The Power of a Mother's Influence - by The Very Rev. Dr. Herbert Hand

Often parents take their kids to church so the Sunday School teacher or the Awana leader or the Youth Minister will positively influence them in their walk with Christ. Not a bad idea! Yet, the parents have way more influence in their children’s spiritual development (or lack thereof) than anyone, including church leaders. Church leaders can only have a multiplying Christian influence if the children are influenced for Christ at home. Often the mother has an especially powerful influence upon her children.

The same was true in biblical times. When speaking of the kings of Israel and Judah in the Books of Kings and Chronicles, twenty-eight times we see the phrase, “His mother’s name was…” Forty-four percent of the time, the mothers are mentioned. Why were these mothers mentioned? In an era where women had few rights, it is surprising that they are mentioned at all. Why were they mentioned? I believe it’s because these king’s mothers had the power of persuasion over their sons. Never underestimate a mother’s power for good or evil over their children!!! Here are a few examples:

King Rehoboam “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” “His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite.” – 1 Kings 14

King Abijam “walked in all the sins that his father did before him.” “His mother's name was Maacah.” – 1 Kings 15

King Jehoshaphat “walked in all the way of Asa his father … doing what was right in the sight of the Lord.” “His mother's name was Azubah.” – 1 Kings 22

King Azariah “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father

What type of influence are you currently upon your children or grandchildren or the children of this church? Are you a Naamah or an Azubah? Like it or not you are an influence on the next generation. “Little eyes are watching!” The question is are you a proactive godly influence? Are you salt and light? Salt that has not lost its flavor. Light that has not been put under a basket (Matthew 5:13-16).

How do you become a godly influence on the next generation? God’s Word shows us. Immediately after God gave His people the Ten Commandments He said, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise”(Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

1. God’s Commandments must be upon your heart. They must become part of your life and actions.

2. Teach them diligently to your children.