Mother's Day
Next Steps
Part of Mother's Day
May 8, 2022

Mothers day SQUARE.png

Mother’s Day - Next Steps

Summary
Mothers are described in the Bible as having a huge influence on our lives, mostly good influences. The stories of Ruth and Esther are described as influential at a personal level and influential to the development of the Gospel narrative and the arrival of Jesus.

Consider This

The launching point for the application of the message was this passage from 2 Timothy 1:3-7

“3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

Be Available
The message of this week connected first to mothers and then to parenting with the exhortation to “be available.” Yet, perhaps, the application of this message can be extended into any of our significant relationships.

  • Jesus often reminds us “I am with you”. What do we know or what can we learn from the example of the “withness” of God that will help us to truly be “with” those who represent important and significant relationships?
  • How do we know when someone is truly available and what tells us that they aren’t?

Be a Godly Example
Pastor John went back into the 2 Timothy passage and expanded on the notion that Timothy watched a faith in his mother and grandmother that was authentic, real and growing. Look up and read what is commonly referred to as “The Beatitudes” in Matthew 5:3-12.

  • Describe those times when you might have fallen short of being the example described in this passage, times when you might have been challenged to move into the examples in this passage, or times when you felt like you were matching up to these examples of godliness?

Be an Encouragement
In 1 Thessalonians 4:12-28, we read of these encouragements Paul offered to the church. Read through this passage and think about the ways you might be able to offer encouragement to your children or to others who might represent significant relationships. Take a moment to reflect then share your thoughts with the others in the group or in prayer with God if you are alone.

Moving Forward

Read Deuteronomy 6:5-9

  • What do you see in this passage? How might the exhortations in this passage change the way that you relate to your children or to others that represent significant relationships? What new habits might you want to build into your routine to help you nurture the ideals described in this passage?
  • As you sort through the matters we discussed today where can we help? What support, prayers or otherwise, would facilitate the development of the kinds of ideals expressed in the message and this study?