We are introduced to another young man in the ministry at the beginning of Acts 16. The team of Paul and Silas came to the Asia Minor towns of Derbe and Lystra.
And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek (v. 1).
The contrast suggests that Timothy’s father was likely an unbeliever. Verse 2 says that Timothy was well spoken of by the brethren who were there in Lystra as well as in neighboring Iconium. That phrase well-spoken of means the other believers bore witness of, they testified, they affirmed Timothy’s discipleship. The result was that Paul chose Timothy to accompany him and Silas for the remainder of their journey. Thus began an enduring relationship in which Paul assumed the role of mentor in young Timothy’s life. But it is important to note that it all began with the ministry of his mother and grandmother. Many years later, in his second letter to Timothy, Paul wrote:
For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well (2 Tim. 1:5).
They were the ones who nurtured his faith from the beginning, and raised him to be a disciple equipped to accompany the great apostle in service to the Lord. Paul reminded Timothy of his spiritual heritage – it was his grandmother and mother who imparted and lived a genuine faith before him. And Timothy remained faithful for a long time. So much so that Paul wrote of him (Phil. 2:20-22):
For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
But you know of his (Timothy’s) proven worth that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.
What an opportunity we have as parents to disciple the next generation of servants for the cause of Christ! Will we seize the moment?