All material copyright © CrossRoads Ministries

Mothers of Influence

It is a great privilege and responsibility to be a mother. No one has a more profound and enduring influence upon those around them than a mother raising her children in the fear and wisdom of the Lord.

Timothy, was one such young man who was greatly influenced by the God-given women in his life, and he became a great preacher of the gospel. It seems clear that Timothy had been converted to Christianity during the apostle Paul’s first missionary journey at Lystra. He had matured so well as a Christian that only two years after his conversion he was ready to become an apprentice to the great apostle Paul and soon became one of his most trusted helpers. (Philippians 2:20) Eventually, as Paul’s personal representative, young Timothy was asked to remain in Ephesus to oppose the false religious teachers.

Paul referred to Timothy as being “faithful in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 4:17) Timothy’s faith was no mere dry creed, no mere outward show of piety. He did not “do church” for appearance’s sake. His faith in the risen Christ could endure persecution and suffer loss; he could live or die for the sake of Christ with the sure hope of eternal life. Paul had the highest confidence in Timothy’s fine track record as a Christian worker. Paul writes, “But you know that Timothy has proved himself…” (Philippians 2:22)

Paul saw a firm foundation in Timothy’s life. “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.” (2 Timothy 1: 5) Timothy’s grandmother and mother were staunch believers who had taught him the Scriptures from his earliest years of childhood. (2 Timothy 3:15) Paul exhorts Timothy to “…continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.” (2 Timothy 3: 14)

How often Christian mothers have been used of God to raise sons for the ministry of God’s church!

The “Burning Bush” records the testimony of a mother who sacrificed things of this world and her own desires so that she could spend much time raising her children in a Christian home. She writes, “I had no time to indulge myself in many things. I was busy cultivating their hearts with affections. I could not adorn their bodies in fine clothes, though I kept them neat at all times. I have my reward now. My sons are ministers of the gospel. My grown-up daughter is a Christian woman. I have a thousand beautiful memories. I have the sweet consciousness of having done all I could to make them ready for whatever work God called them to do.”

Proverbs 22: 6 promises, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

Mothers who want a positive eternal influence on their children will teach them about genuine faith in Christ and make sure they get true teaching from God’s Word. This is a firm foundation to lay down for your children.

Mothers… first, make doubly sure you have a close and growing personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, do all in your power to pass that on to your children!