Ephesians 6:4

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

How well we can recall the previous verses of Ephesians chapter 6: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise--that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." (Eph. 6:1-3)

But we also need to remember the Lord calls us to train our children in His ways, but warns us not to provoke our children to anger by the way we treat them. We need to find a balance, which is what raising our kids in love is all about! The Bible mentions two women who did an excellent job in raising their child with love, Lois and Eunice. There is not a lot of information in Scripture regarding Lois and Eunice, but what we do know is an encouragement to all mothers who want to raise their children to love God. Lois and Eunice were a mother/daughter team that raised up a man of God, Timothy, who was the Apostle Paul's most trusted companion and disciple. It is only in Acts 1:6 and 2 Timothy 1:5 that we find record of these women, but what a strong commendation the Apostle Paul gives to them. In 2 Timothy 1:5, the Paul writes: " I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." These women were responsible for passing their faith on to the next generation.

The compelling feature of the Scriptural record of Eunice and Lois is their religious influence on Timothy. Since his father is not
mentioned in connection with Timothy's faith, it is apparent that these two godly women trained him up so that he both knew and loved God's word. The name Timothy means "one who fears God", a name obviously picked by his faithful mother. Grandmother and mother had no doubt been the teachers of his youth. His fitness to be the companion and co-worker of Paul's finds its explanation largely in the home training and pious example given him by these two noble women. It was from them also that the young Timothy derived his first impressions of Christian truth; for Paul calls to remembrance the earnest faith which first dwelt in them.

The record of Timothy demonstrates the value of positive Christian training in the home. They raised this child in love, not provoking him by the way they treated him, but guiding him gently and lovingly. Lois and Eunice took the responsibility to pass on their faith very seriously and as a result they raised up a young man to become a servant of Christ. For this, they have gone down in history as outstanding mothers and great women of faith.