Discipleship in nuclear family and among relatives
Teacher
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Lesson 7
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
Deuteronomy 6.1-9
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
Deuteronomy 6.1-3
1These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess,
2so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
Deuteronomy 6.1-3
3Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
4Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
5Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
6These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
Deuteronomy 6.4-9
BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT
7Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
8Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
9Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6.4-9
GOLDEN TEXT
Acts 16.31
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
AIMS
Face the challenge of family discipleship in these times notably indifferent with God’s issues;
Understand that we need to preach the gospel to our relatives with wisdom;
Restore family devotion service as a way of discipling children and strengthen spouses’ faith.
INTRODUCTION
In general, the term family serves to describe numerous forms of coexistence, from the external network of relatives, made up of uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law, in-laws, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandparents, to the contemporary nuclear family and its variations. This was the model originally devised by God.
From the beginning, the family has been the target of cruel attacks from their adversaries; however, it has never been defeated, for God has delivered and confirmed it.
1. DISCIPLESHIP IN THE NUCLEAR FAMILY
It is within the nuclear family that parents teach their children about the social, moral and spiritual values that will form the basis of the child's formation and should govern their social life. It is within this family model that the process of discipleship and evangelization must take place as a matter of priority.
The great evangelist D. L. Moody declared:
I believe the family was established long before the church, and my duty is to my family first. I am not to neglect my family.
1.1. MODELS OF NUCLEAR FAMILY
Despite having been idealized by God from the beginning, the concept of the monogamous nuclear family has gone through many obstacles and challenges throughout history. The consolidation of this model took place in the 18th century and, since then, it has reached its apogee as the dominant standard family model.
Depending on the historical-geographic-cultural context, one can find several models of nuclear family, for example: consanguineous families, temporary or permanent adoptive families, biracial or multicultural families, single parent families, families reconstituted after divorce, dysfunctional families, among other types.
1.2. DISCIPLING THE SPOUSE
Sometimes, when only a man or woman is converted to the Lord, there is a feeling of being alone and discouragement that often knocks the door. However, the believer (husband or wife) must not abandon the unbelieving partner for this reason. Not even for the best intentions, how to serve the Lord better.
1 Co 7.12-14- This text means that the unbelieving spouse can receive the direct influence of the Holy Spirit, through the relationship with the believer, and thus be convinced of sin, justice and judgment (Jo 16.8).
1.3. DISCIPLING THE CHILDREN
Parents are primarily responsible for the evangelization and discipleship of their children. This is an obligation that cannot be delegated to anyone else; not even to the multiple ministries and people of the local church.
Statistically, there are a huge number of young people who stray from the ways of the Lord because their parents failed to guide them in the way of salvation by faith. The work of evangelizing and discipling children must have a central place in the home and in the church.
2. DISCIPLESHIP AMONG RELATIVES
Indifference to people to whom there is some degree of kinship is something that displeases God. It is not possible to act carelessly when it comes to salvation of our relatives.
But evangelizing relatives is not the easiest task, since Jesus himself was not initially accepted in his mission by his relatives, not even his own brothers believed in him (Jo 7.3,4; Mt 13.58).
2.1. IN GOOD OR FAVORABLE TIMES
Cornelio's example makes it clear that relatives can also benefit from our conversion, being also reached by the gospel and made participants in God's blessings that come from it (Acts 10.24). Holiday meetings can be excellent opportunities to speak to relatives who do not yet know Christ as Savior.
A visit, a phone call, a word of comfort in a time of anguish can predispose a person to listen and reflect on God's love and power.
2.2. IN CRITICAL CIRCUMSTANCES
3. DISCIPLING THROUGH FAMILY DEVOTION
It is in the home environment that the most important concepts in life are taught, and the character of the child is formed. Familiar discipleship will develop in the child the principle of God worship, solidifying in him the true moral values.
3.1. THE NEED AND URGENCY OF
FAMILY DEVOTION
In Jewish culture, a home was supposed to be a school where children would learn to fear and love the Lord. However, nowadays, unfortunately, we no longer see the same zeal in families. They lack the culture of service and worship God at home. It is imperative that the altar of worship and teaching the word of God be restored at home.
3.1.1 REASONS TO PRACTICE FAMILIAR DISCIPLESHIP
- Your family belongs to God and you were designated to take care of them (Psal 127.3);
- It’s not because you are a believer that your children will automatically be believers;
- Salvation is not earned by heritage or kinship;
- Familiar discipleship is a place where one can prepare to face the challenges of living in a bad world;
- Familiar discipleship prepares children to worship God at church or anywhere else.
3.2. Steps for implementing
the family devotion
Familiar discipleship is a preventive measure and, at the same time, a powerful weapon to lead family members to worship God and serve Him with all their hearts.
3.2.1. How to make familiar discipleship interesting
- Talk with your family about the best day and time to have it;
- Keep focuses – you must remember that you are having a service for the Lord;
- Make an agenda with activities;
- Be simple, yet creative in applying the message;
- Encourage participation by asking questions and giving opportunities so that your children can talk;
- Be brief and objective – a good service must have around 5-10 min of duration.
3.3. Family devotion service: enrichment source and spiritual growth
Daily Bible reading and family prayer can provide an understanding of oneself and the reality in which one lives in a unique way. Through family worship, children can receive biblical instruction and respond to God in faith, trust in His provisions, holiness, and obedience.
Paul said to the Colossians brothers: Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Cl 3.16)
3.4. As for me and my household
will serve the Lord
For various reasons, some believers neglect home worship. The excuses are sometimes: lack of time, discouragement or tiredness. However, this does not make them any less accountable to God and men. Joshua's challenge, Moses' replacement on the mission to lead the people of Israel to the Promised Land, is still valid today (Js 24.15).
CONCLUSION
Family must be the aim of our prayers and personal effort in terms of evangelization and discipleship. What is the use of being concerned with salvation in the most distant mission fields, if our family does not yet know Christ as Lord and Savior?
May the Holy Spirit wake up his people to preach and disciple nuclear family.
GOD BLESS YOU!
EBD ADVEC
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