April 24, 2022

FAMILY MATTERS: GOD’S DESIGN FOR THE FAMILY

April 24, 2022

Scott Bullman

Life can be hard in these chaotic times. Can you share an example of a time you were so grateful that your family was close by?

We have entered a new series entitled “Family Matters.” God never changes—therefore His plan for the family in Genesis 2 is still His plan today. When He created Adam and Eve as a male and female, husband and wife, in the Garden of Eden, He was creating a family. God’s first recorded words to Adam and Eve were “be fruitful and multiply.” Later, when Noah and his family emerged from the Ark in Genesis 8, God’s recorded conversation with Noah at that time included the same words, “be fruitful and multiply.” His plan for mankind, then, was to be a family of one husband and one wife and produce children. In today’s world, Satan is using any means he can, including governments and leaders, to destroy the family. Even worse, he is pitting family members against each other so that he may destroy them from within. Let us commit to standing on God’s ways, His promises, and His strength to see that all of our family is with us on that day we stand before Him.

God’s Design for Marriage

  • Read Genesis 2:20b-24. What was God’s original design for marriage? Read Mark 10:6-9. How did Jesus reinforce that God’s plan had not changed? What does God mean when He says that the husband and wife shall be “one flesh”?
  • Read Colossians 3:1-3. What is the greatest threat to our family? What instructions does Paul give here? Read 2 Peter 1:8. How can you relate this verse to the passage in Colossians, applying the teaching to those husbands and wives who are trying to live godly lives? How does the path of our life affect our marriage? What are some fiery darts that Satan throws at marriages in this day?
  • In the verses in Col. 3:1-3, Paul uses the conditional term “if.” If you did not have a life change once you’ve accepted Jesus as your Savior, what may that mean?

The Wife’s Role

  • Read Col. 3:18. What is the Biblical definition of the word “submit” in verse 18? How has culture today redefined what God desired? In life, is there anyone exempt from being under some type of authority? Think it through carefully!
  • From another viewpoint for the husband/wife, how and why do you wish your children to “submit” to your authority as the parent? When is it your intention to trample on their tender hearts? What is your motive? Could that be your husband’s motive as well even when you may think of it as a control issue?
  • What are some examples of times when submitting to your husband is a relief to your mind, and when does it cause conflict?
  • Wives, can you accept dropping a situation even if you are in the right? Don’t ever let being right usurp your desire to be kind.

The Husband’s Role

  • Read Col. 3:19. Husbands, what are some ways you show love to your wife? What is the warning Paul gives? What are some ways in which you can become bitter at your wife? Read Eph. 5:25. How does Christ love the church? What is the common denominator between marriage and the church?
  • Why did this model for loving the wife anger men in those days?
  • What are some of the expectations that a newly married husband may have? Are these all practical?

The Children’s Role

  • Read Psa. 127:3 and Prov. 17:6. How does God view children? What “children” does this verse refer to? Do you have children in your home who are older, but still being provided for by you? Do you view them as those who should obey, or as adults making their own rules? Which is correct according to this verse?
  • Read Col. 3:20. If you are the parents of children at home, how are you teaching them to obey you in everything? How do you take as much responsibility for their minds as you do for their bodies? Why does this verse have a promise attached to it? What is that promise?
  • Read Romans 1:28-30. What are the characteristics of pagans who were not saved? Why is disobedience to parents one of those listed? If you are letting them slide with their obedience, how will they react to teachers and later, employers? Will you have to answer to God for your child’s behavior?

The Parent’s Role

  • Read Col. 3:21. What are some ways in which you can discourage your children? Were you ever made to feel unloved as a child? Are you still paying the price?
  • Read Eph. 6:4. Why would a child get discouraged if they are always made to feel they are not meeting your expectations? Read Joshua 24:15. Can this be you?

Close

A healthy family is one in which there is so much more than nutritious food! To see that your child is fed a diet of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains is great—and probably extremely rare—but is not nearly enough. In this age of technology, we are concentrating on the internal processes of the body, but leaving the processes of the mind and heart in a position to take in the garbage that is going to sow seeds of rebellion, discord, social ineptitude, and isolation from God. Yes, there are good things available on the web, just as there are on television, but more than likely those are not the programs that will excite the passions of the mind.

Because we will be in this series over the next several weeks, we will enlarge on God’s design for our family. It is the only institution God-ordained, other than the church. It is the one that is meant to raise godly children, just as the church is meant to “be fruitful and multiply” by adding disciples.  Let us be committed to getting a firm grasp on God’s perfect plan for families during this series.

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