Spiritual Mothering / Spiritual Sistering

In Titus 2 we find a mandate for spiritual mothering. The mature Christian women are to train the younger, inexperienced women. Author Susan Hunt describes spiritual mothering as this, "when a woman possessing faith and spiritual maturity enters into a relationship with a younger woman in order to encourage and equip her to live for God's glory".

Titus 2:3-5 "The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."

Have you ever read this passage only to lament that no such woman could be found? Do you ever look back on your life thinking "if only I had someone like that to mother me"? Our generation of women is unfortunate indeed, because few of us have benefitted from this type of spiritual mothering.

I do believe that something of a revival is taking place however. Women are realizing the importance of spiritual mothering are actively seeking out older women. Young women are discipling each other and they in turn are teaching even younger women. If Christian women begin to fathom the power of our God-given capacity, develop these God-honoring characteristics, and nurture younger women, perhaps we will see the fruit of righteousness flourish in the women of our decade. If the world does ever see a time when Christian women come together purely and simply to encourage and equip other women to live for God's glory, it will be a power such as the world has never seen.

For most of you, spiritual mothering begins at home - with your own daughter. Who better to begin a lifetime of spiritual mothering, than to your own dear daughter(s)? Yes, we are starting to see revival in our generation, but we must train our daughters now to see the continued fruits of that labor. We must bring the eyes of our daughters home and train them to love their husbands and their children, to be pure, to be busy at home. In this way the Word of God will remain true and pure in the eyes of those around us. The world does not provide our daughters with good examples, and the entertaiment industry abounds with a less than wholesome ideal. Do not hestitate to be conservative and to use God's Word as the basis for your parenting. We are to be holy, even as He is holy. To be holy means to be set apart, different. Is there a difference between your home and the world?

I was once involved in a wonderful homeschool group that effectively practiced "spiritual sistering". We were a small, close-knit group of varying ages and from various backgrounds. But we were all homeschooling our children and we all had a common desire to grow spiritually. We were able to facilitate each other's spiritual growth and encourage each other in the pursuit of godly womanhood. We discussed Scripture and it's importance to our everyday lives. Many "hot topics" were discussed - entertainment, purity, and family planning. We shared resouces with each other. We helped each other through the painful moments and rejoiced together through the happy ones. We prepared meals for those who needed them and kept a prayer chain going. Though there were differences in opinion, we were respectful of each other and kept the Bible as the final Word.

If you have several such friends, I strongly encourage you to become "spiritual sisters". You don't even have to be geographically close. E-mail can be a wonderful assest to bring friends together even when they live hundreds or thousands of miles apart. Do not take a "holier than thou" attitude when you disagree. Do what Jesus would do. If you have a question, take it to the Scriptures. Read books and discuss them together. Find ways to challenge and encourage each other in your pursuit of godly womanhood.

May God bless you as you seek to be more like Him!