"impress upon a human soul the image of the divine. Especially during their early years the responsibility rests upon her of forming the character of her children. The impressions now made upon their developing minds will remain with them all through life. Parents should direct the instruction and training of their children while very young, to the end that they may be Christians. They are placed in our care to be trained, not as heirs to the throne of an earthly empire, but as kings unto God, to reign through unending ages. PP 244.2"
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
The EGW passage emphasizes the importance of early childhood training, mirroring the principle found in Proverbs 22:6 about training a child in the right way.
"Let every mother feel that her moments are priceless; her work will be tested in the solemn day of accounts. Then it will be found that many of the failures and crimes of men and women have resulted from the ignorance and neglect of those whose duty it was to guide their childish feet in the right way. Then it will be found that many who have blessed the world with the light of genius and truth and holiness, owe the principles that were the mainspring of their influence and success to a praying, Christian mother. PP 244.3"
"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."
Both passages address accountability. The EGW passage speaks of mothers being accountable for their influence, while Matthew 12:36 speaks of accountability for every idle word. The connection is thematic, focusing on the idea of being held responsible for one's actions and influence.