A Mother’s Responsibilities

The World’s Ideas vs. What the Bible Says Women are under increasing pressure to think they can only succeed in life if they pursue a career, are financially independent, or have status. In 2003, 77.8% of mothers were in the labor force with children ages 6-17 (up from 55% in 1975), while 62.8% of those with preschool children under age 6 were employed. (up from 39% in 1975) (Bureau of Labor Statistics- 2004) The world praises the “career” woman while mothers who stay home are put down.

The World’s Ideas vs. What the Bible Says Therefore the world considers children to be an inconvenience and get in the way of a mother’s dreams, ambitions, and goals. Consequently mothers may neglect their God given responsibilities to teach them or may even abort them. But what does the Bible say about children? Children are not to be considered a burden but a blessing of the Lord.

The World’s Ideas vs. What the Bible Says “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.” (Psalms 127:3-4) Younger women need to learn their responsibilities from godly mothers rather than conforming to this world’s ideas. (Romans 12:2)

The World’s Ideas vs. What the Bible Says “The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” (Titus 2:3-5) In our study this morning, we will examine Bible examples of godly mothers that we should imitate and put into practice in our lives.

Mothers- Set Godly Examples for Them to Imitate Hannah prayed for a son when she was barren, devoted him to God, and kept her promise. She made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head." (1 Samuel 1:11)

Mothers- Set Godly Examples for Them to Imitate "So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.” (1 Samuel 1:28)

Mothers- Set Godly Examples for Them to Imitate “Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD, as a boy wearing a linen ephod. And his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year when she would come up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, "May the LORD give you children from this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD." And they went to their own home.” (1 Samuel 2:18-20)

Mothers- Set Godly Examples for Them to Imitate Samuel became a great prophet, priest, and judge of God’s people which began because of a woman’s devotion to humble herself before God rather than cursing him for her plight in life! Truly the hand that rocks the cradle can be a powerful influence for good in a godless world.

Mothers- Set Godly Examples for Them to Imitate Eunice and Lois taught Timothy from his youth the Old Testament Scriptures which gave him the wisdom leading to salvation. “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.” (2 Timothy 1:5) “From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15)

Mothers- Set Godly Examples for Them to Imitate The apostle Paul took the godly young man Timothy with him to preach. “Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.” (Acts 16:1-3)

Mothers- Set Godly Examples for Them to Imitate The apostle Paul commends Timothy to the brethren at Philippi, “But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.” (Philippians 2:19-23)

Mothers- Set Godly Examples for Them to Imitate The apostle Paul also commends him to the church at Corinth, “For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.” (1 Corinthians 4:17)

Mothers- Set Godly Examples for Them to Imitate How many souls have obeyed the gospel and/or stayed faithful to the Lord because of their mother and grandmother’s godliness? This can happen even without the influence of godly father or grandmother as is testified by the Scriptures. Mothers and grandmothers, please realize the powerful influence that you can have upon your children and grandchildren for their eternal good without preaching from the pulpit or being a career woman!

Mothers- Set Godly Examples for Them to Imitate But mothers may contend,“I have so many responsibilities” (wife, housekeeper, cook, nurse, counselor, taxi) So how can she do it all? She must be unselfish having the mind of Christ. (Philippians 2:3ff)

Mothers- Set Godly Examples for Them to Imitate “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ho, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:3-8)

Mothers- Set Godly Examples for Them to Imitate What kind of example do you set for your children or grandchildren? Do you talk to them about God? "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. (Deut. 6:6-7)

Mothers- Set Godly Examples for Them to Imitate Do your children see you fulfilling your daily responsibilities or neglecting them? “She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.” (Proverbs 31:27) Do your children see you helping others in their time of need? “She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.” (Proverbs 31:20)

Mothers- Set Godly Examples for Them to Imitate The example that you set before your children in their youth will likely be imitated in their life when they raise their children. If you have failed, all you can do is repent and confess your sins to them and to God and get forgiveness. (James 5:16; Acts 8:22) If your mother has failed in her God given responsibilities, don’t hold a grudge against her but set the right example. God will bless you with other godly mothers. (Mark 10:30)

Conclusion Mothers- set godly examples for your children. Time is passing swiftly into eternity and we will be judged by our deeds. (2 Cor. 5:10) Be a Hannah, Lois, or Eunice in this generation. Jesus said, “Who is My mother and My brothers! And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:48-50)