Thursday, February 21, 2013

The Home: Training Ground for a Lifetime of Trusting God

{Sorry for all of the inserts and extras.  I don't know how to get them out of the outline!}


How much it would please God if our theology came alive in our kitchens and bedrooms and backyards – the places where we spend time together.  Life and doctrine in a gospel-centered home.  A place where Scripture, in all its depth and richness, is believed and lived anew each day.  Where Christians are formed and reformed daily, where those who have yet to believe can see the influence of the Lord Jesus, morning and evening.  – Peter Schemm, Jr.


FOUNDATIONS OF THE THEOLOGY OF FAMILY


1.      God created man and woman in His image (Ge. 1:27).

2.      God blessed man and woman with the gifts of marriage, sex, and family (Ge. 1:28; 2:24).

3.      God gave parents the primary role of spiritually discipling their children (Dt. 6:4-9).

4.      God calls husbands to love and serve their wives and calls wives to submit to and respect their husbands (Eph. 5:21-33).

5.      God’s design is for marriage to be lifelong (Mal. 2:16).

6.      God wants to use our families to reflect Him and bear godly offspring (2 Cor. 5:20; ML. 2:15).

7.      God’s design is for families to unite and partner with the local church for the mutual purpose of evangelism and discipleship (He. 10:24-25; Gal. 6:1-2).

 

HABITS OF A GOSPEL-CENTERED HOUSEHOLD


Spiritual habits and disciplines are hollow apart from a genuine love and affection for Jesus Christ.  They tend to take on a “new bondage” if not.  The spirit of the Christian household is inspired by the love of God.  It is a disposition that consistently reflects God’s love through grace and forgiveness.  Our disciplines become a good means to a greater end.  The spirit of the Christian household is a spirit of redemption.

 
1.      Reading the Scriptures together. 


·         Scripture is the most important source for training.  The primary means of Christian formation.

·         Bonhoeffer taught that reading Scripture must be foundational to life in community.  A child hears and learns the Bible for the first time in family worship, the adult Christian learns it repeatedly and better, and he will never finish acquiring knowledge of its story. 


On the importance of systematic reading of chapters of the Bible . . .We must admit that the Scriptures are still largely unknown to us.  Can the realization of our ignorance of the Word of God have any other consequence than that we should earnestly and faithfully retrieve what was lost?


·         Reading Scripture must always be a priority in the Christian household – no matter what age a believer is, seven or seventy.

·         Read it regularly together – not necessarily daily but consistently.

·         Make it a goal for the habit of Scripture reading is “life together under the Word.”

 

2.      Practice catechesis together – formally or informally.

 
 
You have three priorities: teach, teach, and teach.  Evangelical churches are weaker than we realize because we don’t understand the confessions and doctrine.  Set new standards in teaching.  Understand the word “catechesis” and practice that art.  – J. I. Packer to pastors

 
A catechism is a summary of Christian doctrine put in the form of questions and answers.

One excellent catechism resource is Training Hearts, Teaching Minds by Starr Meade

 

3.      Talking at the table together – the family table.

 

Perhaps the most underrated means to forming one another in Christ the family table.  Sharing a meal together as a family has fallen on hard times, and we are suffering the consequences.  Recover one of the most basic, most ancient ways of sharing life together – eating together dailiy – as a means of spiritual formation in the Christian household.

Martin Luther called meaningful conversation over a meal as “table talk.”

Some of Jesus’ most important conversations took place around a table – looking at each other, eye to eye, and eating together (Mt. 26:17-29; Mk. 14:12-26; Lk. 22:7-23; 24:13-35; Ex. 12; Rev. 19).

Our conversation in table-talk may vary from the mundane to the profound.  Talk about the weather and the big game.  Talk also about the gospel and repentance and God’s faithfulness.  It should not seem awkward or out of place when we talk about weighty and substantive things.  If it does seem awkward, that probably reflects the absence of regular, meaningful conversations.  Here are some questions that may help us to form one another at the Family Table:


What was your day like?                           What were the highlights of today?

What was hard for you today?                  How did God take care of you today?

How can I pray for you today?                 How can we serve and honor each other this week?

Here is what I read in my time with God today.  What did you read or learn from God? 

 

4.         Declare His wonders to your children (Ps. 71:17-18).

 
It’s the personalizing of what the Lord has done for us that really carried impact and weight with our kids.  When wisdom from the Bible can be paralleled with a parent’s personal testimony – it registers biblical truth for a child in a way that nothing else can.  Telling your family’s tribal stories to your kids makes the work of God active and alive to them and helps them recognize that His blessings are available today.  – Jack Hayford

 
a)      Tell your children how the Lord saved you (Ex. 12:24-27).

b)      Tell your children about the Lord’s provision for you (Ex. 16:32).

c)      Tell your children how you’ve failed but the Lord forgave you (Nu. 16:38).

d)     Tell your children how God has guided you (Jo. 4:5-7).

e)      Tell your children how God has delivered you (Est. 9:26-28).

f)       Tell your children about God’s judgment and mercy (Joel 1:2-4).

 

5.         Speak blessings on your children (Prov. 18:21; Nu. 6:24-26).


We can bless through an arm over the shoulder, an embrace in a time of disappointment, a pat on the back, a whisper in the ear, a snug tucking in bed, or a kiss on the cheek.  However, the most affirming are spoken blessings.  Words that affirm and approve, words that compliment, words that speak love and affection, words that give hope and confidence, words that answer pain and disappointment with support and faith.  Life is transmitted through spoken blessings!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

How to Bless Your Children

{Sorry for all of the inserts and extras.  I don't know how to get them out of the outline!}


Ps. 145:4; Prov. 13:22; Mt. 18:1-14

 

Life Lesson:             Jesus values children greatly, so we should bless them intentionally.

 
Matthew 18:1-14 . . .

Jesus uses children as a model for our salvation (1-4).

Blessing or hurting children has great consequences (5-6).

Make haste to not hurt them (7-9).

Treat them very special – bless them (10-14).


WAYS TO BLESS THE CHILDREN AROUND YOU . . .

1.                  Declare His wonders to your children (Ps. 71:17-18).

 
It’s the personalizing of what the Lord has done for us that really carried impact and weight with our kids.  When wisdom from the Bible can be paralleled with a parent’s personal testimony – it registers biblical truth for a child in a way that nothing else can.  Telling your family’s tribal stories to your kids makes the work of God active and alive to them and helps them recognize that His blessings are available today.  – Jack Hayford, Blessing Your Children

 
a)      Tell your children how the Lord saved you (Ex. 12:24-27).

b)      Tell your children about the Lord’s provision for you (Ex. 16:32).

c)      Tell your children how you’ve failed but the Lord forgave you (Nu. 16:38).

d)     Tell your children how God has guided you (Jo. 4:5-7).

e)      Tell your children how God has delivered you (Est. 9:26-28).

f)       Tell your children about God’s judgment and mercy (Joel 1:2-4).

 

2.         Speak blessings on your children (Prov. 18:21; Nu. 6:24-26).

We can bless through an arm over the shoulder, an embrace in a time of disappointment, a pat on the back, a whisper in the ear, a snug tucking in bed, or a kiss on the cheek.  However, the most affirming are spoken blessings.  Words that affirm and approve, words that compliment, words that speak love and affection, words that give hope and confidence, words that answer pain and disappointment with support and faith.  Life is transmitted through spoken blessings!

 

3.         Establish protective boundaries.

Know your children’s friends.                       
Be the “heavy” when necessary.
Monitor the entertainment.                            
Talk with your children.
Be the watchman over electronic devices.     
Sanctify them by God’s truth.

 
4.         Create a family culture marked by freedom and fun.


Create a family culture and environment that make home life and the family a sanctuary where children can grow up in Christ.  Make your home a haven and hub of ministry and activity.


5.         Teach them how to worship God and serve others.


            Parenting in the Pew: Guiding Your Children into the Joy of Worship by Robbie Castleman

Parents teach their children how to make beds, hit baseballs, figure fractions, and shop wisely.  How are we training our children to worship God?  James Dobson says the first seven years of a child’s life are “prime time” for this training.  He asks the following two questions of parents: Is your child learning to behave properly in church – to worship God?  Is he or she learning to honor the Lord’s Day as a day of worship and rest?  Teaching your children to worship, parenting in the pew, is entering the house of your heavenly Father and saying, “Daddy, I would like you to meet my children.”

 

6.         Practice Tom Elliff’s Ten Commandments of Parenting . . .  (taken from Letters to

Lovers: Wisdom for Every Season of Your Marriage by Tom and Jeannie Elliff)


The Prodigal Son (Lk. 15:11-32) as a story about one father’s love for his family.

 
1.         Don’t allow past disappointments to alter your present determination.

2.         Practice and teach the optimistic faith view that every problem can be solved by God and following His plan.

3.         Build into them a sense of godly principle.

4.         Set the standard for forgiving.

5.         Do not dwell on past mistakes.

6.         Go out of your way to ensure family harmony and unity.

7.         Make certain that you properly respond to proper behavior.

8.         Deal with your children according to their God-given personalities.

9.         Do not overlook golden opportunities to teach scriptural principles.

10.       Be home with them.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Do You Pray for Your Pastor Daily?

The Baptist Courier, the newspaper of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, recently ran a series of very sobering articles on the emotional-mental stresses that many pastors experience.  The Courier expressed that the first article received more reader response than any pervious published article!  That is pretty amazing.

Let me exhort and encourage you to do two things: pray for your pastor daily, and encourage your pastor regularly.

The following are the series of articles:

Suicide, Burnout, and Pastoral Termination

When Pastors' Silent Suffering Turns Tragic

Reaction to "When Pastors' Silent Suffering Turns Tragic"


Pastors need people in their congregations to be the "Aaron and Hurs" holding their arms up in prayer and encouragement!!!