1. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. Motherhood: A Blessing or a Curse? Selected Scriptures

3. The Curse Feminism
Society used to esteem the homemaker and mom
Society now looks down on a homemaker and may even disdain her
Feminism has saddled women with the idea that success in life requires a career outside the home

4. The Curse Feminism
The result is a pressure to be a superwoman who can do it all
This pressure on women delays marriage and having children and extends selfishness

5. The Curse of Humanistic Parenting Philosophies
Ungodly philosophies result in homes that reject Biblical discipline & center on the felt needs of the children
A mixture of negative and positive stories and comments are given to those having their first child

6. The Curse of Humanistic Parenting Philosophies
A second child shifts comments to the negative
Additional children results in people questioning your sanity
Negative comments are also commonly made about parenting teenagers

7. The Curse of Humanistic Parenting Philosophies
Did you know?
Most babies can sleep through the night by the eighth week
The two year olds are terrific
Teen rebellion is cultural

8. Children are a Blessing Psalm 127:3
The importance of a mother’s influence - 1 & 2 Kings
A parent’s glory or shame will be their children - Proverbs 10:1; 17:25; 29:15
Parents are resistant to taking responsibility for their children due to the Genesis 3 syndrome
Blame someone else

9. Children are a Blessing Psalm 127:3
Whether children are a blessing or curse depends a lot on the parent’s view of life and what they do
Children can and should be a great blessing, but they are still a lot of work and you will get hurt

10. God’s Design for Mothers Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and might - Deuteronomy 6:4- 5, Matthew 22:37-38
God’s word must be on your heart - Deuteronomy 6:6, Psalm 119
You must diligently teach your children to know and love God in every situation of life - Deuteronomy 6:7

11. God’s Design for Mothers Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Children imitate and learn more by your example than your words -
You will raise your children according to your own view of God and life - what are you teaching them?

12. Help From the Lord
Jesus is with and the Holy Spirit indwells the believer (Matt. 28:20; Romans 8:11)
God is at work in the believer (Phil. 1:6; 2:20)
Walk by faith & He strengthens you (Eph. 3:16; Phil. 4:13)

13. Help From the Lord
God has given us His word - though which His divine power changes us (2 Peter 1:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)
God places you in His church & each person helps bring maturity to the whole body (Eph. 4; 1 Cor 12-14)

14. Help From the Lord
You become a Christian by repenting of your sin & placing your faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ
Following the Bible & getting godly counsel bring blessings to both Christian and non-Christian
Godliness is a matter of trusting God’s ability to work through you as you follow Him

15. Help From the Lord
Godly parenting is a matter of obeying God and trusting Him for the results (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; Proverbs)
If you are not diligently following God in raising your children, then the pressures of society will mold them

16. Prospects for the Future
No parent wants to be embarrassed by their children - but they arrive as sinners, not saints
Even the wisest parent fails at times - but wise parents humbly seeks out the insights & help of godly people

17. Prospects for the Future
Despite their children’s misbehavior, foolish parents remain proud and become defensive - or even offensive
In the body of Christ, we are to be used of the Lord in the lives of one another

18. Prospects for the Future
There is hope for those whose sons or daughters have walked away even to the point of estrangement

19. Prospects for the Future
Follow the Beatitudes:
Humility, mourning
Meekness
Righteousness
Mercy
Purity of heart
Peacemaking

20. Prospects for the Future
Diligently pray for the Holy Spirit to do His work in your children - and patiently wait in God’s peace

21. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ