Scripture Texts: Titus 2:4-5; 2 Timothy 1:5; Proverbs 29:15;
Proverbs 31:26-28; Proverbs 14:1

The name of "mother" should present a picture of a modest, unselfish, pure, holy woman who loves and prays for her family. She is their best friend, without fail. She wants her children to be good and always be able to depend upon Mother.

Motherhood fashions the character of the oncoming genera-tion more strongly than any other factor. In the hands of a mother, more than any other, lie the molding of lives. How she will mold them depends upon the kind of person she is. A godly mother requires the children to obey, stays at home to care for her children's needs, teaches them God's Word and trains them in following it.

MEMORY VERSE: Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies
(Proverbs 31:10).

A Good Mother

Titus 2:4-5 ... teach the young women to be sober—The mother must be sober in order to teach the children by example. She should have a serious, thoughtful attitude toward life, realizing her responsibilities and desiring to fulfill them rightly. To love their husbands ... children—God has planted this love in a mother's heart. Sin has so marred human nature that this love can be stunted and killed. See 2 Timothy 3:3—without natural affection. A mother should be discreet, chaste, loyal to her husband, pure in thought, word, and act, modest in dress, and choosing the right way to act, with self-control to prevent rash inconsiderate acts or words. She should not gossip and be careful in her words to and before her children. In these days of much immodesty, she must dress differently from most. God does not consider shorts and halters "chaste." Keepers at home—there to guide, to comfort, to love, to teach, to see and know what the child does, and to care for his needs. Good—there is none good but God (Matthew 19:17). Therefore, to be good in God's sight, a mother must be saved.

Too much talk can sometimes be the defeat of control over children. Telling everything never works for good. Never talk of the father's faults, of the child's faults, of what he has said or done—good, bad, cute, or whatever. Laughing at a child's naughtiness as something cute suggests that it is a smart thing to do.

A Godly Heritage

2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee—Paul remembered that Timothy had received a godly heritage; it had been passed on to him by others. Which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice. At the same time, Paul recalled the faith of Timothy's mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois. These two godly women had sound beliefs, and each had taught these truths to her children. Here we see the important influence of women in the formation of a nation's character. Womanhood fashions the moral character of the oncoming generation greater than any other factor. When God is about to make a great man, He first fashions a great woman to be his mother. As a wife can either support or break down the husband, so can the mother shape the character of the lives of her family for good or evil.

Timothy came from a Christian home. His mother and grandmother were godly women who had taught and trained him right. Timothy was the third generation of Christians. He had been handed the needed equipment, but this was not enough. If Christian principles were to continue in the family, it was up to young Timothy to take his stand for Christ. The final decision was left up to him to pass it on. It is no wonder that Paul urged Timothy to stir up the gift which was in him as one would stir up a fire (verse 6).

The Rod and Reproof

Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom—that is, when they are used wisely. The rod is physical punishment. Reproof is words. A wise mother knows when to use each, is constant in backing up her reproof with the rod if disobeyed, and she is consistent in her basis for punishment, so the child knows what to expect. She give punishment for willful disobedience, and leniency and gentle explanation for unintentional errors. A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. If he is left to choose his own way with no direction and rules, if he is allowed to do as he pleases, if no constraint is used, if no punishment follows wrongdoing, if he has no work to engage his mind and hands, if he is unrestricted in reading and pleasures, if his Christian training is neglected—then shame will come to his mother later on. The rod and reproof must be used with kindness or they will fail. Love is at the heart of every good and happy home. The true mother's interest is in her home. She cares for it well. She is industrious. Both husband and children love and respect her. Read Proverbs 31:26-28.

Proverbs 14:1 A wise woman buildeth her house—she puts it together, making it good and strong and safe. The house may be plain and humble. This matters little, but it should be of the finest and best heritage. It is a foolish woman, indeed, who plucks down or destroys her home by her wrong acts or failure to act rightly.
A woman went to her pastor saying she was called to preach. He questioned her. Did she have a family? Yes, six children. "Praise God!" said he, "He has not only called you to preach, He has given you a congregation."

JUST A THOUGHT

How many Timothys have been lost to God, themselves,
and the world, because their mothers did not
teach them the way of the Lord?

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