The Great Mothers in the Bible

Throughout the Bible, many notable men and women remained true in their commitment and faith in God no matter their circumstances. But the following individuals are some of the great mothers in the Bible who became iconic not just in their faith in God but also in how they influenced the people in their time. These people will inspire you as you gather ideas for creating Mother’s Day sermons.

 

Hannah, Mother of Samuel

14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” 15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” 17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”

 21 When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfill his vow, 22 Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always.”

If we read this short passage found in the book of 1 Samuel chapter 1, we can see that Hannah was a woman who suffered through the hardship of barrenness. But when God heard her prayers, she was a woman who never withheld his son from serving God. She was a mother who did not think twice about dedicating his son to the Lord. 

Hannah’s decision and faith in God are why we have her as an example to all the mothers in the world. So, like Hannah, we should appreciate our mothers who dedicated us to the Lord. On the other hand, this inspires mothers worldwide to dedicate their children to Him, who knows all and owns all. 

 

Lois and Eunice, Grandmother and Mother of Timothy

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Lois and Eunice are the best examples of mothers who have influential faith. Rearing children was difficult, and teaching them to follow Christ and do the work of His ministry was a lot harder. But these women had back-to-back raised a faithful young leader who influenced many in his time, even up to the present.

They inspired young Timothy to start serving the Lord at a young age to the point that Paul acknowledged them both in the book of 2 Timothy chapter 1. This inspiration of unwavering faith flowed down from Lois to Eunice and Timothy. 

Their lives are reminders of what our Godly mothers do –– to do their best to teach us God’s ways and lead us to the path of the ministry. Likewise, our mothers inspire us to never give up on teaching and encouraging their children to love and serve God. 

 

Jochebed, Mother of Moses (Exo.6:20; Exo.2:1-10)

20 Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, who bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years.

1 Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket[a] for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.

Although she wasn’t mentioned as often in the bible, Jochebed was one of the mothers who would go to lengths to save her son. During her time, the Pharaoh issued a decree to kill all Israelite babies, and without her and God’s intervention, Moses would have died. And if their plans didn’t work, she would also have suffered great consequences. 

This amazing story of a mother putting her baby in a basket shows how deep and sacrificial a mother’s love is. She would do anything to save her baby and let him live an awesome life. For us, Jochebed’s story reminds us how our mothers have sacrificed to make us the better person we are today. 

We may not know all of their hidden tears and scars, we may not know their full story, but still, let’s take time to appreciate them on their special day today. The fact that they have sacrificed nine months of their lives to nurture us and the succeeding years in rearing us is enough to make them feel special today. 

 

Naomi mother-in-law of Ruth (Ruth 3:1)

“One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home[a] for you, where you will be well provided for.”

Naomi parades a mother’s dedication to guiding children, especially during desperate times. As a young widow, Ruth needs a dedicated mother-in-law like Naomi to assist her in recovering her life again. A mother’s gentle hand and love make unexpected challenges easier to surmount, bringing out the right responses from children. 

What makes things more amazing here is that it shows that motherhood is beyond blood ties. Her story encourages those adoptive mothers who, despite not being bound by blood, can show motherly affection for their children. Many mothers out there couldn’t give birth to their own but show compassion incomparable to some. 

Today, Naomi’s life should remind us of our mother’s dedication to lifting us in unfavorable times. Likewise, it reminds mothers to never give up on their children. If it feels like hope is lost, for now, your children will be able to rise above their circumstances with your guidance and support. 

 

Mother’s Day Sermon Ideas with Bible Passages

The long read is over. Here are some of the best Mother’s Day sermon ideas you can use in your ministry.

 

Mothers are God’s Channels for Their Children’s Destiny

Ruth 3:1 One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for.

This specific verse tells us that the role of mothers is to become channels of God’s will for their children. Like Naomi, a mother should always prepare for their children’s well-being. And not just for the child’s well-being but also for the child’s service to God.

With this, mothers are destined to help their children become the people God designed them to be. And to help them in any circumstance they will encounter in their lives.

 

Mothers Should Develop Strength, Dignity, and Integrity as Primary Qualities

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.

27 She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.

28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:

29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. 31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

This passage teaches us the three qualities a mother should develop: Strength, Dignity, and Integrity. These qualities will make mothers become better people, not just for their husbands but for the entire family.

Aside from that, developing these qualities will make Godly mothers stand out from other capable women. Making them great examples of how a mother should be as defined by God in the Bible.

 

Mothers are Authenticated by Being Selfless

1 Kings 3:23-27
23 The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’”

24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. 25 He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and a half to the other.” 26 The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!” 

27 Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.”

This passage gives us examples of two different women. The first is a selfless mother willing to give her child to another woman to keep the child alive. The second is a selfish woman who prefers to have the child cut in half than let the first woman have him. With this, we can see that the king favored the selfless woman over the other. And this selflessness made the first woman a mother of the spared child. 

Likewise, capable women are considered mothers when they consider their families first over anything. This kind of selflessness is not an act of negligence towards oneself. But a product of love towards their own family.

 

Mothers are the Epitome of Efficacious Affection

John 19:25-27
25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

In this passage, we can read how Jesus addressed His mother’s needs. It is to have someone look out for her while Jesus returns to the Father in heaven. But this move of Jesus is caused by His mother’s love for Him. Mary gave birth to Him, cared for Him, and helped Him raise. And because of Jesus’ death on the cross, Mary was silently suffering a broken heart –– like being pierced with a sword (Luke 2:34,35)

Because of Mary’s love for His Son, Jesus answered her needs by giving His disciples to become his son. Likewise, a mother’s emotions can bring the best out of their children. With genuine love and care, mothers are considered the epitome of efficacious affection.

 

Mothers are Powerful Intercessors

2 Kings 4:30-35

But the child’s mother said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So Gehazi went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”

32 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. 33 He went in, shut the door on the two of them, and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. 35 Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.

This text shows us that a desperate mother’s prayer will allow us to experience breakthroughs and miracles in life. In this story, a Shunamite woman who was generous to Elisha conceived a child in her old age. But the boy fell ill and died. The woman did not lose faith and sought Elisha. Her relentlessness, faith, and intercession brought the boy back to life. 

We can never underestimate the power of a mother’s intercession because, as this passage proves, it can even bring a dead boy back to life. Their prayers cast favor upon their children and family. With this in mind, we can see the manifestation of God’s power and miracles through the powerful intercessions of mothers.