THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN AS A MOTHER

   INTRODUCTION:

   A.  Webster's first definition of "mother" is "a female parent, esp. one
       of the human race." Another definition is: "that which has produced
       or nurtured anything; source of birth or origin"
   B.  Thayer's  Greek - English Lexicon suggest word "mother" comes from a
       root word which means measure, but whether denoting the 'moulder' or
       'manager' is debated. In his discussion one comes to understand that
       this word involves idea of origination or producer along with the
       idea of caring for or providing a secure place
   C.  A study of this word shows that there is more involved in being a
       mother than just the ability to bear children.
   D.  As fatherhood involves grave responsibility, so does motherhood. It
       takes a godly woman to be a mother in the real sense of the word.

   DISCUSSION:

   I.  ORPHANS WITH LIVING MOTHERS

   A.  Motherhood begins at conception Psa 139:13-16
     1.  If a woman is unwilling to be a mother in the real sense, she
         should refrain from bearing children
     2.  Just because a woman is fertile and able to bear children does not
         make her a real mother
   B.  As some children with living fathers are in practicality orphans, so
       are some children with living mothers
     1.  The mother is never there for the child when needed
     2.  As far as the child is concerned the mother might as well be dead.
     3.  Some children are literally deserted and some are in practicality
         deserted, because of mother's absence
     4.  How mothers can abandon children thru abortion I'll never know
       a.  According to figures I have there is a baby aborted every minute
       b.  To date been over 30 million abortions, more than were killed in
           all the wars beginning with the revolutionary war, to the
           present
     5.  Motherhood involves very serious responsibilities
   C.  It takes work and sacrifice to be a good mother. Prov 31:28

   II.  MOTHERS MUST DISCIPLINE ALSO

   A.  I looked again at passages in proverbs & noticed that in many of
       them there was no gender of parent indicated  
       Prov 19:18; 22:6; 1:8,9; 29:15,17; 22:15; 23:13,14
     1.  Remember correction is a proof of love Heb 12:5-11 mothers are to
         be taught to love their children Tit 2:4
     2.  If undisciplined your child is not loved
     3.  "Spare the rod and spoil the child" also to mothers .
     4.  Children obey your parents, means mother and father Eph 6:1,2
   B.  Effective correction is not done by the "rod" alone
     1.  Timothy's mother and grandmother instilled their faith  2Tim 1:5
     2.  Mothers must recognize their responsibility to impart spiritual
         knowledge to their children

   III. BABY-SITTERS - SUBSTITUTE MOTHERS

   A.  Graham B Blaine Jr. M.D. "Are Parents Bad For Children"
     1.  "The liberation movement threatens the traditional family by
         challenging women to leave home and fulfill themselves through
         full-time participation in jobs of the professions bypassing their
         role as child bearers and rearers. "
     2.  "By relegating these functions to a lesser priority, the movement
         is discouraging women from having children and encouraging those
         who do choose to become mothers to delegate more and more of the
         responsibility for their upbringing to nursery schools and day
         care centers."
   B.  Moses was raised by a "baby-sitter" or nurse Ex 2:7-10
     1.  He was learned in all wisdom of Egyptians Acts 7:22
     2.  However, his nurse - his mother (baby-sitter) had the greater
         influence on his life Ex 2:11,12; Acts 7:23-29
     3.  Illustrates tremendous influence over a child in formative years
     4.  If a child is basically raised by unbeliever, what will be
         results?

   IV.  SONS NEED MOTHERS TOO

   A.  Boys do not need to be made into "Mama's boys" or sissies they need
       to be made into real men - Godly men
   B.  To do this, they do need the influence of a godly mother
     1.  From their mothers they learn kind of woman they need for a wife
     2.  From their mothers they learn the responsibilities of a wife and
         what they should expect from their wives

   CONCLUSION:

   A.  Truly "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world."
   B.  Mothers need to realize the tremendous impact and influence they
       have in the lives of their children.
   C.  Mothers need to get back to the business of being mothers instead of
       trying to be career-women and competing for the responsibilities
       that belong to the man.
   D.  I am not necessarily condemning women/mothers working outside home,
       but issuing warning & hope recognize your greater responsibility.

   Daniel Lee Henderson   Buckhorn, MS   2/10/98 9:34:21 AM
   From an outline by Jerry L. Henderson

   Return to The Christian Home