The Power of a Mother's Example!
Pastor Bill Nichols -- May 9, 2010Introduction
I was listening to the (radio station) Wind FM on my way to the office on Friday morning when I heard this woman talking about her mother's example. She said that her mother wore the same coat for 20 years. As children and teenagers, they thought that she had a real attachment to that coat. They later found out that she never bought herself a new coat so she could afford to buy her children new coats each year. Then she said that her mother's example had a big impact on the shaping of her own life and the way she raised her own children.
You mother's play such a vital role in imparting faith to your children. You should never underestimate the amount of influence that you have in shaping your children's attitude toward God, toward His church, and toward leading them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
In the New Testament book of Second Timothy, the Apostle Paul writes to his child in the faith, Timothy. Immediately following his greeting in chapter one, Paul mentions two people that were of great influence in the formulation of Timothy's faith. Those two people were his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice.
2 Timothy 1:3-7 (NIV)
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 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. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Timothy's mother and grandmother were Jews who had converted to Christianity. Timothy's father was a Gentile and, because his faith and example is not mentioned, it is assumed that he was not a believer.
If you will turn with me to chapter 3 and verse 15 you will see that Timothy was not left to figure his faith out on his own. His mother and grandmother began teaching him the Scriptures from the time he was born.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV)
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Another interesting comment in this passage has to do with the trust level of those who share their faith with others. Paul tells Timothy to "continue in what you have learned
(meaning his faith) because you know those from whom you learned it"
Your children trust you. That is why it is so important that you example your faith each and every day. They are watching you. They are modeling their thinking, their attitudes, their values, and so much more on the things they see in your life, because they trust that what you are modeling is good, is right, and it is the way they should be.
Who better to teach your children about Jesus? Who do you want to trust your children's eternal destiny to?
Conclusion
Mom's, today is your special day. You deserve it. Those of you who have finished raising your children are to be commended. Those of you who are still in the process, we pray that God will give you wisdom, strength, love and fun.
Remember those who have influenced your life in Christ, whether a mom or a dad or a good friend. Seek to emulate those qualities that influenced you to become a follower of Jesus, and then use the things you saw in them, and the things you have learned since becoming a Christian, and teach them to your children as you guide them toward being a disciple of Jesus Christ.