The Meaning and Ministry of Motherhood

The Meaning and Ministry of Motherhood (Genesis 1:27-28) The world has lost the meaning of motherhood. Motherhood is designed by God as a life-long calling, not a side note in a self-directed life. Motherhood is God’s original and ongoing plan to grow the next generation to know and serve God. The Meaning of Motherhood Is Tied to the Meaning of _____________ 1. Marriage is purposefully designed by God to produce _________________, with one male and one female Gen 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 2. Marriage is _______________________ on the blessing, enablement, and encouragement towards bearing children. Gen 1:28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." 3. Marriage initiates the _______________________ and gift of sexual intimacy, which God specifically designed and commanded to be enjoyed and experienced by a married couple, with the ultimate outcome of bearing and raising children within that marriage. Gen 1:27-28 4. Marriage, by God’s design, is then a commitment to ___________________, serving one’s spouse and raising one’s children. Motherhood Is a _________________________ of Bearing and Raising Children for the Glory of God 1. Since children are a blessing from God, motherhood is _______________ to be understood as a blessing from God. Ps 127:3-5a Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. 5 HAPPY [blessed] is the man who has his quiver full of them… Ps 128:1-4 Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. 2 When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD. 2. Since raising children takes years of __________________, motherhood is presented as a calling – a career – in itself. 1 Tim 5:9-10 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children… 1 Tim 5:14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. Northridge Baptist Church – Pastor Kevin Subra – May 10, 2020 3. The meaning and ministry of motherhood are both seen throughout the Bible. What Is ________________in Biblical Motherhood? 1. _______________________ children Gen 1:28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." 2. _______________________ for one’s children 1 Thes 2:7-8 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 3. _______________________ up one’s children 1 Tim 5:9-10 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children… 4. Being an _______________________ to one’s children Titus 2:3-5 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. 5. _______________________ one’s children Deut 6:5-9 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Prov 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; Prov 6:20-22 My son, keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. 21 Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. 22 When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you. Prov 31:1-31 – 1 The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him: • • • • Warns him of the dangers of immoral relationships (3) Warns him of the dangers of intoxicating substances (4-7) Challenges him to stand up for those that cannot defend themselves (8-9) Counsels him on what characteristics to look for in a wife (10-31) Concluding Thoughts If you are a mother, you can do nothing more eternal or more important in this life than to raise and influence your children for the Lord, and to be able to serve God in the next generation. If you desire to be a mother, remember that marriage is God’s plan before being a mother. God’s design is to have kids grow up in a family with a father and a mother. Wait for marriage. If you are a woman that has believed the world’s lies about motherhood, read the Bible. See God’s clear plan for your life is beyond having a mere career or making money. Being married and raising children is way more eternal than anything else than this life, and is precisely in line with what God designed and commands. If you are a married man, children are the primary focus of marriage. Plan on it. Live on one income. Look forward to children that God may give you. If you are an unmarried man, one of the greatest blessings in all of life is to marry and raise children. It may not be the easiest life, and sometimes it may be downright difficult. However, there is nothing that fulfills a man and a woman more than raising a family for God. This is God’s design, and how God desires to bless you and your wife to be. Aim to be blessed by God in this way. Plan and prepare for marriage and fatherhood. The world has lost the meaning of motherhood. Motherhood is designed by God as a life-long calling, not a side note in a self-directed life. Motherhood is God’s original and ongoing plan to grow the next generation to know and serve God. Motherhood is God-designed as a life-long ministry of raising godly children for God’s glory. It is not a second-class position, but is actually the position for married women as God designed and desires. Mal 2:13-15 And this is the second thing you do: You cover the altar of the LORD with tears, With weeping and crying; So He does not regard the offering anymore, Nor receive it with goodwill from your hands. 14 Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant. 15 But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. Northridge Baptist Church – Pastor Kevin Subra – May 10, 2020 Some Areas a Mother Serves as an Example 1) By her enjoyment in her care for her husband (Gen 2:18; Titus 2:4) 2) By her enjoyment in her care for her children (1 Tim 5:10; Titus 2:4) 3) By her practice of discernment to limit her choices (1 Tim 5:14; Titus 2:5) 4) By her purity and modest lifestyle (1 Timothy 2:9-10; 5:9; Titus 2:5) 5) By her diligent work in her home (Prov 31:15-19) 6) By her management of her home (Prov 31:19-27; 1 Tim 5:14) 7) By her wise handling of finances (Prov 31:11-14) 8) By her diligent and industrious use of time (Prov 31:15,27) 9) By her practice of doing good (1 Tim 2:11; 5:10; Titus 2:5) 10) By her ministry to others in need (Prov 31:20; 1 Tim 5:10) 11) By her submission to her husband’s leadership (Titus 2:5) 12) By her reinforcement of God’s truth by her life (Titus 2:5) 13) By her godly use of her tongue (Prov 31:26; 1 Tim 5:13; Titus 2:3) 14) By her mentoring of younger women (Titus 2:3)