I. The honor of motherhood

A. Giving it (Prov. 23:22)

B. Receiving it (Prov. 23:24-25)

II. The nurturing nature of motherhood (Prov. 29:15b, 17)

A. Loving (I Thess. 2:7-9)

B. Guiding

1. By example (I Thess. 2:10)

2. By exhortation (I Thess. 2:11-12)

C. Releasing (Gen. 2:24)

III. "Adoptive" motherhood

A. Some models

1. The mother of Jesus (Jn. 19:25-27)

2. The mother of Rufus (Rom. 16:13; cf. Mk. 15:21)

3. Paul's model of motherhood (I Thess. 2:7-12)

B. The Method: Reaching out in love