Family Worship – Beginning Family Devotions
As you live out a Christ-like example for yours kids, you need to begin some sort of family devotions. How do you start this? And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a…
What Is Marriage? (Ephesians 5:31-32)
Societal collapse Virtually every problem in our society can be traced back to the breakdown of marriage. Poverty, violence, incarceration, education, grades, depression, suicide, risky sexual behaviors, etc. are all directly tied to the breakdown of marriage. We all know this to be true. However, how can you fix something that you cannot even define? Confusion Over the last decade our society has debated marriage, traditional vs. marriage equality. The arguments made before the Supreme Court made one thing clear,…
Family Worship – How to Disciple
Assuming that you have a good relationship with your children, how do your disciple them? And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as…
Follow Me (John 21:18-25)
Jesus tells Peter how he will die. Peter then wants to know how John will die. Jesus’ answer is very thought provoking and challenging. We want to know the future Like Peter, we all want to know the future. We can set our focus on what tomorrow holds. However, Jesus instructs us in Matthew 6 to not worry about tomorrow. Our focus is to be on following Jesus today. We want hidden knowledge We all like to know things that…
Family Worship – Where to Begin (Part 3)
Last week we looked at what not to do; this week we look at two very positive examples of discipling adult children. And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance…
Peter’s Restoration (John 21:15-18)
Jesus now focuses on restoring Peter. It is absolutely remarkable how thorough Jesus is in establishing Peter’s repentance and bringing about his full restoration. Peter’s pride Jesus has tremendous insight into Peter’s sin. While we would naturally assume that Peter’s sin was denying Christ, Jesus knows that his sin runs far deeper than that. Peter’s sin is pride. He has confronted Jesus for saying things that he did not think would happen. He has boasted that he would die for…
Family Worship – Where to Begin (Part 2)
It is easiest to begin discipling a child when they are an infant, but how do you begin when your children are older? And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife. Then his father and his mother said…
No Longer a Fisherman (John 21:1-14)
The disciples have still not figured out what to do with the fact that Jesus has risen again from the dead. Return to fishing When Jesus first called the disciples, they left their family business of fishing. They literally left everything behind to follow Jesus. Now that Jesus has risen again, they go back to fishing. It is as if the magnitude and implications of the resurrection have not affected them at all. A familiar miracle The disciples have seen…
Family Worship – Where to Begin (Part 1)
Discipling our children is a monumental task. Where do you begin? At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is…
The Blessing of Faith Without Sight (John 20:24-31)
When Jesus first appeared to the disciples, Thomas was gone. He now returns to find the disciples excited because they say Jesus has risen from the dead and appeared to them. Thomas’ Skepticism Thomas is extremely skeptical of the disciples’ claims; for this reason he is sometimes called “Doubting Thomas.” Before we ridicule him we need to consider that his reaction is the normal reaction for most human beings. The claim that a dead man by his own power chose…
Family Worship – Preparation (Part 2)
We pick up this week where we left off last week. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God…
Condemnation and Forgiveness (John 20:19-23)
Jesus meets with the disciples after His resurrection. Joy and Peace When Jesus came into the room and they were assured of His resurrection the disciples were filled with joy. Jesus greeted them with the standard Jewish greeting of the time, an extension of peace. When we believe in Jesus’ resurrection our lives are filled with joy and peace. Sent out with the Gospel in the power of the Spirit Just as Jesus was sent into the world to save…