Ep. 139 || Mothering as Service: Stewardship & Sacrifice

Oct 2

It’s easy to think of things that are more fun than doing dishes or putting shoes back where they belong. But serving in motherhood often means sacrificing what we want in order to care for those around us in service to Christ. We know we’re called to be living sacrifices, but what are we supposed to do when the “sacrifice” part is uncomfortable? In this episode, Emily and Laura examine another angle of being a living sacrifice: service. Working hard to serve others isn’t an obstacle to fun or freedom. It’s the pathway to joy in Christ.

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If you’re reading Risen Motherhood while listening to the show this week, check out chapter fourteen: The Gospel and Our Service.

Mentioned on the Show:

Risen Motherhood (the book!)
Ep. 37, Working Hard at Home: Emily’s Story
The Heidelberg Catechism Question:
- Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
- A. That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. (Prov. 13:4)
Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:6-8)
Let us not grow weary in doing good for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:9)

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R|M Apply Questions:

Let’s take a personal service inventory. What were you like before motherhood? And since? What can you praise God for and what areas do you still need to grow in?
Sometimes serving feels like an obstacle to fun and excitement. What types of service or situations are difficult for you? What is a gospel response to those moments?
Christ the ultimate example of sacrificial service bringing true joy to others. How did he serve? What did his obedience to God look like? How is his example an encouragement to you for those tough moments from question two?
When we serve, it doesn’t just affect the recipient! Our service can be an encouragement and helpful challenge to believers around us. What examples of service have you seen that spurred you on? (Consider telling that friend this week!)
God will give the grace and strength we need when we feel stretched thin, bored, and overwhelmed. What are some practical things you can do to ensure you’re able to see needs and meet the ones God has placed before you? How can you trust him with your efforts?

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