Honoring Mothers: Embracing Their Divine Role and Influence
Summary
Summary:
Today, we reflect on the profound significance of mothers in God's eyes and the honor they deserve. Proverbs 31:28 highlights the virtuous woman whose children rise to bless her, illustrating the deep respect and admiration that mothers should receive. This respect is not limited to biological mothers but extends to all women who nurture and guide others. The Bible consistently honors mothers, from Hannah's faith in God for a child to Sarah's belief in God's promise despite her barrenness. Ephesians 6 commands us to honor our mothers, emphasizing that this is the first commandment with a promise of well-being and longevity.
Honoring our mothers means valuing them as precious, akin to fine china rather than disposable plastic. Jesus exemplified this on the cross, ensuring his mother was cared for by entrusting her to John. We are called to care for our mothers, both physically and spiritually, through heartfelt prayer. Just as our mothers have prayed for us, we should intercede for them, believing in the power of prayer to bring healing and blessings.
For mothers, embracing the responsibility of raising children is crucial. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to train children in the right path, shaping their spirits and futures. Following God's directions, rather than societal norms, ensures we raise champions for Christ. God offers fresh starts, rolling away the shame of past mistakes, and invites us to believe in the promised land He has for us. Like Sarah, who believed for a child despite her age, we are encouraged to reignite our faith and pursue the dreams God has placed in our hearts. God desires to bring laughter and fulfillment into our lives, urging us to trust Him for the impossible.
Key Takeaways:
1. Mothers Deserve Honor and Respect: Proverbs 31:28 illustrates the honor due to mothers, emphasizing that this respect is not conditional on their actions but on their God-given role. We are called to value our mothers as precious, akin to fine china, and not treat them as disposable. [05:04]
2. The Power of Prayer for Mothers: Just as our mothers have prayed fervently for us, we are encouraged to intercede for them with heartfelt, continued prayer. Such prayers have the power to bring healing and supernatural results, reflecting the deep spiritual connection between a mother and child. [10:35]
3. Embrace the Responsibility of Motherhood: Proverbs 22:6 highlights the importance of training children in the right path. Mothers are called to embrace their responsibility as personal trainers for their children, shaping their spirits and futures through teaching and example. [18:57]
4. Follow God's Directions, Not Societal Norms: Joshua 9:14 warns against relying on our own wisdom. Mothers are encouraged to seek God's guidance through the Bible and prayer, ensuring they follow His proven victory plan for raising children. [24:15]
5. Believe in God's Promised Land for You: Like Sarah, who believed for a child despite her age, mothers are urged to reignite their faith and pursue the dreams God has placed in their hearts. God desires to bring laughter and fulfillment into their lives, urging them to trust Him for the impossible. [33:56]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:31] - The Virtuous Woman
- [02:50] - Honoring Mothers in the Bible
- [03:46] - Command to Honor Parents
- [05:04] - Treating Mothers with Value
- [06:36] - The China and Plastic Analogy
- [08:28] - Jesus' Care for His Mother
- [09:31] - Societal Norms and Family Care
- [10:35] - The Power of Prayer for Mothers
- [12:39] - Mothers' Hidden Struggles
- [14:00] - Honoring Mothers with Words
- [16:19] - Different Perspectives on Mother's Day
- [18:16] - Maximizing Momhood
- [18:57] - Embracing Motherhood Responsibility
- [24:15] - Following God's Directions
- [28:09] - Rolling Away Past Shame
- [28:55] - Believing for Your Promised Land
- [33:56] - Faith in Impossible Circumstances
- [36:36] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 31:28 - "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her."
2. Ephesians 6:2-3 - "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise—"so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
3. Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
Observation Questions:
1. According to Proverbs 31:28, what actions do the children and husband of the virtuous woman take to honor her? How does this reflect the respect mothers deserve? [01:31]
2. In Ephesians 6:2-3, what promise is associated with honoring one's parents? How does this emphasize the importance of this commandment? [03:46]
3. How does the analogy of fine china versus disposable plastic illustrate the way we should value our mothers? [06:36]
4. What role does prayer play in the relationship between a mother and her children, as discussed in the sermon? [10:35]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Bible's consistent honoring of mothers, as seen in the stories of Hannah and Sarah, shape our understanding of the role of mothers in God's plan? [02:50]
2. What does it mean to honor one's mother unconditionally, regardless of her actions, as highlighted in the sermon? How does this align with the biblical commandment? [05:04]
3. How can mothers embrace their responsibility as "personal trainers" for their children, according to Proverbs 22:6? What challenges might they face in this role? [18:57]
4. In what ways does the sermon encourage mothers to seek God's guidance over societal norms when raising their children? [24:15]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your relationship with your mother or a mother figure in your life. How can you show them honor and respect in a tangible way this week? [05:04]
2. Consider the power of prayer in your life. How can you make praying for your mother or a mother figure a regular part of your spiritual practice? [10:35]
3. If you are a mother, how can you embrace your role as a "personal trainer" for your children? What specific steps can you take to guide them in the right path? [18:57]
4. How can you ensure that you are following God's directions rather than societal norms in your parenting or in supporting mothers around you? [24:15]
5. Think about a dream or goal you have set aside. How can you reignite your faith and pursue the dreams God has placed in your heart, trusting Him for the impossible? [33:56]
6. How can you support a mother in your community who may be struggling with past shame or current challenges? What practical steps can you take to offer encouragement and support? [28:09]
7. Reflect on the analogy of fine china versus disposable plastic. How can you apply this concept to other relationships in your life, ensuring you value and honor those around you? [06:36]
Devotional
Day 1: The Sacred Role of Mothers
Mothers hold a unique and sacred role in the eyes of God, deserving honor and respect not because of their actions but due to their God-given position. Proverbs 31:28 illustrates this by highlighting the virtuous woman whose children rise to bless her. This respect extends beyond biological mothers to all women who nurture and guide others. Honoring our mothers means valuing them as precious, akin to fine china rather than disposable plastic. This perspective calls us to treat our mothers with the utmost care and reverence, recognizing their invaluable contribution to our lives. [05:04]
"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'" (Proverbs 31:28-29, ESV)
Reflection: How can you show honor and respect to a mother figure in your life today, treating her as precious and invaluable?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us deeply with God and with each other. Just as our mothers have fervently prayed for us, we are encouraged to intercede for them with heartfelt, continued prayer. Such prayers have the power to bring healing and supernatural results, reflecting the deep spiritual connection between a mother and child. By praying for our mothers, we not only support them spiritually but also strengthen our own faith, trusting in God's ability to work miracles in their lives. [10:35]
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: Who is a mother figure in your life that you can pray for today? How can you make prayer for her a regular part of your spiritual practice?
Day 3: Embracing the Call of Motherhood
Motherhood is a profound responsibility that involves shaping the spirits and futures of children. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us of the importance of training children in the right path. Mothers are called to embrace their role as personal trainers for their children, guiding them through teaching and example. This responsibility is not to be taken lightly, as it has eternal implications. By following God's directions rather than societal norms, mothers can raise champions for Christ, ensuring their children grow up with a strong spiritual foundation. [18:57]
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you support a mother in your community to embrace her role in shaping her children's spiritual journey?
Day 4: Seeking Divine Guidance Over Societal Norms
In a world filled with conflicting messages, it is crucial for mothers to seek God's guidance through the Bible and prayer. Joshua 9:14 warns against relying on our own wisdom, encouraging us to follow God's proven victory plan for raising children. By prioritizing divine direction over societal norms, mothers can ensure they are leading their families in a way that aligns with God's will. This approach not only benefits their children but also brings peace and fulfillment to their own lives. [24:15]
"So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord." (Joshua 9:14, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area where you can seek God's guidance instead of relying on societal norms in your family life?
Day 5: Trusting God for the Impossible
Like Sarah, who believed for a child despite her age, mothers are urged to reignite their faith and pursue the dreams God has placed in their hearts. God desires to bring laughter and fulfillment into their lives, urging them to trust Him for the impossible. By believing in God's promised land for them, mothers can experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from seeing His promises come to fruition. This faith journey not only impacts their own lives but also serves as a powerful testimony to their children and community. [33:56]
"By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised." (Hebrews 11:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is a dream or promise from God that you need to reignite your faith in today? How can you take a step of faith towards it?
Quotes
1) "Moms matter to God. I'm gonna say that again. Moms matter to God. Turn to him and tell them. Tell them. Moms matter to God. Yeah, they do. They matter to God. And so proverbs 31 28, we have the chapter describing the virtuous woman, the diamond. And so the Bible is describing this woman. It's praising this woman. And I want to read verse 28. It says, her children stand and bless her. So notice that this woman is a mother, and her children stand and bless her. The implication here is her children giving her a standing cheering ovation. A standing, cheering ovation." [01:31] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "And this is actually something we see in the Bible over and over again. God highlighting and honoring mothers. So, for example, we see the story of Hannah. She couldn't have any children, but she believed God. And God gave her a son named Samuel. And she kept her promise to God. She dedicated him to the Lord. We read about Sarah. In fact, the Bible says in Hebrews 1111 that it was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child. Though she was barren and was too old. She believed God, that he would keep his promise. God honors her because she had the faith to be a mother." [03:46] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "So notice this command. Now, if you were to back up, you'd find that he was talking to children here. But if you go back to Exodus chapter 20, you'll find that this did not just apply to children. This applied to adults. So as adults, we are to honor our mothers. And the word honor here means to prize, to value, to revere. So we can read that, that we ought to see our mothers as a prize, that we ought to value our mothers, that we ought to reverence our mothers. And I want you to notice that this is something that we're all supposed to do." [05:04] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "And here's something else we ought to do. We ought to pray for her. James 516 says this. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. What's he telling us here? Well, even as believers, we ought to spend time praying for each other and not just throwing up a quick prayer. But this is talking about a heartfelt, continued prayer. This person is my prayer project. I might spend some hours praying for this person. And the Bible tells us, when we pray like that for each other, we help each other be healed. Those type of prayers produce results. They produce supernatural results." [11:41] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "And if you'll jump in in prayer, you can help God bring to pass in her life everything he wants to bring to pass in her life. So, yeah, we ought to honor our mothers today. We ought to honor them with our hearts, value them, see them as a prize. We ought to honor them with our words. That's a part of it. That's part of what we're doing today, you know, telling our mothers we love them and, you know, giving them cards. And that also means there's a certain way we won't talk to them. We're not going to dishonor them by how we talk to them. I don't care how they talk to us." [14:00] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "And God's got you. God did it for Hannah, God did it for Sarah, and God will do it for you. And some people, your mama ain't exactly your favorite person, and yet you're supposed to honor her. It's one of the things that I. I've done a lot of things wrong just like anybody else. But I feel like my parents would stand here and agree with this, that I've always honored them, that I don't. I can't even remember speaking a cross word to either one of my parents. And we have not always agreed on things. There's not always been great moments, just like with any other family. And I think that's one reason why God's been able to bless me." [16:19] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "Embrace your responsibility. What's that? Responsibility. Proverbs 22 six. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The new living translation says, direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. You are your child's personal trainer. I've said this before, but when you receive a child, a child's born into this world, you're given a blank white sheet of paper. That's their spirit. Whatever's in their spirit is what's going to be in their life. Whatever's in their spirit will be because of what you wrote there or you allowed somebody else to write there. That's a huge responsibility." [18:57] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "God's got a promised land for you. Some of you've been hanging on, but God doesn't want you hanging on for the rest of your life. God doesn't want you just barely having enough, just barely surviving, just trying to just make it through till Jesus comes back. God wants you in your promised land, mothers. God wants you in your promised land. But for you to be in your promised land, you got to believe for it. Some of us gave up on that. Those dreams we had as young, younger people, those things we used to go after, those things we used to talk about, we gave up on it because things got tough. And it's time to pick up your dream again." [30:35] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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