Series: Relationships “Families”

Series: Relationships /

Families

Marriage is the foundation of the family and the family is the foundation of society: if we strengthen marriage, we strengthen the family, we strengthen the children and we strengthen the community. If your goal is to help improve the world, marriage is a good a place to start.

Our Text:

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.  (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

I love that word “diligently,” don’t you?

It rings of constant communication between parents and children. God could have stopped there, but He didn’t want to cast any doubt on what He meant by “diligent,” so He specifically breaks it down further.

• When you sit in your house,
• When you walk along the road,
• When you lie down,
• When you rise up.

Morning, noon, and night parents are to teach their children God’s Word.

Children who prioritize their families look forward to being together—even though they have families of their own to nurture and care for.

“For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.” (Psalm 78: 5-7)

Families Grows Disciples

Here, God’s plan and purpose for the family is unmistakable: to pass down His laws from generation to generation. To preserve the story of God’s works, commandments, and His love for His people.

This is beautifully illustrated for us in Paul’s second letter to Timothy. “I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also” (2 Timothy 1:4-5).

This is fascinating, not only because we are given the names of Timothy’s mother and grandmother, but also because we get a glimpse into his childhood home. Can’t you just imagine Timothy’s mother and grandmother working together to teach him the Scriptures as a young boy?

His mother, Eunice, may have been making bread while his grandmother, Lois, sat beside him recounting the story of Moses crossing the Red Sea.

Every few minutes, Eunice would break in with another detail or insight. And they did this day after day.

 Their diligence and instruction paid off; Timothy grew up to become one of the leaders of the early church. No doubt, his status as a Christian had much to do with the influence of these two godly women speaking daily into his life.

Thorns and snares

“Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards himself will be far from them. 6Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22: 5–6)

Thorns and snares are in the way of the Froward/ Perverse… Who walks contrary to the will and law of God; such a man meets with troubles, which are as thorns, grieving and distressing to him; and is taken in snares, and brought into difficulties, out of which he is not easily extricated.

The thorns of affliction, and the snares of Satan: by the one his way is hedged up, and in the other his feet are taken;

He that doth keep his soul shall be far from them;

He that is concerned for the good of his soul, is careful for the welfare of that, and takes heed to his ways where and how he walks, will be far both from the way of the froward, and from the thorns and snares which are in his way.  (Gills Exposition)

Proverbs 22:5. Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward — The wicked, by their evil practices, expose themselves to many dangers, and occasions both of sin and mischief: he that keeps his soul — That takes heed to himself, and to his actions, and to the saving of his soul; shall be far from them — Will avoid the society of such froward persons; or rather, by that circumspection shall preserve himself from those thorns and snares to which the froward are exposed. (Benson Commentary)

Closing

Many of us have been fortunate enough to have had mothers and grandmothers like Eunice and Lois . . . two women faithfully living out God’s command to pass His law down from generation to generation. What a perfect model for Christian homes today.

 If we want to raise faithful families and grow future leaders, we must start in the home. That is where true discipleship starts.

We are to warn parents not to underestimate the influence they have over their children.

There is never a guarantee that children will do exactly as their parents teach, but parents have the greatest opportunity for discipleship because they live the day to day with their children.

They have countless moments to walk alongside them and share faith with them. Disciple making is serious business. It can’t be left to the church or chance. A Christian family doesn’t magically appear because we wish it into existence.

Parents must be serious about the task of passing on their faith, about living the way God calls them to live in front of their children and others, all day, every day.

“Adam… begot a son in his own likeness, after his image.” GENESIS 5: 3

    It is a basic fact of physical life that we beget children in our own likeness, after our image. Adam begat a son in his own likeness, and called his name Seth. When people saw Seth they probably said what people have been saying ever since: “Like father, like son.”

   It is also a sobering fact of spiritual life that we beget children in our own image. When we are used to introducing others to the Lord Jesus, they insensibly take on characteristics similar to our own.

   Here it is not a matter of heredity but of imitation. They look up to us as the ideal of what Christians should be and unconsciously pattern their behavior after ours. Soon they manifest the family likeness. This means that the place I give to the Bible in my life will set the standard for my children in the faith.

    It means that my emphasis on prayer will become theirs also. If I am a worshiper, this characteristic will probably rub off on them, too. If I adhere to the stern demands of discipleship, they will figure that this is the norm for all believers. On the other hand, if I water down the Savior’s words and live for wealth, fame, and pleasure, I can expect them to follow my lead.

    Zealous soul winners tend to beget on-fire personal workers. Those who find pleasure and profit in Scripture memory pass on the vision to their spiritual children. If you are irregular about attendance at the meetings of the assembly, you can hardly expect your protege to be any different.

    If you are usually late, they will probably be late, too. If you sit in the back row, don’t be surprised if that influences them to do likewise. On the other hand, if you are disciplined, dependable, punctual, and vitally involved, your Timothy’s will follow your faith.

 So the question for each of us is, “Am I content to beget children in my own image?” The Apostle Paul could say, “I urge you, imitate me” (1 Cor. 4: 16). Can we say that?

Hope to See each of you this week!