When my boys were young they often would ask for something that was not in their best interest. For example if they were hungry and wanted a snack they would ask for a cookie, candy or some other sweet food. But I would often tell them they could have cheese, fruit or veggies for a snack. If they truly wanted to eat they could, but the choices were better for them. Sometimes they would decide they really didn’t want a snack other times they would make a choice.
The point is, they wanted a snack and as their mother I would provide them the opportunity to have a snack by making healthy choices.
Being a spiritual mother is much like being a mother to our children. Often we think we know what we need, but in reality we are just wanting what looks good, “taste” good or feels good at the time.
I am thankful for a spiritual mother in my life that loves me enough that if I was pursuing that which was not good for me she would pull me aside and let me know. She would tell me what I needed. Granted in the end I could choose not to do what she says, just as my children could have chosen not to have a snack. But at least she has given me advice or choices that were of wisdom and in my best interest.
Being a spiritual mother, or mentor one has the responsibility given to her by God to do what is best for her “daughters”. Just as a mother is responsible before God to make wise choices for her own children. I believe both will be held accountable for the way they have trained those God places within their world of influence.
So if this is true, and I believe it is (see the responsibilities of the older women to the younger in Titus 2:3-5) then women who are leaders of women need to be diligent in being sure that they are giving the women within their ministry biblically healthy choices. Choices that will encourage them deeper into understanding the heart of God. Choices that will help them know God, know how to study His word for themselves and choices that will leave them longing for more of God. Those leading women need to be sure that they are growing their women toward a steady diet of solid food not just the milk of the word.(Heb 5:11)
Hear my heart on this please, I am concerned when women have been in Bible studies for 20+ years and they still aren’t able to “feed” themselves. I am concerned when spiritual leaders/mothers offer reading groups, craft nights, fun nights, and social events with little in-depth Bible Studies. It is somewhat like offering my boys a choice in a cookie or carrot stick for a snack. They would always choose the cookie.
What if we as a generation of spiritual mothers began to offer women spiritually healthy choices? Sure our ministries might be smaller, but we would be intentional in what we were trying to grow our women toward.
I don’t think have to provide “fun” activities for our women the world offers plenty of that it. What we need to be doing is teaching our women how to study and grow on their own. We need to be helping them understand who they are in Christ, how to battle their enemy and how to be prepared to stand firm during the last days.
We need to offer healthy choices from the word of God.
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Eph 4:11-15 |
So true, Sharon! There is, and has been such a lack in that area. As mature christian women, we really need to fill that void, and especially as the days draw to a close. Time is of the essence!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more Sharon... what makes me sad in my little sphere of the world here is that so many ladies do not desire to dig deeper into the Word and therefore do not take advantage of the opportunities offered to them.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless you as you reach out and minister to those ladies God places in your life... I know they will be blessed by you!
Blessings!
I agree with the heart of the message you have here. However, i must say that I got my Bible study started by first offering a fun refreshing time to the ladies/mothers in my group. When I decided to stay home I let all the ladies in my church know I was strating a play group. We got together once a week here at my home, where I offered a home cooked meal for them (they brought their own food from home for their babies, b/c we had different ages, babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers.) I also had crafts like finger painting or popsicle puppets for the children, as well as music activities, and age appropriate toys and books for them to share together. I had 2 to begin with,but, invited other ladies I met at the local park, or through my husband's work. I got to know these ladies and offered all this before I suggested we start a Bible study togther. And let me say only half of the ladies were Christians, the other half were not, and I don't think they would have been receptive to the idea, if they had not come to the "fun" stuff first, and had the chance to get to know me and see that I really care about them, and that I was sincere, not just trying to preach at them. Now we do both playgroup and Bible study, and our group has grown so much spiritually, which has help to make us better wives and mothers too. So, sometimes it helps to have both. Sometimes we can draw people in witht he fun stuff and then their hearts are more open and receptive to the deeper stuff, because they've had time to see Christ in your life and they know there is something different -something they want. I know it's not the same everywhere, but, we've had great success here with our ladies group.
ReplyDeleteAMEN! I'm not sure the offerings aren't there. The interest isn't there. I'm guessing that's why folks are brainstorming other ideas to pull in women--as churches are doing in general.
ReplyDeleteI feel so full of joy when I dig deep into the Word, but, apparently, I am unable to convey that joy well enough for others to see it and want it. I think more prayerful intent for God to use me as an encourager in this regard is warranted. (And I have an opportunity to teach this fall, so it's definitely a good time to pray for that!)