MAIN POINT:

Jesus modeled how we should care for our mothers.

ICEBREAKER:

Share a story about your mom!

INTRODUCTION:

This weekend we finished out our Madness series by talking about how “mind monsters” can affect our moms. If you are a mom, you may have struggled with the same feelings that the moms in the video clip shared. “I’m not patient enough,” “I think I’m screwing up my kids,” “I don’t know what I’m doing!” were some of the feelings shared by multiple mothers. Pastor Chris preached about Mary and how the circumstances in her life as she carried Jesus and raised him were fodder for mind monsters. He shared scripture from the gospel of John in which Jesus cares for his mother, even while on the cross. He encouraged us to care for our moms this Mother’s Day and every day by providing emotional support, encouragement, financial support, and relieving stress.

ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH BIBLE STUDY:

1. You may not be a mom yourself, but everyone has a mom and knows a mom. Why do you think moms are prone to “mind monsters” or self-doubts like those shared by the moms in the video?

2. Social media can build moms up or tear them down. How have you found this to be true? What can you do to be a part of the solution?

3. Moms are the women who birthed us and/or raised us, but there is another type of mom. Does anyone have a “spiritual mom” (or dad)? Does anyone have “spiritual children”? How have these people helped you in your walk with Christ?

Read John 19:25-27.

4. What does this exchange at the cross tell you about Jesus’ relationship with his mother Mary?

5. How have you (or how will you) care for your mom as she gets older?

6. How has your appreciation of your mom changed as you have gotten older?

Read Ephesians 6:1-3.

7. This is the first command with a promise. What is the promise?

8. What are some practical ways in which you can honor your father and your mother?

Close in prayer. Pray especially for those who are mothers, those who want to be mothers, and those who have lost their mothers.

LEADER NOTES:

Leaders, please by sympathetic to those having a difficult time with Mother’s Day. This discussion may be painful for those whose mothers have died recently, or for those struggling with infertility. Your group should be a safe place where people are allowed to share their hurts and find encouragement.

If your group is a group of young families, you might consider using a group time to give the moms a break. Let the dads keep the kids, and let the moms have dinner or coffee out on the town!