As the week’s sermon series fell on a Mother’s Day, Pastor Matroner George took the opportunity to fully explain (soon to be and current) the importance of mothering children to become followers of Christ. To help in articulate this vision, Pastor Matroner illustrates that the very design of motherhood by God was intentional so that a mother and parent’s first mission field begins with their children. While it may not initially seem as exciting as spreading the gospel to distant lands, the truth is that, for mothers who are in Christ, their work is not ordinary.
To help shed light on this extraordinary mission, Pastor Matroner relies on the book of Matthew 28 v.19-20:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

As shown in this verse, Jesus was commissioning His disciples to go and bring more followers to Christ. The disciples were instructed to start closest then go furthest. This too was echoed in the book of Acts 1 v. 8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Once again within this verse, the message was clear. The disciples were instructed to begin with Jerusalem (their home city) and then move outwards to Judea, Samaria and the ends of the world. In a similar vein, mothers too are missionaries who are instructed to start with their immediate spheres of influence; their children at home, followed by their local church, their city, country, and the rest of the world.

God has expressly designed mothers for this Divine purpose. There is no better example to illustrate this vision than with Eve, who was made as a complementary addition to Adam. Eve possessed a womb, had the ability to feed a baby and was also able to provide physical love. Eve too was created with the desire to mother many children and be fiercely protective over them. Similarly, unless that trust is broken, children were created to be absolutely dependent and obedient to their parents. Such a unique relationship creates a ripe opportunity for God’s work to take place.

God’s purpose for motherhood
Motherhood is about God. He has entrusted mothers with His children and so a mother’s mission necessarily begins and ends with Christ.

Mission begins and ends with the gospel. Jesus is in control
Mothers should not be mistaken into believing that they are the center. Mothers are conduits of God’s grace. This is why mothers are filled with the hunger to fill the world with more children for His glory and also the hunger to love children unconditionally to mirror God’s love for His children.
However, in spite of this perfect set-up, mothers alone cannot fulfil God’s design for motherhood because we live in a sinful and broken world. Because of the fall of humanity which originated from Adam and Eve, this curse has also seeped its way into God’s perfect design for motherhood. But in Christ, there is hope. Just as He said in Matthew 18 v. 18 that all authority on heaven and earth has been given to Him, so too does ultimate authority over our children. Until Christ returns, mothers have the mission of duplicating life and pointing that life to Jesus. God has designed mothers intentionally this way and Jesus provided ways and means to achieve this. Jesus laid down a blueprint that Mothers can follow.
Disciple children with the express purpose of knowing Jesus, loving Him and making Him known. Children should always leave their households with the hunger and passion to know God.

Be with Children: Disciples were with Jesus all of the time. Through this they observed Jesus modeling the right behavior while Jesus also instructed them on the right behavior. Other people cannot be allowed to disciple children. Parents are obliged to spend time with their children as parents will also learn of the fruits of righteousness through observing their parents. These interactions also present parents with the perfect opportunity for consistent, systematic instruction and for the word to be imparted onto their children. Scriptures should be jointly memorized. Families should pray together and time must be set aside for family devotionals.

Guard your children’s influence: Parents must make sure that all that their children are consuming is permitted by God. Parents should also see to it that their influences and role models also exemplify Christ like character.

All of these demands that fall on a mother and parents’ shoulder are indeed strenuous and require significant effort. Yet, God has provided a helper. Jesus promised this in John 14:16 when He said:

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever”

The Holy Spirit will be there to guide as you birth new children, select their schools, teach them the word, correct their behavior and also guide you in making difficult decisions. We are all commissioned to go and make disciples starting with our closest sphere of influence. You will not be alone.