A Legacy of Faith – Eunice and Lois
Are you leaving a legacy of faith for your children and grandchildren? Steph reminds us of the faith of Eunice and Lois and the remarkable legacy they left behind.
Stephanie is a freelance writer and a contributor to our Christian internet radio station, HopeStreamRadio.
Contact us if you are seeking truth and spiritual answers.
A Legacy of Faith
Second Timothy 1:5 says,
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (ESV).
This is such a simple verse, one we could easily miss. But let’s take a few minutes to consider it. We’ll learn how these women were just like us and how we can learn from them.
Were Lois and Eunice wealthy women? I don’t know. Were they women “of high standing” as we discussed last time? I don’t know that either. However, I do know they had tremendous influence down through the millennia. Their widespread influence may not have been direct, but it makes a lasting impression to this day.
The Faith of Eunice & Lois
Who was Paul speaking of when he said, “… your sincere faith”? These words are from the apostle’s second letter to Timothy. Paul also refers to the faith of the young man’s mother and grandmother. It made an impression on the apostle. And, obviously, it made an impression on Timothy as well.
Their faith was evident. They must have done more than offer lip service to the Lord. Their actions must have backed up their words. The same should be true of us as well. And if anyone will know if they don’t, it’s the members of our family.
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Does Our Faith Influence our Lives
While none of us will get it right 100 percent of the time, the members of our household will soon discover if what we say about matters of faith actually influences the day-to-day choices we make. I suspect Lois and Eunice lived out their faith as best they could.
This doesn’t mean they went around drawing attention to themselves, seeking to convince others how spiritual they were. We need only read through the Gospels to see that those who did so were not commended. In fact, they were rightly accused of hypocrisy.
Matthew 23:27-28 says,
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (ESV).
Commended For Faith
I’m sure all of us would rather be commended for our faith rather than being chastised for being hypocrites. If this is to be the case, we must be careful that our actions match our words. And as we do so, like Lois and Eunice, we will have a lasting impact on the lives of others, especially those closest to us.
We’ve often spoken of our own circle of influence and how important it is to use that influence wisely. Shaunti Feldhahn, in her book Life Ready Woman, teaches that one of our primary responsibilities as Christian woman is to share the gospel with the next generation.
Many of us are mothers. Many are grandmothers. But even those who do not have children, can have an influence on the next generation. Teaching Sunday School or a midweek kids’ program. Mentoring a teen from church. Volunteering in the local elementary school. Joining the Big Sister program. There are so many possibilities!
Deliberate in Sharing our Faith
What can we do to be deliberate when it comes to sharing our faith?
We must tend to our personal walk with the Lord. We must spend time studying His Word, praying, and fellowshipping with other believers, as well as developing other spiritual disciplines as well. However, it isn’t enough to do so on our own—not if we want to have the kind of impact these two women had.
We must seek to include our children and grandchildren in the study of God’s Word, in prayer, in times of Christian fellowship. To this day, I wish we’d developed a consistent time of family devotions. I wish we’d talked more openly about our individual spiritual journeys. I wish we’d prayed more together. I also wish we’d taken advantage of the teachable moments that presented themselves over the years. My heart still hurts because of missed opportunities—and my youngest is turning 28 in the near future.
Lois and Eunice’s Legacy of Faith
Did Lois and Eunice get it right all the time? No, I’m sure they didn’t. After all, they were fallible humans, just like us. But partially because of their influence, Timothy became one of the early church leaders. We read about him in 1 and 2 Timothy and learn from Paul’s instructions to this young man.
Did Lois and Eunice have any idea the legacy they would leave or the fact that they would be remembered more than 2,000 years later? I’m certain they didn’t. They lived out their faith and impacted the generations to come—long after they could have imagined.
What are we doing today to impact our children and grandchildren? How are we reaching out to the children, youth, and young adults the Lord is bringing across our path? How are we impacting them with the truths of God’s Word?
Let’s prayerfully ask ourselves these questions and others as to how we can leave the best kind of lasting impression on the lives we touch—and those we will impact down through the years.
Just like Eunice and Lois, let’s seek to leave a legacy of faith for the generations to come.
Steph Nickel
Stephanie is a freelance writer and a contributor to our Christian internet radio station, HopeStreamRadio.
Read and hear more from Steph Nickel on the contributor’s page or at Steph Nickel’s Eclectic Interests.
Stephanie’s show, “Family Life Lessons,” airs from Monday to Friday on HopeStreamRadio.
Read About Other Great Women of Faith:
Set Free- How Mary Magdalene Was Just Like Us
Mary, The Mother of Jesus – A Servant of the Lord
The Story of Zechariah and Elizabeth – God Fulfills His Promises
David & Bathsheba – The Complicated Story of the Wife of Uriah
Tamar – A Story of Mercy and Grace
Jesus & The Samaritan Woman – A Sinner in Need of a Saviour
Just Like Us – What Can we Learn from the Widow of Nain?
More Podcasts You May Enjoy:
How Does a Leader Follow Jesus?
The Crucifixion of Christ – Psalm 22
John B MacDonald – A Request That Takes Courage
Images courtesy of:
Woman Walking – Fotorech
Mother & Baby – PublicDomainPictures
Jesus and Pharisees – James Tissot
Woman and Child on Beach – sasint
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Ray Marshall says
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