Lesson 14
Our Family
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
DAY 1 Isaiah 62:2
DAY 2 I John 3
DAY 3 Proverbs 31
DAY 4 Romans 12
DAY 5 Romans 14
DAY 6 Titus 2
DAY 7 II John
WORD STUDY: Family
1). Using a dictionary write a definition for family.
2). What is the Hebrew definition of family?
3). What is the Greek definition of family?
MY STORY:
As shared in lesson 11, I was given up for adoption immediately after birth and placed in foster care. I was extra blessed because I had a twin sister who was in foster care with me. However, many children left in orphanages or with foster families do not have a family to call their own. My son also spent three weeks in the home of a very loving foster family, however, they were not his permanent family. When my parents signed the adoption papers, I was given a home and a name! I had been given a family and a place to belong!
GOD’S STORY:
God designed the earthly family from the very beginning of time. It is through our family relationships that we are able to better understand our God and Father. As we read through the first five books of the Old Testament, we often get bogged down with all the begots. It was very important to God for us to have a recorded geneology of families. It was through this geneology that Christ our Lord would be born.
4). Read Matthew 1:1-17. How many generations were between Abraham and David, David and the captivity, and the captivity until the time of Christ? It always facinates me when I see God's exact patterns and plans.
5) Read Mark 6:3 and list the names of Jesus' brothers.
When we surrender our life in baptism, we are given a spiritual family (Galatians 3:26-27). It is within this family that we find our heavenly mothers, sisters, and brothers.
6) For _____ does the _____ of My _____ in heaven is My _____ and _____ and _____. Matthew 12:50
7).For this reason I bow my knees to the _____ of our Lord Jesus Christ, form whom the _____ _____ in heaven and earth is _____. Ephesians 3:15
When I was adopted, I was given the family name Wallar. When we become God's children, we are also given a special name - that of christian!
8). Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antiaoch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called _____in Antioch. Acts 11:25-26
9). Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a _____." Acts 26:28
10) Yet if any man suffer as a _____, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. I Peter 4:16
11). What is the Greek definition of Christian?
The name Christian literally means "people of Christ". This is the distinct name given to God's people in the Christian era. All other names used to distinguish God's chosen were also used in the Old Testament. This is the new name given to honor Christ. We can read of God's prophecy to give His people a new name in Isaiah 62:2
12). The _____ shall see your _____, and all kings your glory. You shall be called by a _____ _____, which the _____ of the _____will name. Isaiah 62:2
Today, we should be people of Christ AND nothing else!!
When we live within a family setting, we are expected to behave ourselves accordingly. I am sure your parents had specific expectations for you to follow and a certain amount of respect you were to show towards each family member. God also has expectations for His children. I want to spend the rest of our time in this lesson studying God's plan for us towards our brothers and sisters both our earthly families and our spiritual families.
LIVE IN PEACE
When I reflect on my own children and the times that bring me the most distress, it is when they are at strife with one another. God also desires that we live at peace with our brothers and sisters.
13) But I say to you that whoever is _____ with his brother without a cause shall be in _____ of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, _____! shall be in _____ of the council. But whoever says "You _____!" shall be in _____ of _____ _____. Therefore If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your _____ has something against you,_____ your gift there before the altar, and go your way. _____ be _____ to your _____, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:22-24
14) Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have _____ in yourselves, and have _____ with _____ _____. Mark 9:50
15) If it is possible, as much as _____ on _____, live _____ with _____ men. Romans 12:18
FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER
We often have a difficult time forgiving those who have wronged us or hurt us. Frequently, we spend our time trying to find faults with that person in order to affirm our hurt and unforgiving spirit. That only serves to destroy our own souls. When you are thinking evil of someone are they effected in their day? Probably not! However, you have consumed your precious time allowing them into your thoughts and actions. More than likely you will end up with a headache or upset stomach. Why do we allow our enemies or those who have wronged us to continue doing so long after the offence is over? God knew we needed to learn to forgive for our own selves - not the other person.
16) And why do you look at the _____ in your _____ eye, but do not perceive the _____ in your _____ eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "Brother, let _____ remove the speck that is in your eye," when _____ yourself do not see the _____ that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! _____ remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will _____ _____to remove the speck that is in your borther's eye. Luke 6:41-42
There are times that our brothers and sisters give us a cause to be hurt. They are willfully sinning against you and the issue needs to be resolved. God gave us step by step instructions on how to deal with such a brother (sister). You know the old saying, "If at first you don't succeed, read the instructions. :)
17). Read Matthew 18:15-17. Record the steps God has given us for approaching our brothers and sisters. Reflect on your own ways of dealing with others. Do you follow this pattern? (question for self-reflection only)
18) Take heed to yourselves, If your _____ sins against you, _____ him; and if he repents, _____ him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, "I _____" you shall _____ him. Luke 17:3-4
19) Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my _____ sin against me, and I _____ him: Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to _____ _____ _____. Matthew 18:21-22
20) Read Matthew 18:23-35.
21) So My heavenly Fahter also will do to you if each of you, from his _____, does _____ _____ his _____ his trespasses. Matthew 18:35
SAVE THEIR SOULS
When we hear God's message proclaimed, we should have a burning desire to bring our own brothers and sisters to meet the Lord. We should also desire to rescue those spiritual brothers and sisters who have fallen away.
22) Read John 1:35-42. What did Andrew do when he heard the Messiah?
23) If anyone sees his _____ _____ a sin which does _____ _____to death, he will _____, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin _____ _____ _____. I do not say that he should pray about that. I John 4:16
24) Let him know that he who _____ a _____ from the error of his way will _____ _____ _____from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:20
25) Let's make the same committment for our family as Joshua made:
And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, _____ for _____ this day whom you will _____, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for _____ _____ _____ _____, we will _____ the _____. Joshua 24:15
26) Read Acts 16:13-15
a) Where did they go?
b)Who was at the river?
c) What were they doing?
d)Who is Lydia?
e)"The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken of by Paul". What did she do inorder to obey Paul's teachings?
f) Who else was baptized?
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
God desires that we have love one for another.
27) Therefore be _____ _____ _____as dear _____. And _____ _____ _____, as Christ also has _____ us and _____ _____for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2
28) By this we know that we _____ the _____ _____ _____, when we _____ God and keep His _____. I John 5:2
29) He who _____ his _____ abides in the _____, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who _____ his _____ is in _____ and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the _____ has _____ his eyes. I John 2:10-11
MANY OTHER COMMANDS REGARDING BROTHERS:
We are given instructions throughout God's Word on family relationships regarding brothers and sisters. This lesson could go on for pages and pages. As a brief overview of other such commands, read the following passages and note the instructions given.
30) Romans 14:10-13
I Corinthians 5:11 and II Thessalonians 3:6
I Corinthians 6:1-8
II Thessalonians 3: 14-15
I John 3:17-18 -
Galatians 6:10 -
LESSON IN ACTION:
Choose a brother or sister in Christ and let them know how much you love them this week. Ask God to show you a need that you can do good to that person and bless them.