Table of Contents
- Why is it important as a Christian Family?
- How does the Bible Describe a Good mother?
- What are examples of good moms in the Bible?
- What is the best Bible verse for mothers?
- Characteristics of a Good Mother in the Bible
- 1. A good mother is committed to a relationship with God
- 2. A good mother is full of love for God and love for others
- 3. A good mother trust God
- 4. A good mother is joyful no matter her circumstances
- 5. A good mother has peace of mind
- 6. A good mother has a pure heart
- 7. A good mother is patient with others
- 8. A good mother is always kind
- 9. A good mother faithfully serves God and others
- 10. A good mother leads by example
- 11. A good mother is gentle in her actions
- 12. A good mother builds up others with her words
- 13. A good mother is determined to follow God’s will
- 14. A good mother is obedient to God’s Word
- 15. A good mother leans on God for strength
- 16. A good mother has integrity
- 17. A good mother is a woman who prays
- 18. A good mother is humble
- 19. A good mother is a wise steward of her resources and time
- 20. A good mother teaches her children about God
- 21. A good mother quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness
- 22. A good mother has an attitude of gratitude
- What should I do with this list of Characteristics of a good mother in the Bible?
Being a mother has been one of the most beautifully, difficult journeys of my life. I love it, but it can be draining and joyful all at once. Throughout each day, God has certainly used the good times and the hard times to refine my character and heart. Today on the blog, I am sharing 22 characteristics of a good mother in the bible.
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Why is it important as a Christian Family?
During my decade-long time serving as a Pastor, I realized that a mom has the power to set the tone for their household.
It does not matter if you are a working mom or stay at home mom, that truth is still the same.
A Christian mother who is setting the tone through a heart centered on Christ, a willingness to be shaped by God, and a character that reflects Biblical principles will most certainly have a home that produces “fruit.”
The Bible says this in Isaiah 64:8, “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
This verse is a reminder that if we surrender our life into God’s hand, He will mold and shape our heart, our thoughts, and our character into something beautiful that reflects Him to everyone we encounter.
As a Christian mom, it is important to surrender your heart and mind to God and let the potter shape your character into a godly character because it affects our walk with Christ which in turn affects the tone of our household (and really ALL areas of our life lol.)
How does the Bible Describe a Good mother?
The best passage of Scripture that describes a good mother and wife is Proverbs 31.
When I was a senior in high school, a mentor and I walked through a Bible study on the Proverbs 31 woman.
My biggest takeaway from this passage is that with a heart surrender to God and dedicated to serving God, we can work towards having a character the mirrors a Proverbs 31 woman.
I think it is important to remember that not all of the tasks and jobs that this woman did in this passage apply today, but the character that she exudes does.
Her characteristics of a good mother in the bible are clearly seen as you read these verses. Her character was prudent, thrifty, graceful, wise, joyful, fearless, compassionate, strong and so much more
My favorite two verses in this passage are Proverbs 31:28-29:
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
In my personal opinion, to have your husband and children say this about her meant that this mother’s character must have been a beautiful one that was pleasing to God.
What are examples of good moms in the Bible?
There are several godly mothers mentioned in the Bible. Just like mom’s today, some moms in the Bible made wise choices and followed the Lord and some did not.
Characteristics of a good mother in the bible are many, and we can read about a few examples of good moms in the Bible with beautiful characters. Here are a few of my favorites.
Jochebed: Ex 2:1-10
When the Israelites became too powerful and numerous while living in Egypt, the Pharaoh ordered that all Israelite baby boys be killed.
Jochebed was an Israelite mother who had a plan to save her newborn son, and the plan was to put him in a basket on the Nile river.
Her plan to save his life worked, and her newborn son grew up to be Moses.
Not much is known about Jochebed, but we can tell that she had a character of strength and determination. She put her faith in God to save her son, and I have to believe that God was the one who planted that plan into Jochebed’s mind.
Hannah: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:21
After being unable to conceive for many years, Hannah found herself turning to God in faith instead of turning away from God. God did eventually bless her with a son who grew up to be the Prophet Samuel.
Through her story, you can tell that her character is one of deep faith and integrity.
Naomi: Book of Ruth
I include Naomi in this list even though most of her story is about her being a mother-in-law.
As you read her story in the book of Ruth, you can tell that Naomi must have been an amazing mother-in-law for her daughter-in-laws. Ruth and Orpah clearly loved her, and Ruth even decided to leave her own people and religion to follow Naomi back to Bethlehem. Ruth did not have to do that, but she did.
As you continue to read the story of Ruth, you learn that Naomi’s character is filled with wisdom and faithfulness, and she deeply cared for her daughter-in-law.
My prayer is that one day I can be a mother-in-law like Naomi to my children’s spouses.
Mary: Luke 1:26-56
Mary is the mother of Jesus, and the Bible tells us that she found favor with God. I cannot imagine the ridicule and shaming she endured because of her pregnancy out of wedlock, but we can read about Mary singing praises to God even though things around her probably weren’t going so well.
Mary’s character is one of obedience and complete surrender to God. She literally placed her life and future in God’s hands.
Lois and Eunice: 2 Timothy 1:3-5
Not much is known about Lois and Eunice, but we do know they were women and mothers of great faith. Lois was the grandmother of Timothy and Eunice was the mother of Timothy. These few verses clearly show how these two women passed their great faith onto their children.
These two women’s character is one of rock solid faith.
What is the best Bible verse for mothers?
I think there are two amazing Bible verses for mother’s to help them remember what is important: to love God and love others.
Here are two of the best Bible verses for mothers in regards to how to grow your characteristics of a good mother in the Bible.
Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
The characteristics of a good mother in the Bible is rooted in a deep, unswerving love for God. Out of our love for God, we can grow in our character and love others in our lives better and better.
The best ways to grow in your love for God is to study the Bible, spend time in prayer and surround yourself with the church body.
Related content: The SOAP Bible Study Method for Kids and Parents
Characteristics of a Good Mother in the Bible
There are way more than 22 Characteristics of a Good Mother in the Bible, but below you can read the top 22 characteristics of a good mother with a Bible verse to go along with the characteristics.
1. A good mother is committed to a relationship with God
Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
A God-fearing mom has a character built on a deep and meaningful relationship with God. She daily seeks for God, intentionally spends time in God’s Word and diligently works at her relationship with the Creator.
2. A good mother is full of love for God and love for others
Matthew 22:37-39 says, “Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
A Christian mom is fully in love with God, and out of her love for God, she is able to pour out love for others. Her heart is captivated by God, and her mind is focused on God. With a heart and mind on God, she is able to deeply love her family and others with her words and actions.
3. A good mother trust God
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
A godly mom puts her trust in God during all circumstances. Through the trials of big life events like potty training and drivers permit tests and of small everyday moments like meal prepping and diaper changing, a good mother stands on the truth that she can and does trust God. She relies on him to guide her through every part of her day.
4. A good mother is joyful no matter her circumstances
Habakkuk 3:17-18 says, “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”
For a godly Christian mom, joy is not the absence of sadness or difficult circumstances, but joy is also not the same as happiness. Joy is a calm delight no matter what a good mom faces, and it is a gift from God each day. She searches for that calm delight known as joy, and she dwells in that joy instead of focusing on her situations that seem difficult.
5. A good mother has peace of mind
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
A Christ loving mom intentionally guards her mind and actively takes captive every thought that is not obedient to Christ. Instead of focusing on the fears and anxieties of her life, she brings every situation to God in prayer. Because she brings her requests to Him, God gives her His peace which defies her circumstances, calms her mind and guards her heart.
6. A good mother has a pure heart
Psalms 24:4-5 says, “The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.”
Psalms 51:10 says, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
A good Christian mother knows that asking God to create in her a desire for a pure heart is so important because out of the heart flows the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23). Every day, she asks God to create a pure heart within her, and she daily lays down her own heart’s desires to follow the will of God.
7. A good mother is patient with others
Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
A mother of godly character is patient. She is patient when it is a good day and when it isn’t a good day. She is patient when she is tired, overwhelmed, and overburdened. She turns to God whenever she feels like she is about to lose her patience, and from the strength she finds in God, she clothes herself with loving kindness and patience for her children, husband and those in her life.
8. A good mother is always kind
Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
A God-fearing mom is always filled with kindness and compassion. When her toddler scrapes a knee, her five year old needs some positive discipline, or her tween’s feelings are hurt, her reaction always flows out of kindness and love.
9. A good mother faithfully serves God and others
Galatians 6:9-10 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
A good mom who loves God faithfully serves Him and others everyday. She does not complain about putting others before herself because she knows that God has given her the tasks at hand. Those tasks are a blessing, and she believes that God has given her the strength she needs to continue to serve even when she feels empty. God will sustain her as she leans on Him while serving.
10. A good mother leads by example
1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
A godly moms has been blessed with a beautiful job of showing her children what it looks like to whole-heartedly follow God. She shows her kids what it looks like to read the Bible, to study God’s Word, to worship God with her life, to love God and to love others. She leads by example and points them in the ways they should go. Hopefully, her love for God will be caught by her children, and through her example, they will desire a deep and meaningful relationship with God.
11. A good mother is gentle in her actions
Ephesians 4:1-2 says, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
A Christian mother is gentle in her words and actions even in the midst of the most difficult days. Since she is rooted in Christ, she can live a life worthy of her calling, and she can bear with her children, husband and others with gentle love that comforts and heals.
12. A good mother builds up others with her words
Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
A godly mom has her heart set on God. Out of the outflow of her heart comes her thoughts, and from her thoughts comes her words and actions. Because her heart is on Christ Jesus, she has words that are slow to anger and helpful for building up those in her home. This tamed tongue is pivotal in creating a Christ-centered home where her children feel safe, loved and blessed.
13. A good mother is determined to follow God’s will
Matthew 16:24 says, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’”
A good mom knows that God’s ways are better than her ways, and she decides each day to surrender her ways and desires to follow God’s will for her life.
14. A good mother is obedient to God’s Word
1 John 5:3 says, “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,”
A Christian mother loves God’s Word, and she hides His Word in her heart. She reads, studies and memorizes scripture, and she obeys the commands in the Bible out of her deep love for her Creator.
Related Content: SOAP Bible Study Method for Kids and Parents
15. A good mother leans on God for strength
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Psalms 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
A mother of godly character renews her strength by turning to God. Through the strength that God gives her, she will not grow weary or faint during the trying days, and she will run towards God day after day to grow in her relationship with her Savior.
16. A good mother has integrity
Proverbs 10:9 says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
A God-fearing mother does what she says she is going to do because she is a woman of integrity. Her children and husband know that her words can be trusted, and since she builds her life on Jesus Christ, He makes her life’s foundation firm.
17. A good mother is a woman who prays
Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Colossians 4:2 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Psalms 32:6 says, “Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.”
A godly mother knows that prayer is not her last defense because it is her best defense. She is a prayer warrior, and she knows that God can move mountains because of her prayers. She is continually on her knees devoting herself to praying for her children, for her husband, and for every person or circumstance that needs to be covered in prayer.
Related content: Parents Prayer for Children: Why and How to Pray for Your Kids
18. A good mother is humble
James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
A Christian mother is humble because she knows that God is higher than she is. She is strong, bold and brave, but she ultimately knows that God is number one in her life. She puts Him and her relationship with Him first.
19. A good mother is a wise steward of her resources and time
1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”
A God-fearing mom is the Proverbs 31 woman. She uses the gifts, resources and time God has given her to honor Him. She works hard at the tasks at hand, and when she changes a diaper, soothes a scared child or drives her children to school, she knows that she is being a good steward of her resources and time.
20. A good mother teaches her children about God
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
A Christian mom knows that the most important thing she can do as a mother is teach her children about God and help them learn how to be disciples of Christ Jesus. She teaches them about their Savior in every situation, and continually points them to God whenever she can.
21. A good mother quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness
Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
A good mom who loves God is full of forgiveness and is quick to ask for forgiveness because she knows that broken relationships are not a part of God’s plan. She demonstrates to her children what it looks like to not hold a grudge and what it looks like to humbly ask for forgiveness from others.
22. A good mother has an attitude of gratitude
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
A godly mother has a positive attitude, and she decides each day that she is going to focus on the blessings and good things from God. She continually thanks God for all the blessings and miracles, and she demonstrates thankfulness to her children through her words. She renews her mind with Biblical truths so that she can have an attitude of gratitude.
Related Content: 31 I Am Affirmations from the Bible
What should I do with this list of Characteristics of a good mother in the Bible?
Now that I have given you a list of 22 Characteristics of a good mother in the Bible, you might be wondering, what should I do with this list?
Let me just say that this list is not complete, and there are so many other character qualities that I could have added.
I also want to remind you that no Christian mom is perfect, and God is always waiting to forgive us of any sinful ways. The Bible reminds us of this Biblical truth in Romans 3:23-24 which says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
So, please do not become your own worst critic here by looking at all of the ways you aren’t a good godly mother. You are a good mother, and with God you can continue to become the best Christian mother you can be.
Use the list of 22 Characteristics of a good mother in the Bible as a way to invite God to show you where you can grow in your faith. Psalms 139:23-24 says, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
If you invite God to search your heart and mind, He will gently and lovingly show you where your character does not align with His will for you.
Growing your faith and character is a daily endeavor, and if you allow Him, God will daily shape your heart and mind to be more like Him.
If I am being completely honest, I was personally convicted on several of these character qualities as I was writing this blog post. I, too, have so much growth needed in my life. We all do!
I pray that this blog post helps affirm the character qualities in you that are pleasing to God and shows the character qualities that are not. Did I miss any characteristics that you think should be on the list? Comment below to let me know!
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