Families Matter
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TITLE: Families Matter
SUBJECT: Family
PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will talk about how families matter. We will discuss how each member of the family matters: 1) Father and Husband, 2) Mother and Wife, 3) Children, 4) Grandparents.
OBJECTIVE: Each person should be able to state what their role is in the family as God would have it and cite supporting scripture to say why it matters.
AIM: To support and encourage each person to let them know that they matter as they fulfill their role in the family.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Genesis 18:19 “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”
2. About the Text:
1) Abraham had a wonderful relationship with God.
2) This relationship was based upon Abraham’s faith in God.
3) One of the aspects of Abraham’s life was his relationship to his family.
4) God comments on this relationship in Genesis 18:19.
5) Abraham was faithful to God in his family roles.
6) God wants us to be faithful to Him in our family roles as well.
7) God is concerned about families; they matter to Him.
8) Do they matter to us?
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: Families matter to God.
I. Father/Husband matters to God.
1. Fathers Matter
i. Webster’s dictionary defines the word “father” as “a man who has begotten a child.”
ii. How does the Bible define the word “father?”
iii. Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21
1) Nurture—encourage and instruct.
2) Admonish (Hebrews 12:9, 10)
3) Of the Lord–I.E. Not just ANY nurturing and admonishing.
4) Implications are: 1) Commitment, 2) Love, 3) Care, 4) Devotion, 5) Instruction 6) discipline, etc.
iv. When I think about good Fathers, I think about . . .
1) Joshua. (Joshua 24:15) – “as for me and my house…”
2) David. (1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:19 prayed) – “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”
2. Husbands Matter
i. Again, Webster’s defines husband as “a married man.”
ii. How does the Bible define it?
iii. Ephesians 5:25-30; Col.3:19; 1 Peter 3:7
1) Love — to the point of giving your life for her.
2) Love — as you would your own self.
3) Nourish
4) Cherish
5) Not bitter
6) Honoring
iv. When I think about good husbands, I think about . . .
1) Jacob — worked 14 years of his life for Rachel.
2) Boaz — took Ruth into his house.
II. Mother/Wife Matters to God.
1. Mothers Matter
i. Websters: “A woman who has begotten a child.”
ii. What does the Bible say a mother is?
1) Titus 2:4, 5; 1 Timothy 5:14
2) Love her children.
3) Raise her children.
4) Implications: Commitment, care, concern, instruction, discipline.
iii. When I think about good mothers I think about . . .
1) Hannah. (1 Samuel 1) — Dedicated her son to the Lord/contrast with world
2) Lois and Eunice. (2 Timothy 1:5) — raised Timothy to believe in God.
2. Wives Matter
i. Websters: “A woman who is married.”
ii. What does the Bible say?
1) Ephesians 5:22, 23; Titus 2:4, 5
2) Love her husband.
3) Submit to husband.
4) Implications: Commitment, concern, learn from Him, help him, work with him.
iii. When I think about good wives, I think about . . .
1) Sarah. (1 Peter 3:5, 6)
2) Elizabeth (Luke 1:60) — When all the other kindred questioned the name of the child, Elizabeth supported her husband.
III. Children Matter to God.
1. Children Matter
i. The offspring of a parent.
ii. What does the Bible say?
1) Psalm 127:3-5 — They are a heritage from the Lord.
2) Ephesians 6:1,2 — They are to be obedient to their parents.
2. As Adults, Children Matter
i. Children don’t stop being children just because they are grown up.
ii. Parents still have a responsibility to love and support them.
iii. Children still have the responsibility to obey their parents.
iv. Children must honor their father and mother. (Exodus 20:12; Deut.5:16; Eph.6:2)
IV. Grandparents Matter to God.
1. Proverbs 17:6 – grandchildren are a crown to old men
2. Grandparents help grandchildren by loving their children.
3. Grandparents have a responsibility to teach their grandchildren (Deuteronomy 6:1-3).
CONCLUSION:
1. God’s Family is a family in which all are doing what God wants them to do.
i. As fathers and husbands.
ii. As mothers and wives.
iii. As children.
iv. As grandparents.
2. There is another sense of God’s Family about which we have not discussed.
i. This is God’s spiritual family.
ii. It too is made up of a loving Father, elder brother, and children.
iii. Jesus once said that THIS family was dearer to him than his earthly family (Mark 3:34, 35).
iv. We want you to be part of that family today!