Years ago, in a Sunday School class, our teacher, an older woman, gave the class of young mothers this advice: “Don’t ever let anyone rob you of the opportunity to win your child to Christ.”
As we celebrate Mother’s Day on May 11, we honor all mothers. As a mother, we realize the time of childhood is so very short. There are so many things we need to teach our children while they are young and before they become adults and leave home for college or a career.
Do they know how to live independently? Can they stay on a budget? Can they manage their time wisely? However, winning your child to Christ is the most important thing you as a parent can do. Not only does being a Christian and a follower of Christ affect a child’s life in the present, but it assures you that the child will have an eternal home in heaven for the future.
Winning your child to Christ is a gift you give yourself and it is the most precious thing you can do for a child. God has provided the wisdom you need when talking to your child about accepting Christ.
Death comes to everyone. No one escapes this world alive. Knowing that your family will be together in heaven is one of the most important aspects of parenting.
Recently, when a wise mother was having a conversation with her 12-year-old son about heaven, he said, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all go at the same time.” This youth realized that death causes grief, sorrow, and separation. But when we have accepted Christ as our Savior, we will be together in a heavenly home.
Learning from Mothers of the Bible
Mothers today can gain wisdom and knowledge from those women in the Bible.
They faced some of the same problems and concerns mothers of the present face. We must remember that the role of a mother may change as a child grows older; but you are still a “mother” and your adult child still needs the prayers and support you gave when they were young.
Look at some of the mothers of the Bible and how their wisdom helped form the child into leaders and people that loved God. With God’s help, Christian parents are still the child’s best teacher.
The King of Egypt demanded the Hebrew midwives kill all the male babies born as the Israelites were growing in number and the king feared they would one day fight against the Egyptians. However, the midwives refused to obey this order.
Jochebed, a Hebrew woman, gave birth to a male child. He was a fine-looking baby and she couldn’t obey the king’s orders. Soon, she couldn’t hide him any longer. So, she made a papyrus basket, lined with pitch, and placed it in the reeds on the Nile River.
Placing the baby in the basket, his sister Miriam stood watch. Soon the Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to bathe. On seeing the baby, she realized this was a Hebrew child and she wanted him for her own son. Immediately, Miriam appeared and asked, “Do you want me to get a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby?” Pharaoh’s daughter said, “Yes, and I will pay her. His name shall be Moses.”
When the child grew older, Jochebed took him to Pharaoh’s daughter, who raised him as her son. Jochebed not only had her son near, but she had the opportunity to teach him about God. (Exodus 2: 1-10)
Zechariah, a priest during the time of Herod king of Judea, and his wife Elizabeth were upright in the sight of God. Both were well along in years and Elizabeth was barren.
At this time in history, it was a disgrace not to be able to have children. When the angel Gabriel spoke to Zechariah and told him that Elizabeth would become pregnant and give birth to a son, Zechariah did not believe it was possible as they were both older.
As punishment for his unbelief, Zechariah would not be able to speak until after the child was born. The child was to be given the name John, because he would be a forerunner of Jesus. Known as John the Baptist, his role was to prepare people for the Lord. (Luke 1: 5-25)
Sarah, the wife of Abraham, was barren and had prayed for a child for many years. The Lord heard her prayers and she had a son in her old age. The child was named Isaac. God tested Abraham’s faith by telling him to sacrifice his son.
Sarah had wisdom to trust that God would provide. And He did.
When Abraham was about to do as God commanded, a ram appeared in the brush. God realized that Abraham was ready to do as He commanded. Sarah had faith in her husband and in her Lord. (Genesis 17 – 18)
Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, prayed for a son and the Lord gave her Samuel. She dedicated him to the Lord and he lived in the temple as a boy. Samuel became a prophet and judge. (1 Samuel 1-2)
There are other women in the Bible who raised their children in the ways of the Lord.
Through their wisdom, they taught their children to love the Lord and to follow his commandments. B&R — Tomlin, of Jackson, writes for numerous Christian publications. Email: [email protected].