Homebirth One/God's Design for the Family

  1.  God's part in pregnancy - Psalm 139:13-16 "For You have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them."
    1. Importance of God being included - Isaiah 55:8-9 "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the LORD. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts above your thoughts.' "
      1. During conception - Jeremiah 1:5 "'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you From; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.'"
        1. Did the couple pray about it.
        2. Did they try to prevent it.
      2. In decisions about pregnancy - Isaiah 44:24 "Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: 'I am the LORD, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone, who spreads abroad the earth by Myself...'"
        1. Birthplace
        2. Birth attendants - Genesis 35:17 "Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, 'Do not fear; you will have this son also.'"; Genesis 38:28 "And so it was, when she was giving birth...the midwife took a scarlet thread..."; Exodus 1:15-20 "Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives...the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them...Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty."; Hosea 13:13 "The sorrows of a woman in childbirth shall come upon him. He is an unwise son, for he should not stay long where children are born." [Further study of this last verse indicates that the phrase "where children are born" refers to the opening of the womb or cervix, and thus casts this verse in an entirely different light--perhaps alluding to stalled labor? (i.e., being subjected to intense labor, as in childbirth, but never seeing the completion of that labor.) Interesting wording, nevertheless!]
        3. Prenatal procedures - Psalm 139:15 (see above--secrecy of the womb)
      3. During the birth - Psalm 22:9 "But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust when I was on My mother's breasts."
        1. Strength and endurance - Isaiah 40:28-29 "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. There is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength."; Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
        2. Guidance and wisdom - Job 12:13 "With Him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding."
        3. Outcome - Isaiah 66:9 "'Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?' says the LORD. 'Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?' says your God."
      4. In general
        1. Pray about weak areas - Jude 24 "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy..."
          1. To discern where they are - Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
          2. To strengthen them - 1 John 5:4-5 "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" Jude 20 "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit..."
          3. To deflect attacks by Satan - Ephesians 6:10-13 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." 1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." Ephesians 4:27 "...nor give place to the devil."
        2. Seek guidance in everything - Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." 1 John 5:14-15 "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."
          1. Marriage
          2. Pregnancy
          3. Naming the baby
          4. Parenting
  2. Children's place in marriage
    1. Life is God's idea - Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."; John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
      1. So is the family -- Genesis 1:26-28 "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'" Genesis 2:18-25 "And the LORD God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone...'"
      2. God called it "good" - Genesis 1:31 "Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.
    2. Children are a blessing and a reward from God - Psalm 127:3-5 "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD; the fruit of the womb is His reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate."
      1. They are a force for either good or evil and as such require preparation ("as arrows in the hand of a warrior") - v. 4
      2. God desires "godly seed" in marriage - Malachi 2:15 "But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth." 1 Corinthians 7:14 "For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy."
      3. Not being allowed to enjoy your children is considered a spiritual curse in Scripture -Deuteronomy 28:41 "You shall beget sons and daughters, but they shall not be yours; for they shall go into captivity."
  3. Husband's responsibility
    1. Understanding pregnancy and birth - 1 Peter 3:7 "Likewise you husbands, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered."
    2. Protect wife spiritually
      1. Pray/intercede for wife and baby - Philippians 4:6
      2. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." 3 John 2 "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
      3. Understand/accept authority over her body - I Corinthians 7:4 "The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does." Ephesians 5:23-24 "For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything."
    3. Encourage wife - Ephesians 5:25-33 "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of his flesh and of His bones. 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." 1 Corinthians 10:24 "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being."
      1. Diet - 1 Corinthians 10:31 "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
      2. Exercise - 1 Corinthians 9:27 "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."
      3. Healthy living - 1 Corinthians 10:23 "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful; all things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify."
      4. Spiritual growth - Hebrews 10:24 "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works."
    4. Ensure proper order in home
      1. Understanding the scriptures - 1 Corinthians 11:3 "But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God." Ephesians 5:23 "For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body." Colossians 3:18-21 "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."
      2. Discussion between couple - Romans 12:18 "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."
      3. Solving conflict through prayer - 1 John 5:14-15 (see above)
  4. Wife's responsibility
    1. Prepare for birth - Proverbs 14:1 "Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her own hands."
      1. Diet - Judges 13:3-4 "...you shall conceive and bear a son. Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat any unclean thing."
      2. Exercise - Proverbs 31:17 "She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms."
      3. Spiritually - Proverbs 4:23 "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."
        1. Daily prayer - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 "...pray without ceasing."
        2. Daily Bible reading - Acts 17:11 "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."
        3. Other reading - Proverbs 1:28-29 "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me, because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD..." Proverbs 3:13-15 "Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her." Proverbs 4:7 "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and in all your getting, get understanding."
    2. Prepare for motherhood
      1. Learn about breastfeeding (also called a "blessing") - Genesis 49:25 "...blessings of heaven above, blessings of the the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb."
      2. Seek spiritual support/mentors - Titus 2:3-5 "...the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things--that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."
      3. Understand/accept proper place in home - Ephesians 5:23 "For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body." Proverbs 1:8 "My son, hear the instruction of the father, and do not forsake the law of your mother." Titus 2:4-5 (see above)
  5. The meaning of birth and motherhood (see also SLC materials)
    1. Birth as a metaphor
      1. The transformation a person undergoes when he comes to the Lord, necessary for entering God's kingdom - John 3:3-8 "Jesus answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?' Jesus answered, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again." The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.'"
      2. Contractions themselves, for the events leading up to Christ's return - Matthew 24:3-8 "Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?' And Jesus answered and said to them: 'Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ," and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubles; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.'" [The word "sorrows" in the Greek is that used to describe "birth pangs"; i.e, contractions! "All these are the beginnings of labor."
      3. The work which Christ did on the cross and/or what the disciples went through prior to His resurrection - John 16:21-22 "A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you." Hebrews 12:2 "...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
    2. The importance of motherhood
      1. Eve--"the mother of all living"
        1. "Woman" means "wombman"
        2. Childbearing is a gift through which we share in God doing a creative miracle
      2. Rachel - Genesis 30:1 "Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, 'Give me children, or else I die!'"
      3. Jephthah's daughter - Judges 11:37-40 "Then she said to her father, 'Let this thing be done for me: let me alone for two months, that I may go and wander on the mountains and bewail my virginity, my friends and I.' So he said, 'Go.' And he sent her away for two months; and she went with her friends, and bewailed her virginity on the mountains. And it was so at the end of two months that she returned to her father, and he carried out his vow with her which he had vowed. She knew no man. And it became a custom in Israel that the daughters of Israel went four days each year to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite."
      4. Hannah - 1 Samuel 1:6 "And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb."
      5. Other references
        1. "Blessings of the breasts and of the womb" - Genesis 49:25
        2. "A joyful mother of children" - Psalm 113:9
        3. "Your wife...a fruitful vine" - Psalm 128:3
      6. Prophecy made by Jesus that time would come when motherhood would no longer be valued - Luke 23:28-29 "But Jesus, turning to them, said, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, "Blessed are the barren, the wombs which never bore, and the breasts which never nursed!"'"

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