The Great Mom-Mission
“But, we’re moms, and we have people that literally live in our own houses and depend on us for survival, that are ready to hear the Gospel.”
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
I personally love scripture that gives us clear instructions on how to live. The Bible is a perfect guidebook for life. This scripture is the last recorded command Jesus gives according to the Gospel of Matthew. The disciples, who He was physically talking to, were given what scripture calls “The Great Commission”. To go as far as they could go and spread the good news of Jesus to as many people as they could reach. And this is widely considered a command for all believers, not just those who heard it straight from Jesus (side note-oh how I wish I could have met Jesus when He walked on earth!). We, today, have it way easier than the original disciples. We can simply log into social media and share the Gospel almost anywhere in the world.
But, we’re moms, and we have people that literally live in our own houses and depend on us for survival, that are ready to hear the Gospel (and this still applies to moms of adult children who live outside the home). We are called to the Great Mom-Mission. They say, “You’re your child’s first teacher.”, but they should say, “You’re your child’s first teacher of Jesus.”
Maybe this seems overwhelming. Another task on the to-do list. Another thing to worry about. And in a way, yes, it for sure is. But it doesn’t have to stay like that. Sharing the Gospel with our families doesn’t have to be a chore.
Let me tell you a quick little story about me. I love to organize and plan. I love having a place for everything in my house and a schedule for everything that needs to be done. Buuuuuuuuuuuttt nothing in my house is ever in it’s place and things don’t get done. I’ve heard some people call this a “Type C” mom. So when I think about starting discipleship, naturally I make a huge elaborate plan. I used to teach and I love a good lesson plan. And after my plan is finished, I’m so overwhelmed that I do none of it…cue the mom guilt and comparison.
What I have to remind myself is Jesus didn’t tell the disciples to go make a plan first. He just said do it. And He knew they could do it for two reasons. They were living a life worthy of the Gospel of Christ, and He, through the Holy Spirit, was going with them.
So moms, it starts with our own discipleship. It starts with living our own lives in a way that is worthy of the Gospel, and then that spills into our homes and our mothering. It happens when we’re living with Jesus in our lives, and when we’re running our homes in a way that involves Jesus. It’s more about having a willing heart to follow the leading of the Spirit than making a list (or a whole lesson plan) of things we think we should be doing.
Discipleship is not going to be easy and we’re not always going to know what to do or so. We’re not always going to get it right. But Jesus sends us a Helper to go with us. When we ask for the Holy Spirit, He’s always there to help with our questions, our tricky situations, or just when we think we can’t keep going.
Moms, today I want you to reflect on this. Is your heart ready to follow the Spirit’s leading in discipling your children? Do you focus more on how you’re “supposed to” do it than the heart behind it?
Faith Follow-Through:
This week, take some time to grow in motherhood and faith:
Tuesday:
Discipling step 1, ask God how you should disciple your children. I can give you practical things to do all day, and you can Google it and find podcasts, articles, videos, books and more, full of ideas. But those ideas aren’t God’s ideas. What works for one family, isn’t the best God has for your family. The most intentional thing you can do is to live out Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.”
Only God knows how best to disciple your children, so your first step is to go to God. He created your children, let Him tell you how to disciple them.
Go to God (Make this prayer personal to you): God, I come to You today in complete trust, with all my heart. I cannot lean on my understanding in discipling my children so I’m coming to You, ready to follow Your path. I ask that You send the Spirit to remind me in every situation to acknowledge You, to seek You first. I want to lead my children to You, and I can only do that with Your guidance and direction for my path. Amen.
Wednesday:
Today let’s take a look at our lives. Are we living worthy of the Lord and of the Gospel of Christ? What does that even mean? Let’s look at Colossians 1:9-12. (If you have time, check out Ephesians 4:1-3 and Philippians 1:27 also) Make a list, mentally or physically, of a few ways your life points to God. According to Colossians 1:9-10, what will help you live in a manner worthy of the Lord?
Reflect on some ways that your life points your children to Jesus. Do you spend time praying in front of them, over them or with them? Do you prioritize time with God? Can you be found reading your Bible? Do you seek God first, and His knowledge and understanding before decisions and in times of need? (Just a reminder, God will nudge you toward what He wants YOU to do for YOUR family. These are just some things I thought of, not a list of “have to do’s”)
Go to God and ask Him to make straight your path. Ask Him to show you what needs to change in your life, to close doors He doesn’t want you to walk through, and to make it clear how you can best live a life worthy of Him, so that you may lead your children to Him.
Thursday:
Today, let’s remember the last thing Jesus said as He gave The Great Commission. “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” He gave us a mom-mission, but He’s not going to leave us to do it ourselves. He sends His Holy Spirit to go with us.
Read James 1:5 and Proverbs 2:6. How might wisdom help you disciple your children? You don’t have to make a plan, have all the answers ready to go, or have some elaborate system in place before you start to disciple. You just have to allow His knowledge to guide you in your everyday mothering.
Written by Cathrine, discipling 4 children
