Influencer: Women Building the Kingdom of God – Part 2
A Mother’s Influence
Primary Scripture: Proverbs 31:1–5, 8–9 (NKJV)
2026 Church Vision: “All Things New”
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
— II Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
2026 Declaration
“I’m becoming who God wants me to be.”
Our 2026 Challenge
Believe
Trust God, trust the process, hear God clearly, and respond in worship.
Belong
Honor God, honor yourself, and honor others by creating an environment where healing can take place.
Become
Represent God everywhere. Be the light in every room and live as an ambassador for Christ.
Series Introduction
Throughout this series we are studying the life of Bathsheba, one of the most influential women in the Bible.
Although many remember Bathsheba because of David’s failure, God also used her faith, wisdom, and influence to help establish Solomon as king and preserve His covenant purposes.
Last week’s message, “The Weight of Influence,” taught us that every believer possesses influence that can either strengthen or weaken God’s Kingdom.
Today we discover another important lesson:
A godly influence doesn’t happen accidentally—it is cultivated intentionally.
Sermon Introduction
Proverbs 31 opens with the words of King Lemuel, whom many Jewish scholars identify as King Solomon. If this understanding is correct, then Proverbs 31 contains the wisdom Bathsheba poured into her son’s life over many years.
Bathsheba understood she was not merely raising a child.
She was raising a future king.
Although Solomon was not first in line for the throne, Bathsheba refused to waste the opportunity God had given her. She intentionally prepared her son for the possibility that God might one day place him in leadership.
Her example reminds every parent, grandparent, mentor, teacher, and church member that we all have opportunities to invest in the next generation.
Key Scriptures
“The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:
What, my son?
And what, son of my womb?
And what, son of my vows?
Do not give your strength to women,
Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
Lest they drink and forget the law,
And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.”Proverbs 31:1–5 (NKJV)
“Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.”Proverbs 31:8–9 (NKJV)
Sermon Point 1
Choose Your Influence
Key Scripture
“Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.”Proverbs 31:8–9 (NKJV)
Bathsheba realized that influence is never neutral.
If Solomon became king, his decisions would affect an entire nation. Therefore, she intentionally taught him the character qualities necessary to lead God’s people with wisdom, justice, and compassion.
She refused to leave his development to chance.
Instead, she deliberately prepared him for greatness.
A Mother’s Influence Is Intentional
Godly influence requires intentional investment.
Children are not shaped only by what parents say.
They are shaped by:
- Daily conversations
- Personal example
- Family values
- Spiritual priorities
- Loving correction
- Consistent encouragement
The sermon reminds us that influence is built one conversation at a time.
Bathsheba Taught Solomon to Value
- Wisdom
- Justice
- Compassion
- Integrity
- Responsibility
- Self-discipline
These qualities would prepare him not merely to rule but to honor God while ruling.
Every Parent Has an Opportunity
Whether raising children, mentoring young adults, serving in children’s ministry, or encouraging the next generation at church, believers are called to intentionally invest in others.
A mother’s influence can shape:
- Faith
- Character
- Work ethic
- Discipline
- Relationships
- Wisdom
- Courage
- Compassion
Don’t Raise Children Alone
God often strengthens families through community.
Invite others to reinforce godly values:
- Grandparents
- Aunts and uncles
- Cousins
- Godly friends
- Church family
- Sunday School teachers
- Youth leaders
Healthy influence grows stronger when the family of God works together.
Reflection Questions
- What values am I intentionally teaching those who are watching my life?
- Am I preparing the next generation for success in God’s Kingdom or merely helping them succeed in the world?
- What spiritual habits do I hope my children or those I mentor will one day imitate?
Weekly Challenge
Choose one intentional way this week to invest in someone younger than you.
Pray with them.
Encourage them.
Teach them a biblical principle.
Model Christ through your actions.
Sermon Point 2
Trust Your Influence
Key Scripture
“Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.”Proverbs 31:8–9 (NKJV)
One of the greatest challenges for parents is recognizing that children eventually make their own decisions.
As they mature, they gain freedom to choose.
Even so, the seeds planted through years of faithful influence continue growing long after childhood ends.
Teaching in school prepares children for a career.
Teaching in the home prepares them for life.
The wisdom shared around the dinner table, during family devotions, through correction, encouragement, and everyday conversations often resurfaces years later.
Many adults eventually discover:
“Mama was right.”
Solomon Demonstrates the Power of His Mother’s Influence
When Solomon became king, God appeared to him with an extraordinary invitation.
Scripture
**”On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, ‘Ask! What shall I give you?’
And Solomon said to God:
‘You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place.
Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.
Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?’ “**
II Chronicles 1:7–10 (NKJV)
When God offered Solomon anything he desired, Bathsheba’s influence surfaced.
Rather than asking for riches, revenge, or power, Solomon asked for wisdom.
His request reflected the values his mother had planted within him.
Bathsheba’s years of faithful teaching bore fruit at the perfect moment.
Godly Influence Often Shows Up Later
Sometimes parents wonder whether their words matter.
Sometimes mentors question whether anyone is listening.
This passage reminds us that faithful influence often reveals itself years later.
Seeds planted today may become tomorrow’s harvest.
Continue teaching.
Continue praying.
Continue believing.
God is working even when you cannot yet see the results.
Reflection Questions
- Who invested godly wisdom in my life?
- What lessons from my parents, grandparents, or spiritual mentors continue to guide me today?
- Am I trusting God with the seeds I am planting in others?
Weekly Challenge
Speak one word of encouragement or biblical wisdom into someone’s life this week.
Trust God to use your influence in His perfect timing.
Living the Message
Bathsheba teaches us two important truths:
1. Choose Your Influence
Be intentional.
Don’t simply react to life.
Purposefully shape the next generation for Christ.
2. Trust Your Influence
Plant faithfully.
Pray consistently.
Believe God for the harvest.
Influence often grows quietly before it becomes visible.
Conclusion
After Solomon asked for wisdom, God responded with abundant blessing.
Scripture
**”Then God said to Solomon:
‘Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—
wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.’ “**
II Chronicles 1:11–12 (NKJV)
God blessed Solomon because wisdom had become the desire of his heart.
Where did that desire begin?
It began with the faithful influence of his mother.
Bathsheba’s words shaped Solomon’s heart.
Solomon’s heart shaped his prayer.
His prayer positioned him for God’s blessing.
Godly influence leaves a legacy that reaches far beyond one generation.
Personal Reflection
Spend time this week praying through these questions:
- What kind of influence am I intentionally leaving behind?
- How am I preparing the next generation to love God and serve others?
- What spiritual wisdom do I need to pass along before it’s too late?
- Am I trusting God to work through the seeds I have planted?
Memory Verse
“Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.”Proverbs 31:8–9 (NKJV)
This Week’s Kingdom Challenge
As part of Lily Baptist Church’s 2026 vision, “All Things New,” intentionally invest in someone else’s future.
- Believe: Trust God to use your words to shape lives.
- Belong: Strengthen someone in your church family through encouragement and wisdom.
- Become: Live in such a way that others are inspired to become who God created them to be.
Remember: The greatest influence is not measured by what we accomplish ourselves, but by what we inspire others to become through the grace of God.