Attributes of a Mother
Here is a way to honor our mothers on Mother’s Day. Put the following items in small baskets or flowerpots. Before you pass them out say a few words about each article and how it applies to the mothers.
Hand cream- soft hands
A mother’s touch on the troubled brow makes things ok.
Powder- smoothness
It seems like things run smoother when mother is there.
Wash cloth- children will get dirty
They will also make mistakes that will need to be cleaned up then forgotten.
Soap- fragrance
Represents the “sweet smelling” example of a mother as she guides her home.
Pen- communications
Mother sometimes is the arbitrator between dad and junior. She is also the one who seems to keep track of everyone and lets everyone else know what is going on.
Kleenex- tears
There will be both physical and emotional tears that mothers know best how to deal with.
Flowers- bright and colorful
A mother’s ability to turn a house into a home; her ability to spread cheer and good will to those around her.
Let’s Trade!
Eve traded Eden for an apple.
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
It looked good; it sounded good.
The end- Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Esua traded his birthright for a bowl of soup.
Genesis 25:30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
The end- Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and portage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
David traded his reputation for a few minutes of pleasure.
2 Samuel 11:2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
The end- 2 Samuel 12:14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
Prodigal son traded his inheritance and high standard of living for riotous living.
Luke 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
He traded high living for low living.
The end- Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
Lot traded his morals for better land.
Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
Wanting to better ourselves is not wrong. When it hinders us spiritually then it is wrong.
The end- Genesis 19:30 And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.
Ruth traded her country for Naomi’s.
Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
The end- Ruth 4:13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.
17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Solomon traded riches for wisdom.
1 Kings 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
The end-1 Kings 3:11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
I Kings 3:12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
I Kings 3:13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
Moses traded the pleasures of sin for the reproach of Christ.
Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
The end- Deuteronomy 34:10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,
Manners
An expression of how you treat others: in your family as well as the stranger at the store.
Cut out several smiley face and several frowny faces. Provide each person with a small paper lunch bag and some of the faces.
No teams or scores for this one. As we touch on each of these drop a face into your sack; a smiley if you do ok on this point, a frowny if you could use some improvement. Feel free to write on the faces if you wish. No one will check your sack at the end to see how many frowny faces you have. Take your sacks home to use as reminders.
First, a few Scripture references that touch on manners:
1 Cor. 14:40
Titus 1:6
Titus 2:7
Golden Rule: Matt. 7:12
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Dirty hands on a towel.
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Interrupt when someone else is talking; even little brother or sister. Listen to what someone else has to say.
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Do you return things borrowed?
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Walk down the street with a pleasant expression on your face.
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Praise someone who is doing a good job.
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You have a full cart and the person behind you has just a couple of things.
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Do you rush to the checkout in front of someone else?
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Saying thank you for services rendered.
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Waste not, want not.
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A different glass each time you are thirsty.
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What do you do when you spill spaghetti at a friend’s house? Apologize to your friend’s mother and ask if you can get a rag or paper towel to clean it up.
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Putting up your feet at someone’s house.
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Littering.
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What do you do when someone drops his or her schoolwork?
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See something of interest to someone? Cut it out and send it to them.
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Don’t complain to others—they’re not interested in how awful you feel.
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Lend a helping hand even when it isn’t your responsibility.
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How is your sense of humor?
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Be nice to new-comers—at church, work, school, etc.
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Do you keep your promises?
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Be punctual.
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What about that article on the floor at the store?
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Don’t take your personal friends for granted: “He will be glad to help me, I’m his friend.”
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You get up and let an older person have your seat (or move over to make more room).
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Is there grass on your leg from mowing or mud on your shoes?
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We all say things wrong sometimes—keep the conversation going when someone else messes up.
God’s Word
This lesson could be used as a Sword Drill and object lesson combined. Have a flashlight, hammer, play sword, etc. laid out on a table and hold up each article as the verse is read.
A Light—Psa. 19:8
A Hammer—Jer. 3:29
A Sword—Eph. 6:17
Milk—1 Pet. 2:2
Food—Psa. 119:103
Seed-corn—Mark 4:14,15
A Lamp—Psa. 119:105
Why was the Bible written?
To show the divinity of Christ. Jn. 20:31
To give hope to men. Rom. 15:14
To give knowledge of eternal life. 1 Jn. 5:13
Wasn’t the Bible written by man?
2 Pet. 1:21
2 Tim. 3:16
Can we believe the Bible?
Matt. 5:18
1 Kg. 8:56
Should we study God’s Word?
Jn. 5:39
Acts 17:11
Matt. 22:29
Good motto to follow: 2 Tim. 2:15
Failures
What is something we all have but don’t like? Failures! We are human and we all make mistakes. Sometimes we fail even when we did everything right.
The leader should start out by talking about a failure or two in his or her own life. Then allow time for some of the group to talk about theirs.
Here are some Scripture references to go with the lesson. They could be used in a Sword Drill.
Psa. 78:39
Psa. 103:14
Isa. 64:6
Jer. 10:23
Rom. 7:18
1 Cor. 1:27
But remember: Jesus never fails! Matt. 19:26 Lk. 1:37
