Words of a Mother
Notes
Transcript
The role of PARENTING is under attack these days. BOTH roles of Father and Mother are vital roles and both in our society have recieved pointed attacks. The war rages more and more each day! Europe has already relegated these roles to (Parent 1 and Parent 2).
The family institution (Father, Mother, Child, and Grandparents), which is the first and most fundamental institution, was established by God! He therefore gets to dictate how it should function. Our children are under attack by the world system around us, YET… it remains the parents who still hold the greatest influence in a child’s life. God has placed great importance on these roles and for that reason we do recognize and honor the role of MOTHER.
I read two quotes this week that caused my heart to sink...
“He alone who owns the youth, gains the future!” -Adolf Hitler
“it is in the minds and hearts of our children that the battle will be fought!” -Atheist Influencer
The world we live in has brought the battle to our children for our children!
In my reading I came across a quote by Ken Ham this week I found myself concerned. He writes:
Sadly, many parents don’t understand that the atheists and other secularists are out to capture the hearts and minds of generations of children—and unfortunately they aren’t aware that the secularists have been very successful in our schools, media, museums, etc. Yes, the children of this nation are under a fierce attack by secularists. We’ve already seen … that two-thirds of children from church homes are walking away from the church by the time they reach college age (and only a few return).
I find that we (as a society) are allowing PARENT to be relegated to it’s basic noun definition … and the church is becoming just as guilty!: (Webster)
Parent (noun)
a: one that brings forth offspring
b: a person who brings up and cares for another
Parent (verb)
: to be or act as the parent of… (DO NOT HAND OFF THE BRINGING UP AND CARING TO ANOTHER)
When we consider the parental roles of Father and Mother we can look to scripture to see God’s stance on this.
This morning I am approach my message in a topical format because I believe this topic of Parenting and Motherhood is vitally important for our day and our church family. It is NOT AN OPTION
God’s Command to Parent…
God’s Command to Parent…
As Israel would be brought out of Egypt, God gave His people His law… His standards by which they were to live… In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 He gives a clear directive to not only PARENTS but His people as a whole:
“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
Let me note several observations real quick:
“These Words” = the law God was given. Eventually it would entail the whole first five books of scripture (Pentateuch) or The Torah
Notice that the “words” are to be on their hearts first (all the people)
Then you are to “teach diligently” … ongoing, steadfastly, giving great effort
Make God’s Word and teachings a part of CONVERSATIONS
When you relax / down time at home / meals
When going place to place (as you go through life)
Make it how you start and end your days!
I love that this is addressed to ALL of God’s people… Parenting can be overwhelming and stressful!
The Wall Street Journal Published an article about the Surgeon General’s WARNING… Parenting Can Be Hazardous to your health!
It addresses the stresses, loneliness, weariness factors
In response to the Surgeon Generals WARNING… Answers in Genesis gave this response:
Perhaps families are more stressed because so many of them aren’t plugged into a local church (only about 30% of all US adults attend some form of religious services regularly) and therefore don’t have the community, support, and partnership that the family of God has offered generations. Older women aren’t teaching the younger women how to “love their husbands and children” (Titus 2:4), and older men aren’t encouraging and supporting fathers in their job of spiritually leading their homes. When we see reports like this, it should be a reminder that parents need the support of the church—we all need the community of believers.
For teaching and instructing God’s Word I find the wisdom literature a great place to start. The scriptures here are very useful and beneficial. The book of PROVERBS is close to my heart… ILLUSTRATE MOM
The Wisdom of Proverbs
The Wisdom of Proverbs
Very quickly in Chapter 1 and in Chapter 6 of Proverbs there is given to us the wisdom not to disregard or forsake the teaching of a mother… but to bind them, hold onto them Proverbs 1:8-9 & Proverbs 6:20-22
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.
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. When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you.
Instruction or Commands come from the father but TEACHING comes from the MOTHER…
Instruction =
a: PRECEPT a general rule intended to regulate thought or behavior, creating a culture through instruction (a message)
b: a direction calling for compliance: ORDER—
Teaching =
a: something taught especially: principles or DOCTRINE
b: a lesson EXPLAINED through words and engagement
In these proverbs the Hebrew here is = TORAH
220 times this word appears in the Old Testament
A mother here teaches law or ordinances (principles & Doctrine)
WORDS… Did you notice the emphasis to hold onto, treasure, and not forsake…
This is because of the explicit VALUE of what is said and taught
Often mama and dada are a child’s first words… Intriguing enough studies have shown that DADA is often the first…
It's generally believed that "dada" is often the first word a baby says with meaning.
Ease of pronunciation: da
Association: Some linguists theorize that babies might associate "dada" with a separate entity (dad) earlier than "mama" (mom), who they may initially perceive as part of themselves.
Hearing and interaction:Babies might hear "dada" more often, especially from their mothers, who are less likely to refer to themselves in the third person.
Don't worry!If your baby says "dada" first, it doesn't mean they are favoring their dad
Focus on interaction:Spend time reading, talking, and singing with your baby to encourage their language development.
Mom’s you are so influential in your child’s life… By far the most well known Proverb on raising children is Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
That word “TRAIN” is so important… It gives the idea of NARROWING
Jesus would teach: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
In training your child you TEACH them God’s Word, narrow their focus to the right path
What is taught young directs the child for life!
It is wrong for a parent to think that they let their child grow up anyway they choose… NO! We must direct them (narrow it) point them on the right path.
Proverbs 29:15 says that : “a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother”
We must teach them to follow God’s way, God’s Word…
God’s Words
God’s Words
They NEED YOU to teach them God’s Word… I love the words Mary spoke to to those who were with her… speaking of Jesus she says, “whatever He says to you, DO IT!”
Mom’s teach the words of the scriptures, tell your children to listen, and DO IT!
There is a great illustration in the new testament of a mother and a grandmother who knew and understood the importance of TEACHING God’s Word to their child…
In 2 Timothy 1:5 we read as Paul addresses Timothy:
For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.
How do we know they taught Timothy? Later in the same letter Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:14-15
You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
And look at the following two verses!!!! 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we see the VALUE of these words of scripture!
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Mom’s, DO NOT NEGLECT…
The unique opportunity you have to teach these words of wisdom
The Explicit command you have been given to teach these words
Proverbs are NOT promises… but the general rule is that teaching these words will lead to your children not departing from the scripture’s TRUTHS!
Mothers may it be said of you as it was of the mother in Proverbs 31: 26-28
She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 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…
