Key Thought: Great families have a higher purpose than themselves.
Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.
Why are moms so important to the family?
When you think of a mom what comes to mind?
What is it that separates a good parent from a great parent?
Who were some of the influential mother figures in your life?
Start thinking. Ask a thoughtful question.
What is it about good moms that make them so irreplaceable?
Why is it unhealthy for you to serve from a sense of guilt?
Motherhood is a form of service to the Lord. In what ways can we take that type of service into other areas of our lives such as church, work, and neighborhoods?
How would you encourage a mother who is struggling to find her purpose in the season she’s in?
Start sharing. Choose questions that create openness.
Pastor Bil shared that God has equipped moms for each stage of parenting. How has God equipped you for this stage of your life that you are in? How should you live life when you know you are fully equipped by God?
What can you, and will you, do to help others feel loved by Christ?
How can you treat the season you’re in as an act of worship to God?
Do you know anyone in your circle who is struggling with Mother’s Day or other family-related holidays? How can you pray for and encourage them?
Start praying. Be bold, and pray with power.
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us the gift of mothers. They can be such a picture of honor, sacrifice, and service. Please help us to not take them for granted. As they honor us, we want to honor them and show our appreciation this week. In your name we pray, Amen.
Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
As a group, identify the single mom’s in your lives, then create a plan to bless them and carry it out this week.
If you are or want to be a mother/father one day, write out your vision for parenting/family and what kind of parent you want to be. Place it in your home where your family vision can be seen, like a piece of art!
Pray a blessing over your children, the people you work with, and the people in your neighborhood. Praise God for those we have in our lives.
Mothers Day is a difficult day for some people. Pray for those who have lost a mother or a child. Pray for those who are going through a parent-child strain in their lives.
Scriptures
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. 2 Peter 1:3a
My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” Psalm 42:3
Hear, my child, your father’s instruction, and do not reject your mother’s teaching; for they are a fair garland for your head, and pendants for your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 NRSV
“‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sign against you. Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, And I shall observe it to the end. Psalm 119:9-11, 33 NAS
And give my son Solomon an uncluttered and focused heart so that he can obey what you command, live by your directions and counsel, and carry through with building The Temple for which I have provided.” 1 Chronicles 29:19 MSG
But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23
And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. Colossians 3:23 MSG
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: “Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all!” Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises! Proverbs 31:27-31 MSG
If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. John 14:15 MSG
