Sunday, May 13, 2007

Book Review: The Ministry of Motherhood, Introduction

MM - Intro Study Questions
I've debated if it would be better to have one entry with all the questions or 5 entries - one for each question. I guess we'll try it this way and then see what happens. I'll put my intial comments after the questions.
1. What purpose do you think God had in mind when He designed the role of mother? Have you ever specifically considered that, in becoming a mother, you have actually been called to a ministry? In what way does that concept change how you think about your role?
I think woman was meant to help/encourage a man to stay on the godly course God had set for him. I believe that woman was given jurisdiction over the home and that would include mothering. I believe mothers are, therefore, to partner with God and husband to mentor, teach, train, protect and prepare the soil of a child's heart for a life-changing relationship with God. I think a mother SHOULD be one of the first to teach a child about trust, unconditional love, forgiveness, mercy and grace.
2. Read Ps 127:3 - if possible, in more than one translation. What does this verse imply about the ministry of motherhood?
Children are gifts from God - all children. I don't believe, as I've heard some teach, that we can invert this verse and say that miscarriage, infertility etc are God's curse on individual women - and I'll leave that thought there.
This verse says to me that if I believe the word then I must believe that every child in my home (regardless of his gifts or disabilities) are gifts sent from heaven. Therefore, they should be treasured, valued, appreciated, cared for....and not scorned or resented for the work or discomfort they may bring into my life. ::snort::
3. Proverbs 31:10 - 31 paints a vivid portrait of the life of a godly woman. Describe what a Proverbs 31 life might look like in a modern context. What parts of this description do you find particularly inspiring? Which areas pose a challenge for you? How do you think these reactions relate to your ministry as a mother?
This woman would be intentional in the care and training of her children. She may homeschool, she may send her children to school....but she would be involved (my sil is a great example of a Mom whose children are in public school who is extremely aware and involved with her children's teachers/school/principal etc.). She would take the time to prepare nutritional meals (ouch), she would help help her children to be clean and clothed, she would make wise budget choices, her husband would trust her, her children would bless her. In my opinion the Proverb leaves it open that she may or may not work outside the home...but she will CERTAINLY have her home as her top priority and will work in the home. ::snort::
4. Read Proverbs 14:1. In what specific ways can a woman in this day and age build her house or tear it down? If possible, give examples from your own observation or experience. Then list four specific ways you want to build your house by ministering to your children and making disciples of them.
Tear down: allowing junk into her home via TV, movies, books, music, computers - in other words leaving her children to interact with the culture with no guidance or boundaries. Having a bad attitude towards her husband. Allowing sin to grow in her own life. Screaming and being unmerciful consistently to her children. Gallivanting all day rather than looking to the ways of her home. Or even doing GOOD things to the harm of her priorities at home. Spending more money that her family can afford causing her dh to have to work several jobs or forcing herself to go to work....out of control spending is what I'm thinking here....not simply not having enough $ to stretch the budget. LOL
5. Write out a plan for ministering to your own children using the acronym GIFTS List at least one goal for each letter.
I think I'm going to have to think about this and let it develop over time. I have our current projects with the children.....and they fit into these areas. Our overarching family goal is to show our children what it means to love the Lord wholeheartedly and to love others as ourselves....that would fit into some of those categories...but I'm not quite ready to write out a whole new system....gotta pray about this.

10 comments:

Lisa in Jax said...

1. I see my role as someone to nuture and care for my children. To have a close relationship and to give the children unconditional love. I have to say that I never considered my role as a ministry but reading this book has opened up more in my understanding of my role at home.

Lisa in Jax said...

2. That we should cherish the gifts that God has given us.

3. Whew, now this is a bug chunk for one question!LOL I could write a book on this one alone.LOL

Today's woman would have her dh's complete trust in all areas of their lives. She would budget her finances wisely, trying hard to save as much as she can, even if it means working harder to do so.(ouch) She would work hard in the home to provide a safe and enjoyable place for her family to live in or come home to. She would fix healthy nourishing meals and would prepare her children to be able to do so someday. She would be diligent and hardworking. She would give cheerfully to the poor. She would not gossip and would look cheerfully to the future.

I feel inspired by the diligence of this woman. She's hardworking but looks joyfully at her work! I have been trying to accomplish this in my own life.

I find it challenging to save money. A lot of times I go for saving time than saving money and I need to work harder at that.

I think that I show my kids diligence but I need to work on being thrifty. I try to approach my work with a happy thought but maybe I need to do more outwardly so that they can see my work as being a joy to me.

Lisa in Jax said...

4. Talking ill about your children within ear-shot.

I used to tell my children they were what I wanted them to be.LOL If Jon was a stinker, I'd call him a great little boy and you know what? Over time that's exactly what he became. I saw other mom's do the opposite and saw their kids become exactly what they called them.

Talking bad about your dh.

This has a tendency to hurt your relationship and the relationship of those you 'vent' to. I learned this early in my marrage. Now only good words are spoken, even when I'm mad.LOL

Gossiping

No one likes a gossip, it tears down your integrity and makes people think bad things about your household.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

1. - Lisa, I'm glad. I pray that this book DOES open our eyes to understand and value the role we have in our homes. Yes...a ministry. A shepherd, teacher, guard....

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Great thoughts, Lisa...both on the Prov 31 woman and the silly Prov 14 woman.

Anonymous said...

1.(a) Before salvation: To go forth and multiply.
Since salvation: To nourish and nurture the body, heart, minds of our children. To help them feel secure in Chirst's love, in our family.

(b) Before De'Etta introduced the idea in a bible study of marriage being my first calling and motherhood my second, no, I'd not considered motherhood a ministry. I like how the author writes on p. 6, "that God created very normal people like me to have a ministry - a spiritual impact in the lives of other people." I'm starting to understand why motherhood is a ministry.

(c) I feel it requires more of me.

2. I don't quite understand the word, "imply." The scripture seems clear. It is fact: Children are gifts/heritage of God. Rewards of the womb. What is given is cared for or not. The choice is ours.

3. Most inspiring verse 25. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. When older w/balding white hair, I hope this may be my clothing and outlook of life.

Modern context: Lisa in jax put it best. I wrote, she serves those in need: husband, children, those the LORD places in her path.

Challenging verse 26. She open her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
I can be rash and my words harsh.

4. This is a hard one for me. I'm not ready to share publicly on it.

5. Need to think on this. Hers works well and I'm not sure how I would alter it. Requires thought and prayer.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

**Before De'Etta introduced the idea in a bible study of marriage being my first calling and motherhood my second, no, I'd not considered motherhood a ministry.**

Really, Darshia? COOL! How fun to hear how God uses our attempts to minister to bring His fruit....

2. I think by "imply" Sally was looking for us to find some real life applications. IF we truly believe children are a gift and a reward how would that change our daily mothering? etc?

So many of those verses in Pr 31 are very challenging...good challenging....maybe we should do an inductive study on Pr 31....sometime. LOL

Debbie said...

1. I see my first roll as support for dh, secondly partner with dh in nurturing and training the children. I think the discipleship part has not always been a priority, but we are growing in that area and seeing how important it is.

2. This verse has been a difficult one. Being infertile, I have often felt cursed somehow. I actually had a pastor preach a Mother's Day sermon on how those of us that did not have birth children should consider it a sign from God that we were not meant to have children. See all of our children, even the Littles, as blessings is a challenge for me some days.

3. Ugh, this woman overwhelms, but does encourage me also to try harder. Over the years, I've seen her as an older woman, not sure why. I love the part about strength and dignity being her clothing. That is the key verse for me. All the other things seem to stem from that.

4. Right now, I know my tone is tearing down. I start everyday with prayer and do well for a while and then the constantness of what we are dealing with breaks down my resolve and I can be harsh. Not spending enough time with my own spirituatl growth leaves me feeling drained and empty. I need to do my own discipling before I can help the children. Allowing the house to get ahead me. The clutter and mess are easily overlooked. This does not make for a calming, comforting home.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

**2. This verse has been a difficult one.

I'm with you on this one. I've heard this verse preached totally out of context. I don't think we are to take a verse that says children are a gift and blessing and preach the inverse. My brother and his wife are infertile. I've often cringed in groups that are discussing these issues when I hear how callous people can be.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

4. But Debbie, you have listed some great first steps to take....I think we can all let our tone slide if we aren't aware of what we are doing. I know that since beginning this book I'm a LOT more aware of what I'm living before my children LOL