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Each year as we approach Mother’s Day, many different thoughts and emotions come to mind. “Mother” evokes different memories for all of us. One thing we all agree on is this: were we able to make a list of the things that mothers do and the things they teach growing children, that list would be nearly endless!

In the same way that a newborn needs attention and care from its mother, so a newborn babe in Christ needs care and attention. Spiritual mothers are as vital to the process of Christian women striving to grow in the grace and knowledge of God, as natural mothers are to the well-being and growth of their physical children. Many of us can look back on special women in our lives who have come alongside of us to enfold, encourage, exhort, and equip us to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord to please Him in all respects.” We need a resurgence of that kind of woman to nurture women in the church today.

In this month’s book selection, Spiritual Mothering, Susan Hunt explores the reality of that need and by revealing to us a clear picture of the Biblical remedy exhorts us to live out our faith in such a way as to fulfill the spiritual mothering mandate.

Her reference text, of course, is the second chapter of the book of Titus, containing what has become known as the “Titus 2 Mandate” for women. The book is divided into three sections, The Mandate, The Model, and The Method. The scriptural basis for each section is enhanced with many examples and provides crucial answers to a host of questions and hesitations that women raise about this subject.

There is no arguing with the mandate, and Susan Hunt simplifies its definition. Spiritual mothering occurs “when a woman possessing faith and spiritual maturity enters into a nurturing relationship with a younger woman in order to encourage and equip her to live for God’s glory.” The requirements are clear. “Spiritual mothering simply requires younger women who are teachable and godly older women who are willing to open their hearts.” Whether or not we raise children of our own, we are called to and equipped for spiritual mothering. It is a natural outcome of our response of faith to live in obedience and become equipped for every good work. For the sake of marriages, families, mercy ministries, and the well-being of the local churches, women need to nurture one another into maturity. This book shows us how to go about it.

Spiritual Mothering is a pleasure to read. In addition to the careful Biblical teaching, each chapter tells real-life stories of actual spiritual mothering relationships. These stories demonstrate how easy it is to begin living out the model of spiritual mothering. The examples of varied expressions of the methods employed by women who differ not only in gifts and abilities but in personality and lifestyle, encourage us to obey the mandate through our own unique abilities.

This book is foundational to understanding spiritual mothering. Read it alone, use it for your leadership training, or use it for your small group Bible study. The accompanying workbook has some great ideas for small group use.

Recommendations

George Grant calls this book “sane, sound, and sensible.” Susan “draws on a wealth of scriptural material to illumine the righteous and venerable tradition of people actually investing themselves in people – rather than in programs, projects, or perspectives.”

Beverly LaHaye of Concerned Women for America calls this book “a jewel” calling women to “powerfully affect our nation and world with the love of God – one person at a time.”