Women Who Made a Difference
2 Timothy 1:5, 3:14-15
It’s been 97 years since women in our nation were granted the right to vote. (August 26, 1920) Soon after this, some religious groups began to predict that the American family would collapse if women began voting and becoming involved in politics. Some believed that the place for women was only the home, not work. It’s sad to realize that there are still people who hold to these beliefs. Even churches still struggle with the role of women in church. Throughout history God has been using people to accomplish his purposes, both men and women. Women have made a mark in history in spite of living in a time where their ideas and efforts would not be acknowledged. They created an impact in the world, even our lives today are impacted by what some women did.
-Clara Barton (1821-1912) if she had never left home to become a civil war nurse, then the American Red Cross had never happened. An organization that funnels millions of dollars of relief aid to disaster victims.
-Gertrude Elion won a Nobel Prize in 1988 for creating drugs that successfully fight childhood leukemia; she also created an immune system-sustaining drug that allows doctors to perform organ transplants.
-Catherine Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army.
In Biblical times women were treated inferior by the culture, but even in that culture God would raise up women to accomplish his will.
We know God called prophets who were the voice of God, the preachers of old. The Bible tells us of women who were prophetess. Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron. (Ex.15:20-21)
–Deborah was a prophetess and a judge in Israel. She is known as the protecting mother of Israel. She made a difference during this time in the history of Israel. (Judges 2:36-38)
–Huldah the prophetess during the time of King Josiah (2 Kings 22:14-20// 2 Chr.34:22-28
–Anna a prophetess in the time of Jesus. (Luke 2:36-38)
God had predicted to pour out his Spirit on both men and women and that they both would prophesy (Joel 2:28-29// Acts 2:16-18)
Esther saved the Jews from being annihilated. God saved his people through this queen. (Esther 4:15-17)
Ruth, a woman from Moab left everything behind for the love of her mother in law. She married Boaz and they had a son named Jesse, who had a son named David. She is mentioned in the family tree of Jesus (Matt.1:5-6)
In the New Testament, we read about two women who impacted the faith of a young man. Paul had a traveling companion, ministry partner, son in the faith named Timothy. Timothy’s faith was sincere (genuine). Timothy’s faith was due to the influence and impact of his mother and grandmother. Lois and Eunice
Timothy’s father was Greek and he is not mentioned anywhere as having an impact in his life. But his faith, his belief in Jesus was due to the influence of his grandmother and mother. This young man become a preacher.
2 Tim.3:14-15 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation.
You have learned the Scriptures from a very young age. His mother trained him into the teaching she herself had been trained. They didn’t depend on the father to provide the religious education for Timothy. They didn’t depend on Paul or any other preacher to instruct Timothy. When Paul knew Timothy, Timothy was already a disciple of a man of faith. (Acts 16:1-5) This was right after Paul and Barnabas split and Timothy became a traveling companion of Paul in Lystra.
Timothy’s mother gave him a biblical foundation. She and her mother impacted this young man. Who knew the Scripture from infancy despite being biracial in a prejudiced society.
A Biblical foundation is the best legacy you can leave for someone. A biblical worldview, but this is only developed through knowing the holy Scripture. Ladies, God called you to make a difference in this world whenever he has placed you. What kind of impact are you making on those around you? Don’t leave the spiritual teaching of your kids to anyone, you take the initiative to be Eunice and Lois. You make a difference in their lives by introducing them to Jesus.
I think the greatest joy a Christian parent could have is to know their kids’ faith in the Lord is genuine, a genuine faith is only developed through the study of Scripture.
And how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim.3:15