A Christian Mother's Influence

Introduction

There are many ladies who are now in the midst of raising children who feel that their influence is limited and that there is little that they can do in service to the Lord.

This could not be further from the truth! A mother who will make a spiritual investment into the lives of her children has the opportunity to make a profound impact upon the world.

This is clearly seen in the life of Timothy who would faithfully serve God and who would play a key role in the missionary work of the Apostle Paul.

Paul attributes Timothy’s unfeigned (sincere/genuine) faith to the influence of a godly mother and grandmother. These women had obviously had a great deal of influence upon Timothy’s life.

It is common in society today to believe that a woman confined to being a mother to her children alone cannot possibly find fulfilment and will never achieve great success and influence and yet the opposite is actually true. There are many women who have attained great personal success that would ultimately fade away and be forgotten while many who have invested in their children have left a lasting legacy that still continues to this day.

There are many mother’s throughout history who have left a mark upon the world and yet have little notoriety or fame because their part was merely filling the responsibility given to them by God to love and care for their children.

Take for example Susanna Wesley who is little known, but who is the mother of John and Charles Wesley, great men whose names are known the world over.

“My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual, and physical education I received from her.” -George Washington

“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother" -Abraham Lincoln

It is clear that the influence of a mother upon her children can have far reaching consequences and significant impact.

Notice the high complement that the Apostle Paul payed to Timothy:

Philippians 2:19–22 KJV 1900

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

Yet for the Christian mother to bring up children who are successful in the eyes of the world is not to be considered a great success, rather her desire is to influence her children in such a way that they are successful in the eyes of God.

How then can this be done? Let us now turn to the example before us of Timothy’s mother Eunice and even of his grandmother Lois.

It was Timothy’s mother who ensured that he was...

Education (II Timothy 3:15)

Paul had apparently been acquainted with Timothy’s family for some time and knew that Timothy had been taught the scriptures from a very early age.

I am not suggesting that you must homeschool your children but mother’s you should certainly make sure that your children are being taught the Word of God at home.

They will learn the Word of God in Sunday School, Children’s church, and in FBI, but this is only a supplement and not a substitute for teaching them the Bible at home.

The fact that Timothy had been engaged with the Word of God from an early age certainly must have played a significant role in his salvation as Paul records here.

It should be the desire of every Christian mother and father that their children would come to know Christ at an early age. This is much more likely if they have heard the Word of God in their earliest years.

It is also this knowledge of the scriptures which will help to serve as a preventative to much of the sin and temptation that they will face later in life.

How many men and women have refrained from temptation because of a scripture that was read or taught to them as a child?

Teaching the scriptures is an important part of utilizing the influence that God has given you in the lives of your children. You can be certain that Satan will seize every opportunity to teach your children the things of the world and your best weapon against his attacks is to make sure they have a deep knowledge of the Word of God.

Romans 16:19 KJV 1900

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Teaching your children is of utmost importance but if you are going to make the most of your influence you must also...

Example (II Timothy 1:5)

If you teach your children the Word of God and do not live according to its principles before them the impact of your teaching is extremely limited.

The opposite is true of those who not only teach the Word of God but also choose to live according to its precepts, the impact of the teaching is multiplied by the positive example.

It is apparent that Paul was familiar with the lives of Timothy’s mother and even that of his grandmother and Paul was convinced that they possessed an unfeigned (sincere/genuine) faith in Christ.

Undoubtedly he was convinced of this because of the evidence he had personally witnessed in their lives of their desire to live for Christ.

Mothers you spend countless hours in the presence of your children and you must understand that even when you are not engaging with them directly they are observing your example.

The way that Timothy’s mother and grandmother had lived before him had apparently had a profound impact upon Timothy’s life. The same faith that Paul had seen in Timothy’s mother and grandmother, he also now saw in Timothy.

Timothy lived a genuine Christian life without hypocrisy because that is exactly what he had seen his mother do.

Far too many children today see their mother (and often their father as well) live one way throughout the week and then an entirely different way on Sunday. Don’t think that this will not leave a lasting impact upon them.

Many mothers and fathers cannot understand why their children turn away from Christ and from church when they gain their independence, but in most cases this can be traced to parents who did not live out their faith.

Mother’s because of the sheer volume of time that you spend with your children, naturally you have the greatest impact upon the lives of your children by your example.

Be mindful even in the moments of frustration and anger that you are setting an example. Even when things don’t go as planned, do your best to present a good testimony for Christ before your children.

This does not mean that you won’t make mistakes (we all do) and yet even these can serve as a moment to confess our faults and to seek forgiveness as Christ would have us do.

Mother’s you must not underestimate the impact that your living example has upon your children.

Finally if you are to make the most of the influence God has given you, you must...

Encouragement

It appears that Paul had some familiarity with Timothy’s grandmother and mother and it is likely that they knew of Paul’s ministry and were certainly aware of the dangers he faced from day to day as he carried the gospel into unknown territory.

Yet it does not seem that when Paul called Timothy to serve alongside him that Paul faced any objections from Timothy’s mother or grandmother.

It would be reasonable based upon the testimony that we have concerning their lives that they would have been thrilled to have their son/grandson serving in ministry.

Far too many mothers attempt to direct their children towards lucrative professions where they will find safety and security when what they should be doing is encouraging them to seek the Will of God!

Most would agree that we need more preachers, evangelists, teachers, missionaries and yet many mothers would never encourage their children to consider any of these fields.

Many mothers have undoubtedly discouraged their children from pursuing God’s call upon their lives because they preferred that they children remain close to them and that they are financially and physically secure.

We stand in desperate need of a generation of mothers who would instead pray that God would call their children into the ministry and who would encourage them to follow the will of God even if it means danger and difficulty.

Mothers, what would be your response if your child came to you and told you that they believe that God may be calling them to serve Him in some dangerous far away land where there are millions who need to hear the gospel?

Would you be excited and encouraging or would you be fearful and discouraging? Could it be that we do not see young people being called as we once did because of mothers (and fathers) who have discouraged them from considering the possibility that God has called them to serve Him?

Might we see more young people surrendering to serve the Lord if we had parents who would encourage their children to consider going into the ministry?

Timothy’s mother and grandmother must have been concerned for Timothy’s safety as any mother would have been but they surely trusted that the Lord care for him.

Mothers, will you encourage your children to seek the Lord’s will concerning their future rather than simply pointing them towards the career with the highest earnings and the most job security?

Conclusion

Mothers you have a wonderful opportunity to make a tremendous impact upon the world, not as a CEO or a Social Media Influencer, but by doing what God has called you to do in raising godly children who will follow the Lord for a lifetime.

Will you determine to teach your children the Word of God, to Present a Positive Example which they can follow, and to Encourage your children to pursue God’s will for their life whatever that may be?

Never underestimate the influence you have and the impact that it can make for generations to come!