Spiritual Mothering – A Book Review

Spiritual Mothering by Susan Hunt, is written particularly to speak to those women in the church whom Paul addresses in Titus 2 when he states “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love their husband and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”  However, this could also be a mandate for every women’s ministry.  As Ms. Hunt states “every Christian woman can enter the high calling of spiritual reproduction and motherhood.”

She defines “spiritual mothering” as:  “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.”

In today’s society, the extended family has all but disappeared, and women are deprived of that source of security and fellowship.  That, in addition to the transience of our society, makes long-term relationships with other women difficult.  Women in the church today need godly mentors, and throughout this book, Ms. Hunt encourages women to invest themselves in the lives of younger women.  She tells us what we are commanded to teach them, according to Titus 2, and how we can encourage, love, accept and comfort them.  Woven throughout are testimonies of women whose lives have been changed by having an older godly woman mentor and teach them.

In our women’s ministries, we are encouraging our ladies to live as godly women in all areas of their lives.  They are being bombarded with a very different message from the world on a daily basis. While the emphasis of this book is the one-on-one relationship, I see great value in these principles being applied within our women’s ministries.  We see how Jesus gently mentored His disciples, often as a group–He invested His life into theirs, spending time with them, inspiring them, teaching them, exhorting them, encouraging them and being an example to them.  As women’s ministry leaders, we can endeavor to do the same with the the ladies who choose to be involved in women’s ministry.

“Wherever you are in life’s timeline, the experiences you have been through and the faith lessons you have learned are worth perpetuating.  Even as you look back and find younger women to nurture, I urge you to look ahead and avail yourself of the perspective of an older woman–you will be richer–other women will be encouraged and equipped–God will be glorified–His Word will be honored!”  May we develop such relationships within our women’s ministries.