10 Characteristics of a Good Mother in the Bible

What is are the characteristics of a good mother in the Bible? Do you know? Let’s see what the Bible has to say about mothers and the roles they play using reading some verses about mothers.

While I’ve been a mom for nineteen years now, I’m still learning and growing. I still don’t have it perfect. Being a godly mother has many challenges, but learning these characteristics of a good mother will help you know what to focus on.

I hope you can learn from my mistakes and some things I’ve learned along the way. It’s important to go to the Bible for answers to the questions of life, including motherhood . . . especially with something as important as motherhood.

The Role of a Mother According to the Bible

According to the Bible, the role of Christian moms is to love and care for their children. She is to teach and train, nurture, and discipline her young children. A godly mother is not a perfect mother, but she is a good role model for her children.

A good mother takes care of her family’s needs and cares for her home. She is also a good wife to her husband in both the good times and the hard times.

While motherhood often feels like a thankless job, God way places high value on the role of a godly mom. As mothers, we have a significant role in the lives of our children. 

Our influence and care allow our children to thrive. We also teach and train our children in the ways of the Lord along with our husbands. This is why the characteristics of a godly mother are so important. A great mom who depends on God’s plan for her is also a virtuous woman with good understanding.

What Does the Bible Say About Mothers

Mothers play an important role in the Bible. We see courageous mothers in the Bible, such as Jochebed, who thoughtfully developed a plan to save Moses; Hannah, who begged God for a son, only to give Samuel back to God; and Sarah, who waited years and years to bear the long-promised Isaac. Of course, we can’t forget about Mary, the mother of Jesus the Messiah!

The Bible also talks about what a blessing it is to be a mother along with the many roles and tasks a mother is called to do. While motherhood may be intimidating, especially at times, as Christians we have the Holy Spirit to help and guide us along the way. 

As we lean into Jesus, He changes us into amazing mothers and women of God. Just take a deep breath. We have God’s grace to help us grow into the role models we should be!

Bible verses about motherhood

I find it helpful to see what the Bible actually says about the blessings and joys of motherhood. After all, God’s Word is the beginning of wisdom. You will also find Bible verses that talk about the importance of the role of a mother on a child.

Psalm 127:3-5

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5 ESV

What wonderful things these verses say about motherhood! Children are a reward and a blessing! Knowing that will help you as you parent your children. It’s especially a great thing to remember during the challenges of raising children.

Leviticus 19:3

“Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:3

As mothers, we need to teach our children to honor and respect us as their parents. We also need to teach our children the ways of God.

Proverbs 31:25-29

“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'” Proverbs 31:25-29

As a godly mother, you will be instrumental in your child’s life. You will also be honored and blessed in time by your children. They may not appreciate you now, but they will. As you teach your children about the things of God and the gospel of Jesus, those teachings will guide them throughout their lives.

Proverbs 6:20-21

“My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.” Proverbs 6:20-21

It’s our teaching that will later lead and guide our children to do the right thing, so it needs to come from God. We can’t do this in our own power. As moms, we are privileged to play such an important role in the lives of our children.

Bible verses about mother’s responsibility

As a good mother according to the Bible’s standards, there are certain things we are responsible for doing for our children. Check out these Bible verses which mention some of these things. We’ll discuss them a bit further in the next section.

Isaiah 66:13

“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” Isaiah 66:13

Comforting our children is an expectation as we see from this verse in Isaiah. Comforting a child is a natural response to them as they go through difficult times. 

Titus 2:3-5

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” Titus 2:3-5

This particular New Testament passage is full of mothers’ responsibilities. We are to love our husbands and children. We need to control ourselves, take care of our home, be kind, as well as submit to our husbands. Woo! I know that’s a lot, but with God’s help, you can do it!

Proverbs 29:15

“The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” Proverbs 29:15

Part of a mother’s responsibility according to this Bible verse is to discipline and reprove her child when he or she is wrong. Parenting takes intentionality. We can’t just leave our children to themselves and expect them to turn out well and have godly character. 

Proverbs 14:1

“The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.” Proverbs 14:1

I know that you realize the power of words. However, our actions also play a big role in the overall feel of our homes. By carefully choosing your words, make sure you are building versus tearing down your home as this Old Testament verse reminds us.

1 Thessalonians 2:7

“But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.” 1 Thessalonians 2:7

According to this verse, a mother is to be gentle and caring. This is just what our children need. As moms, we have a crucial role in this care, not only of their physical needs but of their spiritual needs especially.

Characteristics of a Good Mother

What are some characteristics of a good mother? The Bible verses above, along with some other verses about women and wives, give us some great characteristics of a good mother in the Bible. A good mother according to the Bible is a godly mother. I want to be a godly mother, don’t you?

As you seek to be a godly mother, keep these characteristics in mind. This is not an exhaustive list, but it does give you a great start in learning who you are to be as a mother in Christ. Being a good mom is hard, but I’m so thankful God helps us!

1. A good mother will keep Christ first

A godly mother loves Jesus. It’s so easy to get distracted by culture or by your own selfish desires. However, you are commanded to love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and might. This world is temporary, but what you do for God is eternal. This is the most important thing you can do as a virtuous mother. Keep that in mind. 

2. A good mother will submit to her husband

God has an amazing design for marriage. The husband loves the wife as Christ loves the church, and the wife submits to the authority God has given to the husband. As we do this, we are modeling a Christian marriage to our children in an ungodly world. The gospel needs to be lived out in our marriage. This will give our children a solid foundation.

3. A good mother will love, teach, train, and discipline her children

Our children depend on us to love them unconditionally. They need us to teach and train them in the Lord. The best way to do this is by giving discipline as well as praising what they are doing right. This is a great combination to keep in mind. What an important role of motherhood! 

4. A good mother will be a keeper of the home

I know this is highly debatable according to today’s culture, even Christian culture, but Titus 2 above is pretty clear on this matter. Motherhood is a high calling, and God gave us our children to nurture and train. It’s not someone else’s job, but ours. 

This doesn’t mean you can’t bring in any income — even the Proverbs 31 woman did that. However, as a Christian woman, your priority is your family and your home. Our family needs to feel our unconditional love. They should never feel that they come second to your work.

5. A good mother will not crave outward beauty

This is another tough one in today’s culture. There’s so much emphasis on our outward appearance! While it’s fine to look nice, it’s not okay to be craving that outward attention. 

Our heart toward God is of utmost importance, and that makes us truly beautiful. As godly women, we will seek a quiet spirit instead.

6. A good mother will be content

We want to keep up with those around us. We want our children to have the things we never had, or maybe we want them to not feel left out. Unfortunately, those things do not bring us true contentment. If we have the basic necessities, we should be content. Let’s be a good example and practice gratitude instead of wanting more.

7. A good mother will seek wisdom

The proverbs are full of verses talking about how we should seek wisdom in our own lives. James 1:5 is one of my favorite verses. It reminds us that God gives wisdom to whoever asks. Wisdom is such a great character trait of a godly woman. I don’t know about you, but I need all the wisdom I can get!

8. A good mother will seek God’s approval and not man’s

Do you base your decisions on what others will think of you? What about those on social media or what the culture around you is doing? Our priority needs to be pleasing God and seeking His approval with a pure heart above all else. A wise woman will do just that.

9. A good Christian mother will model godly behavior for her children

Have you ever heard the expression that more is caught than taught? Our children learn from our character traits and behaviors. Yes, that can be intimidating, but they can also learn from our mistakes and our willingness to admit when we fail. 

They need to see us reading God’s Word and praying. They need to watch us serve others and share the good news of the gospel. Our children should see us sharing God’s love with others. No, we won’t be perfect, so they need to see us ask for forgiveness.

10. A good mother will train younger women as she ages

Again from Titus 2, it’s important to have someone ahead and behind us in life. An older woman can be a mentor to you and share God’s wisdom as you mentor others who are younger than you in motherhood and/or in faith. Young women need to learn from a godly woman who is older and wiser.

Prayer to be a Good Mother

You will not become a good mother overnight, but as you grow in your walk with God, grow in the fruit of the spirit, and seek His plan for you, you will grow more into the good mother He wants you to be. In the meantime, be open to God’s work in your life. Also, take the time to pray and ask for His help in becoming a good mom. God wants to hear from you and He wants to help you. 

“Dear Lord, sometimes I wonder if I can ever even really be a good mother. I feel like a mess up all the time, but then I remember that this is what You have called me to be. Since You’ve called me to be a mother, You will give me what I need to do this well and for Your glory. Help me to always remember what a blessing my children truly are. Give me words of wisdom and kindness on my tongue. Please guide me to train my children in Your ways. May I honor and glorify You as a mom. Amen.”

Which characteristic of a good mother according to the Bible do you struggle with most? Do you struggle with your role as a mother? What do you love about being a mom? Please comment below. Before you go, be sure to check out these mother’s love Bible verses.

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