Motherhood is both a divine calling and an immense responsibility. As we celebrated Mother’s Day this past weekend as a church, we looked at Proverbs 31 and the prayer of a mother for her son. At the root of it all, we saw that godly mothers train their children in godliness.
Children: A Divine Fruit of Marriage
Take a moment to read Proverbs 31:1-9. In verse 2 we read, “What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?” “Son of my vows” is interesting language here, but in it, I think we are to see that children are not merely the result of human desire or pleasure. By God’s design, children are the fruit of marriage. Mothers, regardless of your circumstance, whether you’re a single mother or part of a traditional family unit, children are blessings from God, intended for His purposes and glory. Kids are not given to us for our respect but rather His renown. Kids are not here for our pleasure but God’s purposes. Children are fruit of and fruit for the Father’s kingdom, and our role as parents is to instruct them, disciple them, and apprentice them into adulthood.
Shaping Character: A Mother’s Duty
In Proverbs 31 we also see that moms have a duty to shape character in the home. One of the most significant roles of a mother is to shape the character of her children, and in a world focused on superficial achievements and fleeting pleasures, godly mothers prioritize instilling values that reflect God’s kingdom. Fathers often set the vision for the family, but mothers are the executors, playing a vital role in nurturing children who will know the Word, fear the Lord, and live passionately for the nations.
Honoring God’s Design & Remembering God’s Purposes
Two specific ways mothers are called to teach their children to honor God is by teaching them to honor His design and to remember His purposes. In today’s hypersexualized culture, mothers face the challenge of guiding their children to honor God’s design for their bodies and sexuality. This takes courage to stand upon biblical principles and teach children the value of purity and self-control. But by doing so, children are equipped to navigate a world that often promotes self-indulgence over Godly living. Mothers must also continually remind children of God’s purposes for their lives. Just as King Lemuel’s mother in Proverbs 31 is trying to awaken Lemuel to his task of ruling in a just way, mothers have a job to awaken their children to fulfill their purposes for God’s kingdom. God has specific plans and purposes for each of our children that He has ordained for their good and His glory. Mothers, when you are knee deep in the throes of diapers, driving, and homework duty, remember God’s purposes for your children, and let this fuel you to raise them to step into all that He has built them for!
Accept the Call to Train Your Kids
Accepting the call to train our children in godliness requires intentional effort and reliance on God’s grace. Here are three application points to consider if you’re a mother who wants to accept the call to train your children:
- You can’t pour into your children if you are on empty. Mothers, if you want to effectively nurture your children and raise them in the truth of the gospel, you must prioritize your spiritual and physical health. There is a call to fathers here, too. You are called to disciple your wife and set her up for success. How are you helping your wife fill up her own cup to then pour into others?
- Instruct children after remembering the gospel. Remembering that we were sinners first before we were ever sinned against will shape every aspect of our daily lives, including our parenting. Remember that Jesus Christ went to the cross for you before your children, and in His resurrection, He has given you new life. Consider what you have been saved from, and let this influence how you instruct your children!
- Ask the Lord if your family is finished growing. Seek God’s guidance on whether your family is complete, remaining open to His leading and considering avenues such as adoption to expand your family. If you feel that God may be choosing you to be one of the ones who brings a chosen baby into this church family, click here [link to mercyhillchurch.com/afc] for more information about the Mercy Hill Adoption & Foster Care Ministry.
Ultimately mothers, as you sit under the profound responsibility of motherhood, I pray that you will embrace the divine call to nurture godliness in your children, trusting in God’s provision and guidance every step of the way.
– Andrew Hopper (Lead Pastor)
Watch the full sermon from Mother’s Day weekend below:
Additional Resources
Chosen: The Mercy Hill Adoption & Foster Care Ministry
Learn more about how you can get involved in Mercy Hill’s adoption and foster care ministry!
A Gospel Primer for Christians: Learning to See the Glories of God’s Love
A great resource on preaching the gospel to yourself.
