the story of eunice and lois - international mission...

WEEK FIVE: INVESTING IN THE KINGDOM

The Story of Eunice and Lois in Acts 16:1-5, 2 Timothy 3:14-16 and 1Timothy 1:1-5

Key verse:Don’t collect for yourselves

treasures on earth, where

moth and rust destroy and

where thieves break in and

steal. But collect for your-

selves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust

destroys, and where thieves

don’t break in and steal. For

where your treasure is, there

your heart will be also.

—Matthew 6:19-21

Anticipate: “to look forward to” or “expect”

What does it mean to live a life of significance? I began asking this ques-tion with intensity as a young mother. I wanted our three daughters to reflect God’s character, but I observed them acquiring my habits instead. I didn’t always like what I saw! About the same time several young women in our fellowship in Norfolk were diagnosed with terminal illnesses. As I visited these mothers and ministered to their families, I began to grapple with the brevity of life. I had an overwhelming sense of urgency to prioritize my time and resources. I also was being challenged in new ways to “seek first the kingdom.” I began reading biographies of pioneer missionaries like Lilias Trotter, Amy Carmichael, Lottie Moon and Ann Judson. Through daily choices, these women died to themselves as they followed Jesus to the ends of the earth. God’s love for the world compelled them! They put the needs of the lost before their own security, comfort or reputations. They saw significance through the lens of God’s Word and invested mind, soul and body in the kingdom.

For Lilias Trotter, significance meant leaving a wealthy, privileged family in Victorian England to sail for Algeria in 1888 at her own expense. As a single, 39-year-old woman with a heart condition, no mission agency would send her. Her call to pioneer work among Muslims led her to the harvest fields of North Africa. She enrolled in the University of Algiers and studied Arabic. She spent the next 42 years using her remarkable gifts as an artist, strategist and linguist to share Jesus’ love. She illustrated children’s Bible story books, wrote stories for women and helped translate Scripture — all in colloquial Arabic.

Many missionary women — including Lilias Trotter, Ann Judson, Amy Carmichael and Lottie Moon — have used their writing gifts to leave future generations of women a clear message of eternal significance. As I’ve read their writings, I have discovered you don’t have to be a biological mother to invest as a “spiritual mother.” Lilias, Amy and Lottie never married or had children, but they invested their lives in “spiritual children” by telling God’s

Day One

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story and nurturing the next generation of disciples. Bold and courageous, these women glorified God and advanced His kingdom in hard places. They often violated the cultural strictures of what was considered proper for young women. A common theme radiates from their writings — “With God all things are possible.” As Western women, we have so many blessings — edu-cation, freedoms and financial resources. Will we invest our blessings in eter-nity or will we squander God’s riches on things that don’t last? Jesus reminds us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

Our study this week focuses on two godly women — Eunice and her mother, Lois. They raised a godly son in a home without the influence of a believing father. These women invested their lives in grounding Timo-thy in the Scriptures early in life. When the Apostle Paul and his mission team traveled into Asia, they recruited Timothy to join them. Eunice and Lois released Timothy to follow Jesus wherever He led — even to the ends of the earth. Without modern conveniences like satellite phones or e-mail to help them stay in touch with their boy, these biological and “spiritual mothers” sent Timothy to plant churches in uncharted territory.

1. Read this week’s selected Scriptures (below). Earlier in Acts, Paul

and Barnabas had preached among the Gentiles and many church-

es were planted on their first missionary journey into Asia. After

a “strong disagreement” with Barnabas, his long-time mentor and

encourager, Paul strikes out on his second missionary journey with

Silas and Luke as traveling companions. Before reading the story,

ask the Lord to give you ears to hear what He is saying to you today.

Then he [Paul] went on to Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman, but his father was a Greek. The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him. Paul wanted Timothy to go with him, so he took him and circum- cised him because of the Jews who were in those places, since they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they traveled through the towns, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem for them to observe. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and were increased in number daily. (Acts 16:1-5)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, for the promise of life in Christ Jesus: To Timothy, my dearly loved child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

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I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my forefathers did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy, clearly recalling your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice, and that I am convinced is in you also. (2 Timothy 1:1-5; The Apostle Paul writing a second letter to Timothy)

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing those from whom you learned, and that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness … (2 Timothy 3:14-16) 2. Today’s study will introduce our story by concentrating on the

Apostle Paul and how he met Timothy. For background, read Acts

15:36-41 and answer the questions below.

• WhywasPaultravelingthroughDerbeandLystra?

• WhydidBarnabasandPauldisagreeandpartcompany?

• AfterchoosingSilasashismissionpartner,whatdidPauldoin

SyriaandCilicia?

3. Has a conflict in ministry ever derailed you from the task of sharing

Jesus?WhatdoPaulandBarnabasteachyouaboutstayingfocused?

4. Looking again at Acts 16:1-5, answer the following questions

about Timothy.

• Howishedescribedinthetext?

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• Whatdoyouknowabouthismother?

• Whatdoyoulearnabouthisfather?

• WhatkindofreputationdidTimothyhaveamongthebelieversin

LystraandIconium?

5. Circumcision was usually performed on Jewish boys when they

wereeightdaysold.Whydoyouthinkthisriteofpassagewasnot

performedonTimothywhenhewasababy?Whatcouldthissug-

gestabouthisfather?WhydidPaulcircumciseTimothy?

6. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy. The second letter was written

while Paul was in prison in Rome and Timothy was pastor at the

churchinEphesus.WhatdoyoulearnaboutPaul’srelationship

withTimothyfromthegreetingin2Timothy1:1-5?WhatdidPaul

doforTimothy“nightandday”?

7.AsktheLordtohelpyouapplythelessonsfromtoday’sstudy.Do

youseepotentialinayoungbeliever?Howcouldyoubea“spiri-

tualmother”tosomeonetoday?

8. Close your study today by praying for your partners in ministry

and for pastors and missionaries who may be struggling with

broken relationships and team unity. Ask the Lord to help them

to stay focused on the task God has given them.

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Day TwoPrepare: “things done to make ready”

As you think and meditate on the story, you participate in the Spirit’swork of teaching and applying the Word.

1. Read this week’s selected Scripture passages again. Focus your

attention on Eunice and Lois.

2.WhatdidPaulrecognizeinTimothy’sheritage?

3.HowwouldyoudescribeLois?WhatdidshepassontoEunice?

4.WhatdidEuniceinvestinTimothy?

5. In spite of a lack of support from a godly father, what did Eunice

teachTimothy?WhendidshestartteachingTimothytheScriptures?

6.ReadDeuteronomy6:4-7.LikeotherJewishboys,Timothywould

have learned this Old Testament confession. Think about the

Scripture passage and about what you’ve observed in your own

life:Whendoparentstransmitmostlifelessonstotheirchildren?

Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)

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7. In Acts 16, Timothy is described as a “disciple.” Read the words of

Jesus in John 15:7-8.

• Whatdoyoulearnaboutbeingadisciple?

• HowdoesJohnsayourFatherisglorified?

8. In 2 Timothy 1, Paul speaks of “sincere faith.” How do we demon-

strate“sincerefaith”inourlives?

9. As you close your study time today, reflect on how you are abid-

inginGod’sWord.AreyoupassingHisWordontofuturegen-

erations?Areyounurturingotherswithyour“sincerefaith”?

Whatwouldotherssayaboutyourlife?Wouldtheyrecognizeyou

asafollowerofJesus?Writeyourreflectionsorprayerbelow.

Day ThreePrepare: “things done to make ready”

As you think and meditate on the story, you participate in the Spirit’swork of teaching and applying the Word.

1. Read our Scripture story again today. Our focus today is on priori-

ties. Eunice and Lois invested in what they considered most pre-

cious,instillinginTimothyaloveforGod,HisWordandHisworld.

“If you remain in Me and My

words remain in you, ask

whatever you want and it will

be done for you. My Father is

glorified by this: that you pro-

duce much fruit and prove to

be My disciples.”

—John 15:7-8

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2. Timothy would have learned the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah,

Abraham, Moses and other Old Testament heroes and heroines

of faith. He also would have learned about Jesus in the oral

stories passed down by Paul and Barnabas in their first journey

throughDerbeandLystra.In2Timothy3:14-16,whatdoesPaul

sayabouthowGod’sWordworksinourlives?

3.ReadJohn3:16.HowdidGoddemonstratelovefortheworld?

4.HowdidEuniceandLoisdemonstratetheirloveforGod?

5. Eunice and Lois invested in the kingdom by giving their best,

their only son, to reach the nations. In their culture, a son gave

women security in their old age and would have functioned

essentiallyliketheirsocialsecurity!WhatdidJesusteachin

Matthew 6:33 that could have sustained Eunice and Lois as they

releasedTimothytogowithPaul?

6.HowmightJesus’lifehaveservedasanexampletothewomen?

7. Read Psalm 67 out loud as a prayer. How are you investing your

blessings?WhydoesGodblessusinthefirstplace?

May God be gracious to us

and bless us; look on us with

favor so that Your way may

be known on earth, Your sal-

vation among all nations.

Let the peoples praise You,

God; let all the peoples

praise You. Let the nations

rejoice and shout for joy …

—Psalm 67:1-4

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Day FourPrepare: “things done to make ready”

As you think and meditate on the story, you participate in the Spirit’s work of teaching and applying the Word.

1. Read the week’s Scripture passage again. Then spend some time

thinking about someone you know who is investing in the king-

dom.Whatcharacterizeshisorherlife?

2. Read this story of a modern “spiritual mother” who is investing in

the kingdom. As you read, ask yourself how others invested to

make this story possible.

Ahma’s story

It was an act of desperation. She had no choice, so she made the trip to the hospital in search of someone, anyone who might help her. She walked in shame, covered in a sin so grave in her culture that her husband was threatening to take another wife: She was unable to conceive a child. As she walked, she clung to her last hope — this little hospital.

In a mission clinic in South Asia, God intervened for this young Hindu woman who was married to a drunken Hindu priest. A Christian worker at the hospital received her with kindness and prayed for her in the name of Jesus Christ. The power of God touched her body with a son and her heart with His truth.

For many years afterward, Ahma (which means mommy), as she is called by her family and friends, followed Jesus; she feared persecution from her husband. In her private worship, she experienced the gift of prayer and quiet communion with her Lord. Bishwa, the son who was the answer to her desperate plea, grew up cloaked in the protection of his mother’s prayers. When Bishwa returned from college to tell his mother he had become a follower of Jesus Christ, Ahma responded that she knew he would because she had been praying for his salvation since his birth.

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Today in her elder years, she remains a woman dedicated to prayer and its power. She never forsakes the privilege given to her to go before the Father. In fact, it is not unusual for her to spend up to six hours a day in prayer.

“She is a premier prayer warrior,” says one IMB worker and close friend. Another friend adds, “If I need prayer, I make sure Bishwa’s mother knows my request. She is a praying woman.”

Still another friend recalls going to her home for fellowship. “Mommy wouldn’t let me leave until we had sat and prayed together.”

Bishwa and his wife are church planters determined to live out their faith with boldness and courage. They share with abandon because their work is covered in the prayers of a righteous woman. May the “spiritual mothers” of the world continue in their prayers — for therein is the power of God.

3.WhatkindsofinvestmentmadeitpossibleforAhmatocometo

faithinJesus?

4.Howaretheseinvestmentsstillbearingfruittoday?

5. How does Ahma’s investment in Bishwa remind you of Eunice and

Lois?

6.Read2Corinthians9:6-8.Whatprinciplesofsowingandreapingdo

youlearnfromthispassage?

Remember this: the person

who sows sparingly will

also reap sparingly, and the

person who sows generously

will also reap generously.

Each person should do as he

has decided in his heart—

not out of regret or out of

necessity, for God loves a

cheerful giver. And God is

able to make every grace

overflow to you, so that in

every way, always having ev-

erything you need, you may

excel in every good work.

—2 Corinthians 9:6-8

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7.Examineyourheartinlightofthestudytoday.Howareyou

sowing?Areyouacheerfulgiver?AsktheLordtoshowyouhow

to“excelineverygoodwork.”Writeyourreflectionsorprayerhere.

Day FivePrepare: “things done to make ready”

As you think and meditate on the story, you participate in the Spirit’s work of teaching and applying the Word.

1. Read this week’s Scripture story again today. As you have medi-

tated on the story this week, what is God teaching you about

investinginthekingdom?

2. Read the key verses for this week’s study from Matthew 6:19-21.

WhatdoesJesusteachhereabouttreasure?

3.Whataresomeofthedangersofcollectingtreasurehereonearth?

4. Go on and read Matthew 6:22-34. Three times in this passage

(verses25,31and34),Jesussays,“Don’tworry.”Whyandhowdo

thingshereonearthcreateanxiety?

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5.WhydoyouthinkJesusputsthiscommandnottoworryinthe

samecontextofteachingusaboutprayerandseekingtheking-

domfirst?

6. Think about two things — your prayer life and your checkbook.

How does each of these things indicate where your heart and

treasureare?

7. Think back on the women we have studied over the last five

weeks.Whatdotheyhaveincommonwhenitcomestoinvesting

inthekingdom?

Day SixCelebrate: “to commemorate an event, to publish abroad,to make famous”

Let the story live through you.

Today’s study can be done with a group or alone.

1. Review this week’s study. Share some of the things the Lord taught

youthisweek.Didthestudyraisequestionsyouwanttoask?

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2. Read Ephesians 2:10 out loud as a group.

3. The New International Version translates the first part of Ephe-

sians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship … “ How are we God’s

workmanship?HowwasTimothyequippedfortheworkGodpre-

paredforhimtodowithPaul?

4.Thinkaboutyourstudythisweek.WhatdidyoulearnfromEunice

andLoisaboutbeing“spiritualmothersandgrandmothers”?

How did their obedience to Jesus’ words to “seek first the king-

dom”impactthekingdom?

5. On your GlorifyDVD,you’llfindthreevideoswithstoriesof

women who have invested in the kingdom. They have lived lives

of significance, walking in the path God has prepared for them.

Some of their stories might surprise you. If you have time, watch

all three videos; if not, choose one or two.

VIDEOONE:“A Life of Significance”

• Whataresomeofthechallengesthepeopleinthevideofaceas

theyfollowJesusandtaketheGospeltounreachedpeoples?

• Inan1887letter,LottieMoonwrote,“Howmanythereare…

who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay noth-

ing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that

they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing

back a lost world to God.” How has this been true in your own life,

insubtleorobviousways?

For we are His creation—

created in Christ Jesus for

good works, which God pre-

pared ahead of time so that

we should walk in them.

—Ephesians 2:10

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• Thevideoasks,“HowwillyouandIdefinesignificance?”Keeping

in mind the Scripture you studied this week, how would you

definesignificance?Basedonthatdefinition,areyoulivingalife

ofsignificance?

VIDEOTWO:“With God Nothing is Impossible”

• NamesomeofthereasonsHalieandRemicouldhavegivennot

togotoAfrica.Doanyofthereasonssoundlikeexcusesyouuse

inyourownlifenottofollowGod’slead?

• HowdoyouthinkHalieandRemidefinesignificance?

• Whatchallengesdoyouthinktheirparentsfacedinreleasing

thesegirlstofollowChrist’scall?

VIDEOTHREE:“Ramona Reese”

• HowdidyouseeGodworkingbothinDebra’slifeandin

Ramona’slife?

• AfterRamonalostherbaby,shewasangrywithGodandques-

tionedwhyGodhadplacedherinBrazil.Untilheryoungfriend,

Debra,called,shedidnotseethesignificanceofhowGodwas

using her. In what situations in your own life do you not see how

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Godisusingyou?Whataresomewaysyoucanbefaithful

toGod,regardlessofwhetheryoucanseeHimworking?

• IfDebrahadnevercalled,Ramonamightneverhaveknownthesig-

nificant way God had used her. Has God used someone to encour-

ageyourownspiritualgrowth?Ifso,writehernamebelow,commit-

ting to letting her know the significant role she’s played in your life.

6. As American women we are blessed with more “riches” than most

of the women in the world can imagine. Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19.

As you have watched the videos this week, how have you seen

womentaking“holdoflifethatisreal”?

7.Iwantto“takeholdoflifethatisreal,”don’tyou?Accordingto

this passage, what are some steps to investing in “the age to

come”andthustakingholdoflifethatisreal?

8.Endyourtimetodayinprayer.Usethepointsbelowtohelpguide

your prayers:

• Prayforthemissionarieswhosestoriesyouwatchedtoday.

• AsktheLordtogiveyouapassiontoinvestinwhatlastsforeternity.

• AskGodwhatchangesyouneedtomakeinyourownlifetolivea

life of significance.

• PraisetheLordforfaithful“spiritualmothers”likeAhma,Lottie

Moon and Ramona Reese.

• AskGodtosendmoreyoungwomenlikeHalieandRemiintothe

harvest fields.

• Willyoubea“spiritualmother”forawomaninthenextgenera-

tion?AskGodtoputayoungerwomanonyourheart.

Instruct those who are rich

in the present age not to be

arrogant or to set their hope

on the uncertainty of wealth,

but on God, who richly

provides us with all things

to enjoy. [Instruct them] to

do good, to be rich in good

works, to be generous, will-

ing to share, storing up for

themselves a good founda-

tion for the age to come, so

that they may take hold of

life that is real.

—1 Timothy 6:17-19

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