Main Point: Mother’s Day gives us a great opportunity to honor the woman who loves us so deeply and sacrifices for us so often. Let’s make the most of it.
The Discussion Starter:
Rhett and Link are two comical mainstays on the Internet. A number of their YouTube videos, including this one, have gone viral and provided millions with laughter and enjoyment. The best part is, their material is always clean, and almost always incredibly funny.
In this clip, Rhett and Link, two guys who’ve been friends since elementary school, do a “yo mama” battle of compliments…instead of putdowns. The result is hilarious encouragement that hopefully reminds everyone about the best qualities of their moms.
NOTE: This small group resource is intentionally a little shorter (with slightly fewer questions) so that you can capitalize on the Card for Mom part of this resource/idea.
The Video:
The clip can be found at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG1_393MvaQ
Transitional Statement:
That’s fun stuff, huh? I don’t know which of the “yo mama” compliments I liked the best. There were so many that were hilarious. I wanted to show that clip to you because, in a really cool way, that was Rhett and Link’s way of honoring their moms. But watching that funny clip reminds us that we have the opportunity AND obligation to honor our moms, as well. Mother’s Day is coming up and it presents us with a great chance to reveal our love and gratitude for the woman who loves us and cares for us so deeply. I hope you will make the most of that opportunity. Let’s spend the next few moments talking about some ways we can do that.
Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.
CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.
Discussion Questions:
- AROUND THE CIRCLE: As we get started, let’s all take a second to share our names and our favorite memory about our moms.
- ASK A FEW: What was your favorite “yo mama” joke from the compliments video we just watched?
- ASK A FEW: Which of the “yo mama compliment” jokes were true of your mom? Can you give a quick example?
- ASK A FEW: If you had to write a “yo mama compliment joke” about your own mom, what would it be?
- ASK A FEW: What two words best describe your mom?
- ASK A FEW: How do you typically celebrate Mother’s Day? Is it a fairly “regular day” or does your family go all out?
Read the following passage:
Ephesians 6:1-3 (NIV)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”– which is the first commandment with a promise– 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
- ASK A FEW: This passage is repeated in God’s Word several times, in the New Testament and Old Testament. Why does God make such a big deal about obeying and honoring our parents?
- ASK A FEW: The command is to “honor mother and father.” What was the promise that went along with the keeping of that command? Why is that important? (Hint: You may want to cross-reference Exodus 20:12.)
- ASK A FEW: Why does God link “honoring our parents” with us “living a long life”? What do those two have in common?
- ASK A FEW: If you had to rephrase this passage in your own words, how would you do it?
- ASK A FEW: What does it mean to “honor” someone?
- ASK A FEW: What are some things you could do or say that would show your mom that you love her and want to honor her?
- AROUND THE CIRCLE: Very specifically, how will you honor YOUR mom this Mother’s Day?
Wrap Up:
So we watched a really cool video about two guys honoring their moms in front of the world with a hilarious video about “yo mama” jokes that were encouraging instead of derogatory. It’s not often that you get to see something so entertaining AND uplifting. But that was THEIR idea to honor their moms. What’s your idea to honor your mom?
Hopefully you have something awesome planned for the mother who went through labor pains for you, bathed you when you pooped yourself as a child, put Band-Aids on all your cuts and scrapes, and will give you advice for the rest of your life. If so, just know your mom is proud of you. If not…get your act together…and soon! Mother’s Day is just around the corner!
For you “slackers” out there, let me tell you: the Bible expects us to honor our mother and father. God is a Parent, and He wants to be honored, but He also wants us to honor the parents He’s given us. Since Mother’s Day is approaching, we thought we’d share truth from God’s Word that would hopefully prompt us to seize this opportunity to love on our moms this weekend.
So here’s the deal. We’re going to take the next little while and pour out our hearts for our moms (or the woman who takes care of you) by making them a card. We’ve got cards, pens, pencils, markers, glitter, glue, stickers, jewels, and “I Owe Mom” coupons for free back rubs, car washes, you name it! (Leaders: You may also want to have a camera and printer so you can take pictures of students and print them so they can include them in their cards.)
You can make your card a serious one or a funny one, a small one or a big one, a shiny one or a plain one; it doesn’t matter. Just make your mother what you think will honor her the most. You do that by writing her something awesome from your heart.
We’re going to give you the next 20-25 minutes to make that happen. You can work together or alone. Just make sure you make your mom an awesome card. Have fun!
(Leaders: When the cards are all done, lead a prayer for all the mothers represented in the room, and ask God to give the students a heart to obey and honor their mothers and fathers.)
Close in Prayer
Written by David R Smith
