Gtcotr/ss090912
Conclusion
of:
Week 13 – Personal
Growth & Discipleship - Continue
Memory Verse: 1Timothy 4:16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.
Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who
hear you.
John 8
31 Then Jesus said to those
Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples
indeed.
32 And you shall know the
truth, and the truth shall make you free."
2 Timothy 3:14 But you must
continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from
whom you have learned them
Quiet
Time Bible Reading Prayer Meditation
Fasting
The
First Class -
Family Growth & Discipleship
The
topics we will cover for the next 10 weeks will considered in light of their
direct relationship to the Family. It is reasonable to accept the notion that
all truth runs parallel. Therefore each subject we discuss will not only be a
critical key to building and maintaining the Family but it will also be a
principle which will work in other areas of life as well.
Many
of the concepts which work to build, restore and maintain strong and healthy
relationships within the family structure will also serve to strengthen and
sustain relationships in the workplace, in school, social settings and at
Church. The Bible teaches but one path to success.
While there may be many steps along that path, those same steps will bring
success in every situation to which they are applied.
Week 1
The
first key to building a strong and healthy Family is - Commitment
Memory Verse: Job 36:11 If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend
their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.
There
are three major areas in life to which we must commit. These are in the order
of their priority.
1.
A commitment to God as His Word dictates
In
July of 1980 Brenda and I had been married 7½ years and had two children under
3 years old. Although we had a strong desire to build our family God’s way, the
pressures of life often led to arguments which left us at odds with one
another.
Both
Brenda and I possess strong temperaments and it didn’t help that we came to our
marriage expecting different things. We never discussed it before we got
married but later I realized that I had expected to be “in charge” … well … so
did she.
I
was raised in a family who said, “We’ll ask your dad.”
She
was raised in a family who said, “We’ll ask your mom.”
These
are two very different dynamics which had created two very different expectations.
Although neither of these family models seemed to cause problems in our
parent’s relationships, put them together under one roof and decisions often
became points of argument. Even when we agreed, at times the process of
discussion felt continuous because neither of us liked the feeling that we were
being told what to do by the other.
It
was the classic problem of control, or lack thereof. We both had opinions and
for some reason she felt her opinion was a good as mine … of course, I was not
of that opinion … you can imagine the occasional conflict. We often argued over,
(loudly discussed), what our problem was but we had no one bigger or louder
than us to help solve it.
We
loved God, attended Church, were serious about our relationship with Jesus,
read the Bible and prayed every day, and were deeply desirous of raising our
children in a good and Godly family. However, it was not certain that we were
going to make it much longer if we did not quit hurting each other during these
“loud discussions”.
I
remember the moment, exactly where we were, what we were doing and how we
approached the subject. No doubt God had heard the cry of our hearts and knew
what we needed. No doubt the Holy Spirit set us up and gave us a
non-threatening moment in which we both felt we could let our guards down
without fear of the other taking unfair advantage. After 7 years of marriage,
we had trust issues – not only with one another … but also with God. And:
If we don’t trust God, how can we ever truly trust anyone else?
Early
that day, after our individual prayer and quiet time, while the kids were still
asleep, Brenda and I had some time to talk. We both shared what we wanted in
life and agreed that God’s way was the only way for us. Then, prodded by the
Holy Spirit, we took hands and both made a vow to God and to each other. Our
commitment was this:
Without
regard as to when, where, under what circumstances or who God uses to bring it
forth, anytime the Word of God is spoken or otherwise comes into mind, we each
individually and both in agreement, will immediately submit without question,
compromise or further consideration, even if it is spoken by the other. We
further committed to never use the Word as a whipping post or as a weapon to
merely justify our actions or get our way.
We
each made a serious, lifelong personal commitment to the Word of God as final
authority. With this one commitment we brought God into the center of our
marriage. More than just being my opinion verses hers, we ceased our harmful
arguments, getting angry or self protective and speaking hurtful words to each
other - why … because the Bible says, “Life and death are in the power of the
tongue … speak that which is good …”
It’s
amazing the volume of scriptures which will come to your mind when you are
genuinely willing to listen and submit. I had never before realized just how
much of the Word I had been excusing and dismissing during pressured moments of
life. God had always been right there, trying to direct me and get me to trust
Him and do things His way … it was just that before I had not been listening
with that committed ear.
Nothing
else we have ever done has had a more profound and lasting Godly impact on our
personal lives, our family and future. We made a commitment on that morning in
1980 since that time we have encountered test after test. I’d like to say that
we have passed everyone, and actually we have, it’s just that we had to take
some twice.
If
you want to build, or rebuild, your marriage or strengthen your family, the
very first thing I recommend is that you make a serious and solid commitment to
God and His Word as full and final authority over every issue of life. And that
you do so whether anyone else does or not … and, when His Word is spoken or
comes to mind, simply agree, submit and trust God.
An unwillingness or inability to commit will insure continual
failure.
I
spoke earlier that there were three areas of life which demand commitment. The
priorities are:
1. A commitment to God as His Word dictates
2.
A commitment to Family as God intends
3.
A commitment to the future as God directs
If
we will obey and serve Him, we will spend our days in prosperity and our years
in pleasures.
Consider
getting alone with God or together with your spouse and make your commitment to
trust God and give control over to Him.
Next
Sunday we discuss – The Roles, Rules, Rights and Responsibilities of Marriage
