10 Faithful Moms Throughout History Who Teach Us about God
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Countless mothers throughout history taught their children about God, and through their stories, we learn more about Him too.
While it’s not possible to highlight all such moms — and readers will likely wonder why some of these are included when others are not — the following are a few that God has used to stir our thoughts and touch our hearts.
1. Susannah Spurgeon
“A woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30b).
Susannah Spurgeon pointed her sons to God through her exemplary character. As the wife of the Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon, Susannah was a purposeful partner and confidant throughout their marriage. She refused to get bitter about her husband’s demanding ministry, but rather, chose to align her heart with his and pursue the Lord’s work alongside him.
Susannah’s character was cultivated through many medical issues as someone who dealt with intense, chronic pain. She was a gritty, resourceful woman who founded a charity, The Book Fund, to provide complimentary copies of Surgeon’s Lectures to impoverished pastors in England. Spurgeon fondly referred to her as “wifey,” and they shared a loving, joyful marriage.
Susannah was the mother of twin boys. Being largely bedridden had to be a challenge, but she rested in the truth that God rules, so she never became discontent. Her choice to exemplify inner strength, patience, peace, and gratitude showed her sons how God grants grace in trials. Both became pastors and credited Susannah with their early spiritual formation.
2. Susanna Wesley
“She opens her mouth with wisdom” (Proverbs 31:26a).
Susanna Wesley is known as the Mother of Methodism. She had two famous sons, John and Charles Wesley, who applied the teachings they heard from their mother.
Susanna and Samuel Wesley had either seventeen or nineteen children (accounts differ), but nine died as infants (four of which were twins), and another was accidentally smothered by a maid. Lack of finances was a constant struggle for the Wesleys, and their house burned down twice. After the second fire, the children had to be placed in different homes for nearly two years. Susanna was mortified that they became lazy and used improper speech.
A well-read woman, Susanna proved to be a wise and able homeschooling teacher. She wrote several theological pieces that were fundamental in educating her children. She is primarily known for consistently practicing daily devotions, even with so many children demanding her time. Susanna fiercely stood by her convictions, and her children witnessed her effectiveness in prayer and teaching at “kitchen prayer meetings” and as a lay minister leading worship and teaching. They saw God’s faithfulness firsthand and learned the value of persistence in godly living.
3. Sarah Edwards
“She watches over the affairs of her household” (Proverbs 31:27a).
Sarah Edwards, wife of American preacher Jonathan Edwards, believed that God expected consecrated lives, and she instilled in her eleven children the importance of godly living in a corrupt culture.
A Puritan in the British colonies of the New World, Sarah took faith and family seriously. She raised her children largely by herself while her husband focused on writing sermons and books. Jonathan described her as sweet, calm, benevolent, and joyful. Well-educated and socially adept, she contrasted with the shy-but-intense Jonathan. In Sarah, he found a haven from stressful ministry, and their home was a haven for others too. Sarah felt spiritually responsible for anyone who visited, including many apprentice pastors.
It was said that Sarah possessed an excellent manner of governing her children — disciplining them from a very early age and respecting their individual personalities. More than 1,400 of their children’s descendants were outstanding for their contributions to society, including sixty-five college presidents, sixty-five professors, thirty judges, sixty-six physicians, ten missionaries, numerous ministers, three senators, and one U.S. Vice President. Journalist and educator A.E. Winship attributed this astounding record to Sarah’s wise and godly mothering.
4. Mary “Polly” Newton
“She . . . extends her hands to the needy” (Proverbs 31:20b).
Mary “Polly” Newton, a pious woman, appreciated the grace of God in her husband’s life and determined to bless him. Despite his godly mother’s nurturing, John Newton’s history included rebellion, outbursts of rage, and blasphemy. In his rebellion, he became a slave ship captain; but after he pled for God’s mercy on the ship in a terrible storm, his life was transformed. Newton was then discipled by John Wesley and George Whitefield. He became an evangelist and abolitionist, wrote the first Anglican hymnbook, and authored the well-known hymn, “Amazing Grace.”
Unable to have children, John and Polly adopted their two orphaned nieces — both named Elizabeth but known as “Betsy” and “Eliza.” Eliza died in childhood from tuberculosis, and Betsy suffered with mental illness, but after a long intervention, she recovered. After Polly died, Betsy, who was much loved, looked after John in his old age.
Not much is written specifically about Polly except for her never-ending romance with John and her patience in dealing with him. But her godliness and compassion greatly benefited two needy little girls as they tasted of God’s amazing grace in their home.
5. Sarah Lincoln
“Faithful instruction is on her tongue” (Proverbs 31:26b).
Abraham Lincoln once said, “No man is poor who had a godly mother.” Lincoln had two mothers who taught Him the Word and ways of God. Nancy Hanks Lincoln died when Abraham was only nine. Although Abraham did not become a true believer until much later, Nancy shaped his young life with the Christian virtues and qualities that would one day serve him well as President of the United States.
Abraham’s father later married a widow named Sarah who had three children. Sarah worked hard to blend the two families. Kind to Abraham, she facilitated his voracious quest for knowledge and encouraged him to value honesty — perhaps the reason for his nickname, “Honest Abe.”
Although both mothers helped Abraham understand his accountability to a holy God — it was Sarah whom Abraham affectionately referred to as “Mother” for the rest of his life.
6. Emma Moody
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all” (Proverbs 31: 29).
Emma Moody helped her children understand that God would take care of the family, especially when their father needed to be absent in ministry. Emma married Dwight L. Moody and wholeheartedly joined him in ministry. As a thoughtful, reserved, poised, and charming woman — the counterbalance to Dwight’s impulsive, emotional nature — her home was marked by hospitality. She also helped Dwight found the Illinois Street Church—now known as Moody Church.
The Moodys had three children. Their lives were not untouched by tragedy. Although Emma was a strong woman, her hair suddenly streaked with white after the Chicago Fire in 1871 burned their city and church. They lost everything, but she trusted God, even when temporarily separated from her children.
One of the couple’s sons went through a prodigal season, but they continued to reach out to him with tender love. Emma loved all searching souls. Dwight once said that when he had a “hard case,” he turned that person over to his wife because she could convince the person to decide for Christ. This was the same caring, bright, and noble woman who continued to guide her own children to the Savior. Their younger son, Paul, said, “If our home seemed so ideal, the secret was my mother.”
7. Gertrude “Biddy” Chambers
“She can laugh at the days to come” (Proverbs 31:25b).
Gertrude “Biddy” Chambers challenged her fears about the future with dynamic faith. Biddy is the woman behind the devotional, My Utmost for His Highest. As a supportive wife to Oswald Chambers, Biddy used her stenography skills to fill notebooks with his teaching. After his death, she published 30 books in his name — including 2,500 pages rescued from fires after the bombing of London.
Biddy was also a good mother who modeled prayer to a faithful God. In her early years, their daughter Kathleen was cherished by people at the Bible training college her parents ran in London, and also in Egypt, where Oswald was a TMCA chaplain to soldiers. When Oswald died unexpectedly, Biddy struggled with grief. Young Kathleen struggled too, but her parents had taught her about heaven. Kathleen was able to encourage many family members, friends, and soldiers who experienced loss.
As a destitute widow, Biddy was fearful, until she chose to joyfully trust in the character of God. Kathleen observed this and years later she said, “All my life my mother … never for half a second questioned what God allowed to happen, ever. She might have been puzzled, but was unperturbed and never desperate.”
8. Vonette Bright
“Let her works bring her praise” (Proverbs 31:31b).
Bill and Vonette Bright’s children watched as their parents joined hands and hearts to lead a worldwide evangelism and discipleship movement. Their boys didn’t feel cheated, but rather, felt they were a vital part of Bill’s ministry when he traveled.
The couple faced a marriage conflict early in their marriage, but the crisis led to a decision that changed the direction of their lives. Bill admits he was selfish with his busy schedule, despite wanting their marriage to be a partnership. Vonette’s frustration grew and Bill went for emergency counseling. The Brights decided to sign a contract with each other that restored biblical priorities and placed the Lord securely as the anchor of their marriage. Shortly afterward, the Lord gave Bill the vision for their ministry, Campus Crusade for Christ (now called Cru). After praying, his vision for ministry became Vonette’s as well. She was naturally gifted and outgoing, and Bill felt the undergirding of their ministry through her hard work and prayers.
The Brights adopted two boys who are both in Christian ministry. Bill says of his wife, “Our partnership was especially evident in the influence she had on our two sons … she didn’t complain and made it clear to our two sons that they were a part of everything I was doing. It is obvious to me that Vonette helped to give Bradley and Zachary a positive attitude.”
9. Pat Palau
“Her children arise and call her blessed” (Proverbs 31:28).
Pat Palau taught her children, throughout her life, that God honors those who honor Him. She met her future husband, Luis Palau, at Multnomah School of the Bible. Like Luis, who headed up the Luis Palau Association, Pat framed her teaching in solid theology and prayer. After his death, Pat continued in ministry, becoming an integral part of The Palau Prayer Team, which is committed to praying for spiritual revival.
Much like Ruth Bell Graham — wife of the late Billy Graham — Pat had to hold down the fort when her husband traveled in ministry. She had an extensive ministry of her own but prioritized raising her children. She taught them the importance of passing on the Good News, and encouraged them to work with eternity in mind. As she told her daughter-in-law Wendy, “Remember, … this is not our home. This is not the end of our story.”
One of their four sons, Kevin, said in a video that he and his siblings never resented their parents’ ministry. Another son, Keith, described the love and warmth in their home. The Palau children learned from watching their mother’s life that God honors those who honor Him, and He provides for those who serve Him.
10. Karen Loritts
“She is clothed with strength and dignity” (Proverbs 31:25a).
Karen Loritts is a dignified and respected woman of God whose children developed strength and character as she taught them, keeping the character of God in view.
Karen has served alongside her husband Crawford in ministry since their marriage in 1971 — as he was a church planter, served for 27 years in Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru), and for fifteen years as pastor of a church in Georgia. Crawford is currently the President and founder of Beyond Our Generation, a Christian leadership outreach. The couple cultivated strong marriage and parenting skills and were featured speakers at FamilyLife conferences. Karen, as a speaker, teacher, and author, was the keynote speaker for Revive Our Hearts’ True Woman conferences.
They are parents to four grown children. While both parents focused on creating a family legacy that would bless others for generations to come, Crawford said of Karen, “. . . tears will fill my eyes when I see the mother she has become, and to see how she’s imprinting our children.”
In a message to encourage moms who are raising the next generation, Karen shared “Ten Ways to Be a Better Mother.” Before those ten ways, she explained that she wanted to live before her children as a mirror reflecting God, as a model for them to emulate, and as a motivator to help them press forward. She also wanted to give them a mission in life. What mother would not want that for her children!
Mothers hold their children’s hearts for a relatively short time. It’s never too soon to teach them, in age-appropriate ways, about the God who can guide them throughout life.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/jacoblund
