Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 6
Tobit’s instructions included “despise not thy mother,” “honor her all the days of thy life,” and “grieve her not,” along with the command to bury her with honor. In an age that celebrates personal independence, what would it practically look like to live out “all the days of thy life” honor toward a mother (especially when she becomes inconvenient, weak, or costly to care for)?
Another way to ask: In a culture focused on independence, what would it look like to honor your mother for your whole life—especially when caring for her becomes hard, inconvenient, or expensive?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the transcript, lifelong honor would include consistent respect in attitude (“despise not”), choices aimed at pleasing rather than grieving her, and practical, costly care as she weakens—up to ensuring she is treated with dignity in death. The speaker’s examples also show honor can look like listening to a mother’s moral counsel and remembering her sacrifices.
- Tobit’s charge: “despise not thy mother…honor her all the days of thy life…do that which shall please her and grieve her not.”
- Tobit adds remembrance of her sacrifice: “she saw many dangers for thee…when thou wast in her womb,” grounding honor in gratitude.
- He commands tangible care: “when she is dead, bury her by me in one grave.”
- The speaker praises Jesus ensuring Mary is “taken care of” even while dying (John 19).
- A later testimony models late-life care: a man visits his 96-year-old mother in assisted living and spends time asking her questions.