Using excerpts from the Bible, these lessons encourage kids to give thanks to their mothers using the Word of God. But remember to take extra special care with students who may have lost their mothers. Emphasize that whoever our caregiver is, their role is just the same.
1. Honor Your Mother
Teach kids how to truly value their mothers with this Mother’s Day Sunday school lesson. Show them the attitude that God wants them to have toward their parents, with this activity rooted in Scripture.
Ephesians 6:1-3
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promiseo that it may go well with you and that you may live a long life on the earth.”
After reading the passage, get your students to highlight the verbs (in italics). Then, get them to think about how kids should treat their parents. Ask them to share a few examples of where they have and have not lived according to these principles. You can use random examples if they struggle to share personal details. Then, urge them to reflect on how their mother may have felt if they acted in certain ways.
Then, ask the children to think of things their mother has done that help them or make them feel good. Have them write these things out in a list and save them to make a sweet Mother’s Day card on a different day—this will make a great Sunday school Mother’s Day craft.
2. Mothers of the Bible
Take a look at some of the most iconic biblical mother figures in this Mother’s Day children’s church lesson. While it's best to teach this lesson in the weeks leading up to mothers day, this all-encompassing class works all year round.
Proverbs 31:28-29
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
Use this piece of Scripture to dive into this Mother's Day Sunday school lesson for elementary kids. Split students into small groups or pairs and have them discuss a mother from the Bible. Then, ask them to answer these questions and relay the information to the rest of the class.
- Who were her children?
- Did she follow God?
- Why do we remember her?
Eve: Eve was the first woman, first mom, and first wife. She shared a special relationship with God until she sinned in the garden of Eden. We have been born with a sinful nature because of how Eve was deceived by the serpent and did not obey God.
Hannah: Hannah was the mom of a judge of Israel, Samuel. She could not have children until she called out to God, but He heard her prayer. She promised to give Samuel to God for his whole life.
Mary: Mary was the mother of Jesus. God chose her to have Jesus because He saw something special in her. She obeyed God in extraordinary circumstances and knew the Word of God well.
3. Authority, Responsibility, and Respect
This children’s Sunday school lesson for Mother’s Day teaches students, elementary and up, that we must show our parents the utmost respect even when they annoy us. Many kids will be getting to the age that they consider rebelling or hate being told what to do, and this class will show them that it comes from a place of love.
Proverbs 6:20
“My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.”
Start by asking your students why God gave us all parents. Wait for some answers—they will probably refer back to babies needing complete care. Then, ask them if they think they will reach an age where they no longer need their parents. The point of this is to highlight that there is never a time we don’t need our parents anymore—just like how we will always need God.
We must always treat our parents with respect. Even when we feel frustrated with the authority they have over us. Our parents are responsible for us, which means they have the authority to set rules for us—the two go hand in hand! As we grow up, we move away from our parents and start taking responsibility for ourselves.
The more you grow up, the less you will need your parents until you are eventually an adult. Although you will be completely responsible for yourself, you still need to respect your parents as they have made huge sacrifices for you. We respect God as our heavenly Father and must show the same respect to our mothers, fathers, and caregivers on Earth.
Teaching the kids of your Sunday school how to love and respect their mothers is vital, and best done in small groups. Take care to highlight the importance of our parents and caregivers as equals (to be sensitive to everyone’s home situation), but hold a special mention for mothers.
Mother’s Day lessons in Sunday school can have a huge impact on how your kids make their mom feel special on that day. Show them the importance of being good people by valuing their parents through these Mother’s Day Bible study lessons.