Mothers Day 2025
A Mother's Love: Reflecting God's Own Heart
Small Group Discussion Guide
Opening Prayer:
"Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts for the gift of mothers and the love they embody. As we gather to discuss and reflect upon the parallels between a mother’s love and Your divine love, we ask for Your presence among us. May our conversations be enriching and filled with Your wisdom. Amen."
Scripture Readings:
1. Isaiah 66:13 - "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”
2. Philippians 2:4 - "Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
3. Proverbs 1:8-9 - "Hear, my son, your father’s instruction And do not forsake your mother’s teaching; Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head And ornaments about your neck."
4. Ephesians 6:10 - "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."
Discussion Topics and Related Questions:
Topic 1: The Comforting Nature of a Mother’s Love
- How does a mother's way of comforting reflect God's comfort?
- In what ways have you experienced God's comfort in your own life?
Topic 2: Selflessness in Parenting
- Discuss the importance of putting family needs above personal interests.
- Can you share a time when you saw or demonstrated this selflessness?
Topic 3: Parental Guidance and God’s Teachings
- How does maternal guidance serve as an example for children to follow?
- What teachings have stayed with you from your childhood?
Topic 4: Balancing Intervention and Autonomy
- Were there times you felt unsure about how to help your children, or witnessed someone who did?
- How do you discern when to intervene and when to allow children the space to find their own way?
Topic 5: Seeking God's Comfort
- What would you say to a mother needing comfort from God?
- How does relying on God’s strength make you feel more equipped to handle challenges?
Follow-Up Exercise:
Encourage participants to perform a reflective journal exercise during the week: Write about a challenging situation where they felt comforted by someone in their life. Then, write a prayer or letter to God asking for His guidance and comfort in a current situation they are facing.
Closing Prayer:
"Lord, thank You for this time of fellowship and discussion. We are grateful for the insights shared and the love and support of this group. As we leave, may we carry with us the understanding and appreciation of both earthly and divine love. Help us to apply these lessons in our daily lives, bringing comfort to others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen."
For Further Study:
During the question and answer session with Pastor Tim and Mrs. Katina Bland, Mrs. Bland shared scripture readings that brought comfort to her and guided her through the tragedy of losing her husband and her continuing journey of raising her children. Here are those scripture verses. As you study these passages and journal about the significant truths they contain, consider and reflect on the impact they can have on your life and current circumstances.
Katina's Go-To Scriptures For Comfort and Guidance:
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.”
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NLT
“I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.”
2 Corinthians 7:8-11 NLT
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT
“At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.”
Job 6:10 NLT
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
Philippians 2:1-5 NLT
“How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.”
Psalms 13:2-3, 5-6 NLT
“A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.”
Ecclesiastes 3:4 NLT
“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
“Indeed, how can people avoid what they don’t know is going to happen? None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue the wicked.”
Ecclesiastes 8:7-8 NLT
“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT
“So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 6:18-20 NLT
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”
Romans 5:3-6 NLT
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NLT
Small Group Discussion Guide
Opening Prayer:
"Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts for the gift of mothers and the love they embody. As we gather to discuss and reflect upon the parallels between a mother’s love and Your divine love, we ask for Your presence among us. May our conversations be enriching and filled with Your wisdom. Amen."
Scripture Readings:
1. Isaiah 66:13 - "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”
2. Philippians 2:4 - "Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
3. Proverbs 1:8-9 - "Hear, my son, your father’s instruction And do not forsake your mother’s teaching; Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head And ornaments about your neck."
4. Ephesians 6:10 - "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."
Discussion Topics and Related Questions:
Topic 1: The Comforting Nature of a Mother’s Love
- How does a mother's way of comforting reflect God's comfort?
- In what ways have you experienced God's comfort in your own life?
Topic 2: Selflessness in Parenting
- Discuss the importance of putting family needs above personal interests.
- Can you share a time when you saw or demonstrated this selflessness?
Topic 3: Parental Guidance and God’s Teachings
- How does maternal guidance serve as an example for children to follow?
- What teachings have stayed with you from your childhood?
Topic 4: Balancing Intervention and Autonomy
- Were there times you felt unsure about how to help your children, or witnessed someone who did?
- How do you discern when to intervene and when to allow children the space to find their own way?
Topic 5: Seeking God's Comfort
- What would you say to a mother needing comfort from God?
- How does relying on God’s strength make you feel more equipped to handle challenges?
Follow-Up Exercise:
Encourage participants to perform a reflective journal exercise during the week: Write about a challenging situation where they felt comforted by someone in their life. Then, write a prayer or letter to God asking for His guidance and comfort in a current situation they are facing.
Closing Prayer:
"Lord, thank You for this time of fellowship and discussion. We are grateful for the insights shared and the love and support of this group. As we leave, may we carry with us the understanding and appreciation of both earthly and divine love. Help us to apply these lessons in our daily lives, bringing comfort to others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen."
For Further Study:
During the question and answer session with Pastor Tim and Mrs. Katina Bland, Mrs. Bland shared scripture readings that brought comfort to her and guided her through the tragedy of losing her husband and her continuing journey of raising her children. Here are those scripture verses. As you study these passages and journal about the significant truths they contain, consider and reflect on the impact they can have on your life and current circumstances.
Katina's Go-To Scriptures For Comfort and Guidance:
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.”
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NLT
“I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.”
2 Corinthians 7:8-11 NLT
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT
“At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.”
Job 6:10 NLT
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
Philippians 2:1-5 NLT
“How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.”
Psalms 13:2-3, 5-6 NLT
“A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.”
Ecclesiastes 3:4 NLT
“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
“Indeed, how can people avoid what they don’t know is going to happen? None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue the wicked.”
Ecclesiastes 8:7-8 NLT
“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT
“So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 6:18-20 NLT
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”
Romans 5:3-6 NLT
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NLT
Posted in Faith, Jesus, Sermon, mother\'s love, sorrow, comfort
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