1. Mothers are a Gift from God

2. 2 Motherhood is God-given 1 Timothy 2:15 Unwanted and dishonorable role to many women (abortion, child neglect and abuse, etc.), Psa. 127:3 Motherhood is honorable and vital for the home and society to succeed and thrive

3. 3 Motherhood is not Inherited It must be learned, Titus 2:4-5It must be learned, Titus 2:4-5 -[“train,” “teach,” “admonish”] -“to moderate, control, curb, disciple; to hold one to his duty, to exhort earnestly” Learn loveLearn love Learn unselfish serviceLearn unselfish service Learn to meet responsibilitiesLearn to meet responsibilities

4. 4 Jochebed: Life and Safety Exodus 2:1-10 Mothers give life, 2:2 1.37 million abortions/yr. Mothers protect life, 2:2-3 (Heb. 11:23) Mothers sustain life, 2:8-9; Prov. 31: 27 (1 Tim. 5:14); 29:15 SPIRITUAL LIFE

5. 5 Hannah: Devotion to God 1 Samuel 1:9-11 Pray for the child “I will give him to the Lord all the day of his life” (1:11, 20) Didn’t forgot her vow, 1:24-28; 2:18-20 Set the example of devotion in faithful worship, godly living, humble service, Bible teaching…

6. 6 Eunice and Lois: Teach God’s Word to Instill Faith, 2 Tim. 1:5 Genuine faith handed down Taught Scriptures from childhood, 2 Tim. 3:14-15 Teach your children faith in God (by teaching and living God’s word) – not the values of the world, Prov. 1:8-9; 31:26

7. 7 Challenges of Motherhood TIME: Use it wisely, 1 Pet. 4:7; Eph. 5:16; Deut. 6:7 PATIENCE: Self-control, 1 Cor. 9:25; Phil. 4:6 MULTI-TASKING: Managing the house, 1 Tim. 5:14 Mind of Christ, Phil. 2:3-5 Honor her, Prov. 31:28-29

8. 8 God’s Counsel to Mothers No favoritism and comparisons, Gen. 25:27-28 Set godly examples, Ezek. 16:44-45 (1 Pet. 3:1-2) Be thankful, 1 Ths. 5:18 “O my Lord…teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born.”

9. 9 Mothers are a Gift from God! “A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.” (Proverbs 15:20)