timothy’s case, his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice left a legacy of spiritual nurture that impacted not only him, but the early Church in a mighty way that continues to have ripple effects for believers today.

Moms, be encouraged today. You make a difference. And if you haven’t done what you think you should have done, make the necessary changes and leave the rest to GOD. Remember, He who began a good work in you will be faithful to continue his work until it is finished on the day that Christ Jesus returns.[1]

Key Point: “The influence of a Godly mom can change the course of a child’s life.”


[1] Philippians 1:6.

Read 2 Timothy 1:5 and 3:14-15.

As Paul writes his second letter to Timothy, who is the leader of the Church in Ephesus, he remembers the faith of Timothy’s grandmother (Lois) and mother (Eunice).How did Timothy’s grandmother and mother influence his faith in Christ?

Though Paul taught Timothy many things about the Christian Faith, much of what Timothy learned was rooted in his childhood through the influence of the women in his family.Who was/were the influencer/s in your life of faith?Do you still hold them in high esteem today?Why or why not?

Since today is Mother’s Day, who are the women in your life who have made a difference for the better in your upbringing and development?Though it may not be your own mother or grandmother, who filled those roles for you in a positive way?

What would you change about your childhood, if anything?Why?

How are you being, or have you been, a Lois or Eunice in your child’s (or someone else’s) life?It’s never too late to start.

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