I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      In 1865, William Ross Wallace wrote the poem The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is the Hand that Rules the World.  History has proven that his words are true.  Consider these presidential quotes:

                                                             1.      “The greatest teacher I ever had was my mother.” – George Washington

                                                             2.      “All that I am my mother made me.” – John Quincy Adams

                                                             3.       “The memory of my mother and her teachings were the only capital I had to start life with, and on that capital I have made my way.” – Andrew Jackson

                                                             4.      “All that I am and all I ever hope to be, I owe to my mother; no man is poor when he has a godly mother.” – Abraham Lincoln

B.      There is no doubt that a mother has a profound effect on the life of her child.  Therefore, every mother should seek to have the very best effect possible on her child in the home.

                                                             1.      In this lesson of the series “Building a God-Centered Home,” we will examine the role of mothers within the home.

                                                             2.      This lesson is greatly needed in our modern culture, which encourages a woman to neglect motherhood and abandon her children in favor of worldly pursuits.

II.      A MOTHER’S LOVE

A.      Mothers are blessed with a natural affection for their children, which some have called a maternal instinct.  Scripture often makes reference to this natural bond of mother and child.

                                                             1.      God’s word presents a mother’s love as an enduring bond that does not break: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and have no compassion on the son of her womb?” (Isa. 49:15).

                                                             2.      Scripture also uses a mother’s love as the standard of compassion: “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you” (Isa. 66:13).

                                                             3.      When Paul described his care for the church at Thessalonica, he used the figure of a mother: “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children” (1Thess. 2:7).

B.      This natural affection manifests itself through a mother’s tireless efforts to do the best for her child (notice the words “compassion,” comfort,” and “care” in the Scriptures above).  Consider some examples:

                                                             1.      Jochebed’s love for her son Moses moved her to save him when Pharaoh commanded for all the newborn sons of Israel to be killed (Ex. 1:22-2:10).

                                                             2.      Solomon provoked this natural affection to identify a mother when two women disputed a claim to the same child (1Ki. 3:16-27).  The woman who preferred to give up the child rather than have him killed revealed her maternal love, and Solomon gave her the child.

                                                             3.      A faithful Canaanite woman’s love of her daughter moved her to plead with the Lord for her daughter’s healing, which the Lord granted (Matt. 15:21-28).

C.      These examples are typical of mothers who work and pray for their children, instilling in their children a sense of love and security that comforts them for their entire lives.

                                                             1.      Many have noted that on fields of battle, in every culture, era, and language, a soldier’s dying words are most often to cry for his mother.

                                                             2.      One of the few comforts our Lord received as He died on the cross was that His mother was there (John 19:25).  How anguished Mary’s life must have been, knowing Jesus as she did (Luke 2:19, 34-35, 51) and yet she was at His side until the end.

III.   A MOTHER’S WORK IN THE HOME

A.      Sadly, many pressures in our society influence women to think that the home is too small of a place for them and that motherhood is not a sufficient use of their time.

                                                             1.      To be a “stay-at-home mom” is considered degrading and out-dated by feminists.  Instead, they encourage a modern woman to seek worldly success for her own sake.

                                                             2.      Also, the pressure for wealth and possessions has sent many mothers out of the home and away from their children.

a.       Certainly, some mothers have to work out of necessity, and this is acceptable.  Consider that the “excellent wife” of Proverbs 31 worked to support her home (Prov. 31:16, 24).

b.       However, many mothers are compelled to work just to sustain what is expected of a modern, two-income family.

                                                             3.      The end result is that the home and the children suffer because a mother is distracted from her God-given work in the home.

B.      The truth is that God desires for a mother to be a worker for her home.

                                                             1.      Among the various directions given to young women, Paul wrote for them to “love their children” and to be “workers at home,” with the added motivation “that the word of God may not be dishonored” (Tit. 2:4-5).

                                                             2.      Similarly, Paul wrote Timothy, “I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach” (1Tim. 5:14).

                                                             3.      This is the image of a godly woman who is to be busy in and about her home.

a.       Notice Proverbs 31:27-29 – “She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying: ‘Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.’”

b.       A quote from an old movie gives a good description of a godly mother in the home: “My mother was always on the run – always the last to start her dinner and the first to finish.  For, if my father was the head of our house, my mother was its heart” (How Green Was My Valley, 1940).

C.      Part of the God-given work of a mother in the home is to be a teacher of her children.

                                                             1.      In the previous lesson, we noticed that Ephesians 6:4 gives the burden of raising children in “the discipline and instruction of the Lord” to fathers.  However, mothers also have a significant part in children’s teaching as they work under the authority of their husbands.

                                                             2.      The Proverbs admonish not only the teachings (instructions) of the father but also of the mother.

a.       “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck.” (Prov. 1:8-9).

b.       “My son, observe the commandment of your father, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck.” (Prov. 6:20-21).

                                                             3.      Not only is a mother to teach through verbal instruction, but she also has authority over the child to discipline him.

a.       Notice Proverbs 29:15 – “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.”

b.       Even the Lord Himself was in subjection to His own mother as she had authority over the child Jesus (Luke 2:51).

                                                             4.      Even when a father fails to nurture his child in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, a mother’s lessons can make up for a father’s failure.

a.       Timothy is an example of one who was well taught because of his faithful mother (and grandmother).

i.         Timothy was the son of a believing Jewish mother and an unbelieving Greek father (Acts 16:1).

ii.        He became a believer in Christ and a faithful evangelist largely because of the faithful, Scriptural teachings and of his mother and grandmother from his childhood (2Tim. 1:5; 3:14-17).

b.       Many godly mothers have thus taught their sons and daughters God’s word without the help of fathers.

D.      These things are good and right for a mother of children, for God has ordained them.

                                                             1.      Notice 1Timothy 2:15 – “But women shall be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.”

a.       Some translations of this verse use the word “saved” rather than “preserved” (NASB), which gives a sense of importance to this message for women.

b.       Without considering a detailed explanation of this verse, one thing is clear – the bearing of children coupled with faith, love, sanctity, and self-restraint is a good thing for women.

                                                             2.      Therefore, let us embrace the wisdom of God pertaining to women and motherhood, and let us shun the foolish ways of the world.

a.       Rather than advancing themselves, mothers who have rejected God’s plan for them have set themselves and their homes back from what is best.

b.       It is time to return to God’s ways.  Our children, our homes, and our nation will be better for it.