Monday: Single Parenting
One phenomenon the world faces is that of single parents, often but not always a woman as the single parent.
Sometimes we think of single parents as those who have conceived a child out of wedlock. However, that is not always the case. Hagar was pressured into having a child with Abraham, and then was forced to leave with her child (Gen. 16:3-4; Gen. 21:17).
Preparing for Death
Bathsheba became pregnant as a result of the sexual advance of a powerful man (2 Sam. 11:4-5). Elijah was sent to a village called Zarephath to help a single mother who was a widow (1 Kings 17:9). By the time Jesus began His ministry, Joseph, His adoptive father, had died, leaving Mary a widow and a single parent. “Death had separated her from Joseph, who had shared her knowledge of the mystery of the birth of Jesus. Now there was no one to whom she could confide her hopes and fears. The past two months had been very sorrowful”. – Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 145.
Being a single parent is perhaps one of the most challenging jobs a person can have. Many face difficulties, such as managing their finances, dealing with the other parent, or simply having time just for themselves or to spend time with God, and wondering whether they will ever be loved again.
What promises can anyone, including single parents, take from the following verses: Jer. 31:25; Matt. 11:28; Jer. 29:11; Jer. 32:27; Prov. 3:5-6; Isa. 43:1-2.
We as a church have the responsibility to help single parents. James wrote, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble” (James 1:27, NKJV). One could add, in principle, “and single parents in their trouble, too”. The help we can offer does not have to just be financial. We could allow them to have some respite by taking their children for a little while so they can do other chores, rest, pray, and study God’s Word. We can serve as mentors to their children or help repair things around the house. We can be God’s hands in numerous ways to help support single parents.
| Without passing judgment as to how they came to their situation, what specific things can you do to encourage and help single parents? |
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Single parenting could result from either divorce,death or siring a child out of wedlock.Indeed single parents go through quite a lot in raising their children....they are doing a job that was meant for two adult individuals.
Let's extend lines of hopeful credit to those whose life's account seem empty and our own coffers of consolation will be enriched and made full.
Single parents as they struggle to raise their children in righteous and truth have a reason to be hopeful since as much as they cannot change the past but indeed they can shape the future and they will surely obtain compensatory blessing in the near future
Hi. A single parent named Ruth is ready to remarry. She just needs somebody to connect her to her future husband.
By the way she is a foreigner and she stays with her mother-in-law. Her husband died some years back. She used to worship other gods but now she worships Jehovah.
Naomi has advised her to go and introduce herself to a certain gentleman named Boaz.
Do you think this is a good idea?
Do you think the church should do something to connect single parent to their future husbands and wives?
Where are the Naomis of today?
Cyrus: Where do you get any information that Ruth was a parent before she wed Boaz?
Show acceptance and love without judgment.
Single parents are shielded and protected.
They are used to doing everything by themselves.
Therefore, pay attention to the need of single parents.
Where are the angels (men and women) of Hagar today?
Provide day care, provide a meal
Love them in such a way that they don't want to be anywhere else other than the church family.
Let us show it takes the love and support of a church to raise Samuels of our day for the Lord.
Be genuine in your care.
We do adopted a family with a single parent... Give and learn many things from that. God is the One who sent them to our family.
Single parenting is soo hard but the blessings which God bring in hand with it is unmeasurable,no woman wld not want to av a man of his own n kids but circumstances happen n we shld accept the situation n raise our kids with faith,love n great care coz God who brought u that man n left will forever b there for u.lets learn not to judge but be helpers
I recall the hardship through which my mum has gone through to raise us and model us after Christ's way. Lets pray for single parents and support and encourage them. God bless and grant them wisdom to guide their children
I’m a single mom. Does that mean the Lord has called me to be married eventually, or could I possibly be called to singleness?
I don't think it is a call to either marriage or singleness. However, you are currently a mom and that is a call to be the best parent you can be in your situation. Blessings as you bring up your child/children.
As a single mom I have struggled for years feeling that I can raise my children to be all God wants them to be. But now with the support of my church family and encouragement I know with God I can lead them to Christ and let Him do the rest