Families
Week 96
The importance of mothers to the family
The complete family unit is found only among human beings. Very few animals have strong parent/child or male/female relationships, but none have the complete family unit for life that man has. Some animals have strong social relationships, mostly based on instincts and hierarchy.
Genesis 1:28 says, “And God blessed them; and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth…” The family unit with father, mother, and children was instituted by God. Since this thought is under severe attack in our society, we felt we must address the truth of families with the youngest among us. This will instill the simple truth into them so that as they grow, they can remain firm in this truth.
Note to the serving ones: While we faithfully present God’s view of a family, we recognize that some of our children’s families may not relate to what is being presented in these topics due to different types of situations. (For example, there may be children whose parents have passed away, children whose parents are not involved in the family/church life, children who are adopted, children who were raised by step-parents/grandparents, etc.) The serving ones need to be careful/sensitive in how they address these matters so that the children don’t come away from the story feeling bad because they may not have a mom and a dad to do the things that we are presenting. We don’t want them to feel like their families aren’t “real” families, but rather, we want to give them an appreciation for the complete family unit from God’s view. In your time with the children, please be sensitive to their personal circumstances. Be careful that no child feels that his or her family is wrong or worse than the others.
Point to emphasize
All that a mom is and does is important to the family.
Verse
But we were gentle in your midst, as a nursing mother would cherish her own children. (1 Thessalonians 2:7)
Sample content and conversation with children:
- Last time we talked about how important fathers are in families. Today, we will talk about mothers! Our moms do so many things! Let’s see some of the things our moms do.
- [Show picture #1.] What do you see in this picture? [Let the children answer.] Yes! This is a mom giving her son breakfast. It’s so good that our moms cook meals for us. What is your favorite meal your mom prepares for you? [Let the children answer.]
- [Show the picture #2.] What is happening in this picture? What is the mom doing in this picture? [Let the children answer.] Yes! She is tucking her daughter in bed. What does your mom do when she tucks you in bed? [Let the children answer.] Now, let’s look at this other picture. [Show picture #3.] Could this friendly nurse tuck you in bed like your momma does? [Let the children answer.] Would you feel the same way if a nurse tucks you in, like when your mom tucks you in? [Let the children answer.] No! Of course not! Why not? The nurse wouldn’t love you, care for you, the same way your mom does! It could never be the same!
- [Show picture #4.] Now, who do you see in this picture? A mom is putting a band-aid on her daughter’s foot. What does your mom do when you get hurt? [Let the children answer.] I am sure that every time you get hurt, you all feel so much better because your moms take such good care of you. Now, let’s look at this other picture. [Show picture #5.] Could this friendly nurse put on a Band-Aid like your momma does? [Let the children answer.] No! Of course not! Why not? The nurse wouldn’t love you, care for you, the same way your mom does! It could never be the same!
- [Show pictures #6 and #7.] What about these moms? They’re snuggling with their babies! Do you like snuggling with your mom? Mom’s hugs are the best!
- What other things does your mom do at home? [Let the children answer. You may show picture #8 to help children discover for themselves all the things moms do. For example–read with them, clean the house, cook, check your temperature, go to work, etc.] Wow! Our mothers do sooo much at home– they cook, they clean, and much more! They hug us, teach us, and care for us… All that a mom is and does is important to the family. I am so happy that God gave me a wonderful mom. Let’s all thank God for our moms together. Thank you, God, for my mom!
- Do all animals have moms that do all the things that our moms do? No!! Not one! [Show picture #9.] This is a cuckoo bird. Cuckoo bird females lay their eggs in OTHER birds’ nests. The cuckoo birds do not raise their young and have other birds do it for them. Incredible! [Show picture #10.] Look at these two birds. What is happening in this picture? [Let the children answer.] One bird is feeding the other bird. Are these two birds cuckoo birds? [Let the children answer.] No! These are two different birds. The HUGE bird with its mouth open waiting for food is a baby cuckoo. The smaller bird that is feeding the cuckoo bird is not a cuckoo bird. The cuckoo bird tricks other birds into feeding their young. I am so glad that God gave us moms who care for us in so many ways, every single day! Let’s all thank God for our moms together. Thank you, God, for my mom!
[Storyteller, if your children are engaged, you can continue the conversation with the following point:]
- Now look at these pictures. [Show picture 11.] Can you figure out what these moms are doing? They are helping their husbands to have everything ready to have people over for dinner! This is another important thing a mother does for her family!
- All that a mom is and does is important to the family. I am so happy that God gave me a wonderful mom. Let’s all thank God for our moms together. Thank you, God, for my mom!
Suggested song
I love my mom and dad
Suggested activities
An activity for the children to do. Not linked to something for mom.
Pictures
#1: Mom giving her son breakfast
#2: Mom tucking daughter in bed
#3: A nurse tucking in a child in bed
#4: A mom putting a band-aid on her daughter’s foot
#5: A nurse putting on a band-aid on a girl
#6: Mom snuggling with her babies
#7: Mom carrying her baby
#8: Collage of mothers doing different things
#9: A cuckoo bird
#10 A bird feeding another bird
#11: Mom helping her husband to have everything ready to have people over
