My parents are two of the most supportive people in my life. When I told them I was moving to St. Louis for a job, they immediately helped me find a relative to live with temporarily, packed up my car, and gave me some gas money to drive all the way down. They check in on me weekly (if not daily) and have been incredibly supportive of my personal and professional endeavors.
Moms and dads everywhere try to do the absolute best for their children: providing love, food, shelter, clothing, attention, and more as they guide their children to becoming well-rounded adults. But the most important task God gives a parent is to raise a child in faith. Many biblical moms and dads had the same struggles and joys as today’s moms and dads: kids who got sick, kids who left home, kids with special talents, kids who became leaders in their town or country. Thankfully, God gives moms and dads examples of what parenting looks like throughout the Bible. What a privilege and a blessing to be raised in a Christian home!
There are many important fathers in the Bible, some that trusted God fully and others that fell short. A father’s role is to bring up his children in faith and to do so with love and patience, not with anger or provocation. Deuteronomy 6:5–7 says it this way: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Noah is one of the biblical patriarchs that really understood this verse. In a world that was so corrupted that God felt the need to wipe it out with a flood, Noah trusted God to keep him and his family safe. He loved God and taught his children about God’s saving grace through it all. Abraham trusted God so much that he was willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac.
Another great Bible verse about the role of fathers comes from Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” The Word of the Lord endures forever, especially in the heart of a child who has come to know and love Christ with the help of a wonderful father who leads by example.
The very first mother, Eve, is described as being created to be a helper to Adam, which is one major role that mothers have. Although fathers are meant to discipline children, moms are meant to nurture and care for them, while also stepping back and allowing a child to learn lessons on their own. Moms help dads to raise children in Christ while also reflecting God’s love for them in parenthood. Proverbs 31:10-31 has frequently been used as a biblical example of the role of a mother, both as a helper to the father in the household and as her own individual person.
Look at all the different mothers recounted in the Bible. Hannah waited patiently for the Lord to send her a son; Mary trusted that God would provide for her, Joseph, and baby Jesus. Many biblical mothers had the same struggles that today’s mothers do, but they show that following God’s plan for them is ultimately what’s best.
We celebrate Mother’s Day on May 10 and Father’s Day on June 21, to say thank you for everything that parents do. To celebrate with your mom or dad, download and print out these beautifully designed cards by Andrea Kilpatrick. Give them to parents, as well as aunts, uncles, or grandparents in your life to remind them that you’re thankful for them and that Christ is with them always.
Parents do a lot for their children all out of love. A parent’s love can be the first semblance of Christ’s love towards a child. Use the downloadable Mother’s Day and Father’s Day cards to show your parent or parents how much you love and appreciate all they have done for you throughout your life.
Scripture: ESV®
Print Mother’s Day and Father’s Day cards today to give to the great parents in your life.