9 Reasons to Take Your Mother to Church

By Pastor Tom Anderson

This Sunday is Mother’s Day. The best way to show love to your mother is to take her to church. Here’s why from the Scriptures:

1. Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. “The Apostle Paul observed that this is the first commandment of the Ten that has a promise attached to it: that your days may be long. Honoring your mother brings great national and social benefits. It’s not just about you, it’s about strengthening families and blessing neighborhoods by publicly demonstrating faithful love.

2. Leviticus 19:3 “Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbath...” This verse is a summary of the commandments and puts the two together: honoring mother and going to church. If you need a sign from God to take your mother to church, is this not it?

3. Job 1:21 “And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’” Some of us have run out of time to take our mothers to church and we can tell you: don’t procrastinate anymore! Don’t throw away any opportunity to bless your mom—life is too short. Don’t let your excellent excuses become pointed regrets later on.

4. Psalm 139:13 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.” Maybe you are an expert on your mother’s deficiencies but give her this: you were made in her womb. If it wasn’t for her, you wouldn’t exist. God used your mother to make you. Gratitude and honor are due to both God and your mom. Show it by taking her to church.

5. Proverbs 1:8 “Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching,” Admit it—you’ve often tried to do things your own way only to discover your mom was right. Many of us only come to recognize mom’s wisdom when we have children of our own. Did she not teach you to go to church when you were young? Maybe you stopped a long time ago. This weekend would be the Sunday to thank her for her wisdom on worship by going with her.

6. Isaiah 66:13 “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” Remember how she comforted you when you awoke with a nightmare? Remember how she cared for you when you got sick? Remember how she held you when some kids at school rejected you? Now it’s your turn—give her the comfort of accompanying her to church this Sunday.

7. Matthew 27:56 “…among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.” This verse is a partial list of the women who went to the tomb of Jesus on Easter Sunday morning. You’ll note that two of them were mothers. Mothers were some of the first people to see the Risen Christ. Jesus appeared to them, so why can’t you appear to your mom this Sunday and take her to church?

8. Luke 2:51 “And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.” Jesus was submissive to his own mother, Mary. So, who do you think you are neglecting your own mother? Your mother wants to go to church with you. You should take her!

9. Romans 16:13 “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.” This is Paul’s own writing. He shows us that if you don’t have a mother, you can actually borrow one! Look around the church. Look around your neighborhood. There’s got to be someone who would be thrilled to have you as an adopted child. Ask her today to come to church with you this Sunday. You just might make a friend for life.