Sunday, May 14th
Being a mom is one of the hardest and most important jobs there is. It can be rewarding, frustrating, humbling, and so much more. Mothering inevitably shapes identity, and moms shape our futures. Whether you are celebrating your mother, whether you’re a mom yourself, or whether you fill a mom role in the lives of those close to you, it’s important to acknowledge all God has given us through mothers and honor them for all they are. What does God tell us about identity in motherhood, and how can we honor moms as God intended?
Work through the following Scriptures and questions on your own, and get together with your running partner, Life Group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What’s a funny or interesting story from your childhood you can recall your mother/mother figure telling you? If you are a mom, is there a story about your children that sticks out to you that you tell them or will tell them when they’re older?
- What are some aspects of our lives in which you believe mothers influence their children most?
- Read Romans 5:8. God showed us unconditional love by sending His son to die for us, and we often see a picture of unconditional love through a mother’s love. What are some times in your life you have experienced clear unconditional love from others? What are some ways you show unconditional love to others?
- It is evident through many women in the Bible and throughout history that God does not limit purpose by gender—the strength and boldness of women has accomplished a great deal for God’s kingdom. When you think of brave women who are free to be bold because of the love of Jesus, who do you think of?
- Read 2 Corinthians 3:5. Oftentimes mothers can feel overwhelmed or like they are not enough, but God tells us that in Him, we are all enough, and we can rest in that freedom. Why do you think we often fall into living for the expectations of others instead of the expectations of God? What are some ways we can combat this tendency?
- Read Exodus 20:12. What are some ways you can honor your mother/mother figure or bless moms around you this week and all throughout the year? How does honoring and blessing others in this way strengthen your walk with God?
KEY SCRIPTURE
Romans 5:8 — But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
2 Corinthians 3:5 — Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.
Exodus 20:12 — “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
DIGGING DEEPER
Looking for practical ways to honor your mother or other moms you know? Remembering that different people have different love languages, try one or more of these suggestions:
- Remember to say “I love you.” — Sometimes we forget just how much it can mean to the people in our lives when we explicitly tell them how we feel. Every family is different, but it’s important to let your love be known. Remember, we should all aim to love others as God loves us—unconditionally.
- Spend quality time on their agenda, not on yours. — For many people, more than any materialistic gift you can give, they long to spend quality time with the people they love, and one way you can honor moms is by making the time you spend with them be on their agenda, not based on your preferences. You never know what a few hours spent together could mean to a special loved one in your life. We should never be too busy to show the kind of love we’ve so graciously been given.
- Write a handwritten letter. — Sometimes it’s difficult to express all we want and need to verbally. In these cases, it’s often helpful to write our sentiments down. Moreover, the words you write will likely be cherished by your mom/mom figure/other moms in your life for years to come, and encouragement like that is simply priceless. Never underestimate the value of honest encouragement. It honors God as well as the person you’re exhorting.
Spiritual Outcome — Sacrifice