PASSING THE TORCH
- A study on the discipleship of our children and youth
- Norm Herr, elder at Valley Presbyterian Church
- Covenant Theology stresses the sovereignty of God, the dependence of man and the necessity of a Mediator.
How Does Covenantal Theology differ from Dispensationalism?
What is the Nature of the Covenant?
The covenant is the means by which man has communion with God.
It is a living bond between God and man wherein God pledges to be our God and claims us to be His people.
What is the Formula of a Covenant?
Genesis 17:7-9: "And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said to Abraham: As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations".
2) The relationship is a blessed relationship (God pledges to be our God, to do all that is necessary for us to have life before Him)." (Steve Wilkins, Auburn Avenue Presbyterian , www.auburnavenue.org/Home/index.html)
3) The relationship binds us to holy obligation to be His people: "In its most essential aspect, a covenant is that which binds people together. Nothing lies closer to the heart of the biblical concept of the covenant than the imagery of a bond inviolable." (O. Palmer Robertson, The Christ of the Covenants, p. 4)
What was the understanding of covenant life in ancient Israel?: "An ancient Jewish prayer (in fact, traditionally the first prayer made for the children born to a family in Israel) was that "as he had been joined to the covenant so it might also be to him in regard to the Torah (the covenant law, that he might become a faithful lover of God), to the Chuppah (the covenant of marriage, that he might become a faithful husband and father), and to good works (that he might be a faithful laborer)."" (Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, vol. I, p. 227.)
What are the two basic covenants in Scripture?
The covenant of grace (a) covers the period from God's confrontation of Adam, Eve and the serpent to the end of history. (b) In the covenant of grace, God deals with man as a fallen creature and mercifully provides the necessary redemption through a Mediator
In the covenant of works, the parties were God and Adam, who represented the human race; in the covenant of grace, the parties are God and Christ, who represented the elect of the human race. (a) Both covenants promise life and blessedness. (b) Both covenants have similar conditions required; perfect obedience was required, first of Adam and then of Christ.
What is the covenental view of the church?: (From the Westminster Confession CHAPTER XXV. - Of the Church)
- The catholic or universal Church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.
- The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the Gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.
- Unto this catholic visible Church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and doth, by His own presence and Spirit, according to His promise, make them effectual thereunto. (Westminster Confession CHAPTER XXV. - Of the Church)
The Covenant in Scripture: "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." Heb 9:15
The Gospel promises are invitations to enter and enjoy a covenant relationship with God.
Faith is embracing the covenant.
The Christian life is forgiven sinners enjoying covenant communion with His Savior.
The Church is the community of the covenant.
The preaching of the word, the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, the fellowship and mutual care and encouragements are all signs, seals, tokens, expressions, and instruments of the covenant, through which God grants covenant mercies to His people.
The hope of glory is the ultimate realization of the covenant relationship.
The Bible is the Book of the covenant and the record of history is the story of the outworking of God's covenant purpose." (Steve Wilkins, Auburn Avenue Presbyterian , www.auburnavenue.org/Home/index.html)
The covenant explains the purpose of man’s existence -- that he is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. "Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever." (Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 1 ) (Romans 11:36, 1 Cor 10:31, Ps. 73:24-28; John 7:21-23
The Covenant is organic: "The covenant is organic in that it recognizes the created order. The sin which disrupted the created order would have made all children enemies and aliens to their parents. But God, by His gracious covenant restores the created order. The covenant does not sever the bond that God ordained between you and your children, it consecrates it." (Steve Wilkins, Auburn Avenue Presbyterian , www.auburnavenue.org/Home/index.html)
"God’s creational orderings for marriage and the family have continuing significance in the purposes of redemption. The propagation of the race through the institution of marriage indicates a primary means by which God’s purposes in redemption find realization. Not by a method contrary to the structures of creation, but by a method in conformity with creation, God accomplishes his purposes of redemption. (O. Palmer Robertson, The Christ of the Covenants, p. 79)
Children in the Covenant Community
Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. 2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots round your table. 4 Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD. (Psalm 128:1-3)
"Children enjoy the privileges which come with being in your family and are viewed naturally as members of the family. This order is God-ordained and holy. How can we give them our names, our food, a room in our homes, and then view them as aliens and strangers when it comes to our covenant? We will without thinking acknowledge their right to all these lessor things (and, in fact, would be appalled if someone suggested that we refuse these things to our children) yet refuse to acknowledge that they share in our covenant relationship with Jehovah!" (Steve Wilkins, Auburn Avenue Presbyterian , www.auburnavenue.org/Home/index.html)
God views our children as His children: Examine the against Israel brought by the prophet Ezekiel: " 20 "And you took your sons and daughters whom you bore to me and sacrificed them as food to the idols.." (Ezekiel 16:20).
Jesus rebukes His disciples when they seek to prevent parents from bringing children to Him because, He says, "of such is the kingdom." (Matthew 19:31-14)
What promises do we make to our covenant children? (From PCA Book of Church Order, chapter 56-5 on the administration of baptism to covenant children)
Parents’ promises: (Q. 3. Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that you will endeavor to set before (him) a godly example, that you will pray with and for (him), that you will teach (him) the doctrines of our holy religion, and that you will strive, by all the means of God's appointment, to bring (him) up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?)
Congregation’ s Promises : "Do you as a congregation undertake the responsibility of assisting the parents in the Christian nurture of this child?" (From PCA Book of Church Order, chapter 56-5)
- How should we view the covenant children in our congregation?
- How can we best fulfill our promises to our own covenant children?
- How can we best fulfill our promises to the covenant children of our congregation?
I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. Ro 15:29
What Parents Should Provide for their Children
(a) To feel loved; (b) Safety and security; (c) To learn how to have healthy relationships
(d) An Example of a disciplined life (e) A heritage of faith.
- What was the last thing Jesus did before his ascension into heaven?
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Eph 1:3)
- What exactly do we mean when we say things like, "I bless you Lord", or "Bless this food"? What is a blessing?
A blessing is to convey a gift by a potent utterance (Genesis 1:22-28; Matthew 5:3-10; Luke 6:20 ff) (Genesis 12) The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
There are examples in scripture where God blesses us, where we bless God, and where we bless each other.
bless (OT) barak {baw-rak'}: To kneel
blessing (NT) eulogeo {yoo-log-eh'-o} to consecrate a thing with solemn prayers, to cause to prosper, to make happy, to bestow blessings on, favored of God, blessed
- What is the purpose of a benediction? What are examples of benedictions
OT Benediction: Aaron’s blessing of the Israelites: Numbers 6: 22-26 The LORD said to Moses, 23 "Tell Aaron and his sons, `This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24"`"The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face towards you and give you peace."'27 "So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."
NT Benediction: Apostolic benediction: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.( 2 Cor 13:14)
Other Examples of Blessing in the Scriptures
- What are the implications or meanings of each of the following blessings?
- What is the purpose of "the blessing"?
Christ blessed his disciples: Luke 24: 50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.
Jacob blessed Isaac: Ge 27:4 Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die."
Paul blessed the Roman believers: Ro 15:29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
We are commanded to bless even our enemies: Ro 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Principles of A Family Blessing in Ancient Israel
Elements of a Family Blessing (According to Smalley and Trent)
- From a covenental perspective, why is it important to bless our children?
- What are the elements of a blessing?
- What may happen as a result not receive a family blessing?
1. Meaningful touch
Communicates warmth, affection, affirmation, even health
Genesis 27:26 "Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come here, my son, and kiss me."
2. A Spoken Message
A misconception is that presence alone bestows the blessing; you must speak.
When God blessed the world, it was The Word that became flesh.
John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
3. Attaching "High Value" to the One Being Blessed
To value something means to attach honor to it. This is the meaning of the verb "to bless"; in Hebrew, bless means literally "to bow the knee".
In Psalms 95:6, "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;" comes from the Hebrew word for "bless". Blessing recognizes the value of the blessee. Word pictures are powerful in communicating value.
Genesis 27:28-29 Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come here, my son, and kiss me." So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, "Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed . . .
4. Picturing a Special Future for the One Being Blessed
Jewish families even today are noted for picturing special futures for their children. In Isaac’s blessing: "May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness-- an abundance of grain and new wine. May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed." (Isaiah 27:27ff)
We can’t predict the future with biblical accuracy. But assurance about the future and belief in what is to come communicates confidence.
5. An Active Commitment to Fulfill the Blessing
"We have responsibility to confirm the blessings we bestow. God himself stood behind the blessings we find in the Old Testament; so we must rely on the Lord to give us strength and staying power to confirm blessings. Words alone are not enough to bless; making an active commitment and becoming a student of those we wish to bless are essential."
Blessed to be a Blessing: Do your children or family members, and covenant family members experience your blessing?
- What happens when we don’t bless others?
- Why has God blessed us?
Ga 3:14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
1Ths. 2:8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.
"Let your children experience such a blessing from you. Rather than decide their future for them, seek to be guided by the LORD in relating to each of your children individually. He will enable you to bless each of your children so that they can be at peace inside, content, and constantly assured of your love. In this way, your children will learn to trust their parents and their Heavenly Father for guidance and direction in life." (Smalley, Gary & John Trent, Ph.D.,"The Blessing", Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville 8)
- What may happen when children do not receive blessings from their parents?
- In what ways can we bless the covenant children in our congregation?
- What are informal ways of conveying a blessing using each of the five elements of blessing.?
Loving God with our Mind: Matthew 22:36-29 (see also Mk 12:30, Luke 10:27)
36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus replied: "`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.'
- What is our mind?
- Do you sense that there is a battle for the minds and hearts of our youth? If so, describe this battle.
"And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11: 14)
"We dare not ignore that in the battle for the mind, the forces of anti-supernaturalism, of humanism and of dualism have temporarily at least won a commanding victory... The danger of withdrawing even surreptitiously from previously occupied ground cannot be overestimated. For one thing, when we retreat we become irrelevant in the world environment in which we are to witness and testify to our creating and redeeming God." (General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, May 1999)
"If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity." (Daniel Webster)
Preparing Our Minds for Battle
- How do we prepare our minds for action (battle)?
- What does the "helmet of salvation protect", and what does it protect us from?
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3: 1)
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph 6:17 )
Helping Covenant Children to Think the Way God Wants: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
- How does God want us to think?
- How can we help our children think this way?
- What are we to think about?
- What satisfies the criteria of Philippians 4:8?
Teaching our Covenant Children to Test the Thoughts of the Day
1 Thess 5: 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.
- What are we to test?
- What important issues to our covenant children fail to test?
- What standards are we to use in our testing?
THE BATTLE FOR THE MINDS OF OUR YOUTH
The Relevance of Isaiah’s message to American culture (Isaiah 5)
Context: Isaiah warned Judah that her sin would bring captivity at the hands of Babylon. Isaiah wrote this at approximately 700 B.C. Jerusalem fell in 586 BC
- Read Isaiah 5. As you read, look for the answers to the following questions.
- Why will the people go into exile?
- To whom are the "woes" pronounced, and for what reasons?
- Were the people deceived? If so, in what way(s)?
- Explain each of the following woes.
- Are these pronouncements relevant to us today? Explain each in modern context.
Isaiah 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine.
Isaiah 5:18 Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit, and wickedness as with cart ropes, 19 to those who say, "Let God hurry, let him hasten his work so that we may see it. Let it approach, let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come, so that we may know it."
Isaiah 5: 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
Isaiah 5: 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Isaiah 5: 22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, 23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent.
The "Values Clarification" Movement
"… a teacher in Newton, Massachusetts who had attended numerous values clarification work-shops and was assiduously applying its techniques in her class. The day came when her class of sixth graders announced that they valued cheating and wanted to be free to do it on their test. The teacher was very uncomfortable. Her solution? She told the children that since it was her class, and since she was opposed to cheating, they were not free to cheat. "In my class you must be honest, for I value honesty. In other areas of your life you may be free to cheat." (Christina Hoff Sommers , ÒTeaching the VirtuesÓ hjttp://forerunner.com/forerunner/X0116_Teaching_the_Virtues.html)
"If we fail to instruct our children in justice, religion and liberty, we will be condemning them to a world without virtue, a life in the twilight of a civilization where the great truths have been forgotten." (Ronald Reagan)
Calling Good Evil and Evil Good
- Give examples of how our culture is guilty of calling good evil, and evil good.
- What messages are we and our children exposed to from the media?
- Read the "Twenty-third Channel". Does this apply to anyone you know? Does it apply to you?
- Evaluate the attached TV statistics in light of Philippians 4:8
- What is the relative influence of church vs. the mass media in most American homes? In yours?
- What standards can we set in our homes regarding media intake?
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What is the Influence of our Culture on our Children’s thinking?
- What is the influence of the mass media (TV, Radio, Movies, Internet, Newspaper, etc.) on our thinking? On the normative thought pattern of our culture?
- What instructions to the following verses give us pertaining to use and abuse of the mass media?
I will set before my eyes no vile thing (Psalm 101:3: 3)
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Mt 5:28)
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 6: 22)
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. (1Pe 2:11)
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2Ti 2:22)
Helping our Covenant Children Renew their Mind
Ro 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- How is one’s mind renewed?
- What aspects of our culture mitigate against a renewal of our minds?
- How do we help our covenant children renew their minds?
Teaching our Children to Meditate on God’s Word
Eph 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ps 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Ps 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Ps 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Ps 119:15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
Ps 119:97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
Prayer for each other and for the next generation (our children!)
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9)
- When was the last time you prayed a prayer like this for your spouse? For your children? For other believers?
- How do we gain insight into God’s will?
Statistics on Television Use in America
According to the A.C. Nielsen Co., the average American watches more than 4 hours of TV each day (or 28 hours/week, or 2 months of nonstop TV-watching per year). In a 65-year life, that person will have spent 9 years glued to the tube. Compiled by TV-Free America; 1322 18th Street, NW; Washington, DC 20036 (202) 887-4036
I. Family Life
• Number of TV sets in the average U.S. household: 2.24
• Percentage of U.S. homes with three or more TV sets: 66
• Number of hours per day that TV is on in an average U.S. home: 6 hours, 47 minutes
• Percentage of Americans that regularly watch television while eating dinner: 66
• Number of hours of TV watched annually by Americans: 250 billion
• Value of that time assuming an average wage of S5/hour: S1.25 trillion
• Percentage of Americans who pay for cable TV: 56
• Number of videos rented daily in the U.S.: 6 million
• Number of public library items checked out daily: 3 million
• Percentage of Americans who say they watch too much TV: 49
II Children
• Number of minutes per week that parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children: 3.5
• Number of minutes per week that the average child watches television: 1,680
• Percentage of day care centers that use TV during a typical day: 70
• Percentage of parents who would like to limit their children's TV watching: 73
• Percentage of 4-6 year-olds who, when asked to choose between watching TV and spending time with their fathers, preferred television: 54
• Hours per year the average American youth spends in school: 900 hours
• Hours per year the average American youth watches television: 1500
III Violence
• Number of violent acts seen on TV by age 18: 200,000
• Percentage of Americans who believe TV violence helps precipitate real life mayhem: 79
IV. Commercialism
• Number of TV commercials seen by the average person by age 65: 2 million
• Percentage of survey participants (1993) who said that TV commercials aimed at children make them too materialistic: 92
• Rank of food products/fast-food restaurants among TV advertisements to kids: 1
• Total spending by 100 leading TV advertisers in 1993: $15 billion
V. General
• Percentage devoted to stories about crime, disaster and war: 53.8
• Percentage devoted to public service announcements: 0.7
• Percentage of Americans who can name The Three Stooges: 59
• Percentage who can name at least three justices of the U.S. Supreme Court: 17
The Biblical Mandate of Discipleship
Genesis 18: 18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. 19 For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."
De 6:6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
De 11:18-19 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
2Ti 3:15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Pr 3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
see also (De 17:18, 19; 30:14, 31:11)
The Importance of the Scriptures in Discipleship
2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." theopneustos, found only in 2 Timothy 3:16, where it is translated, "given by inspiration of God".
Ps 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.
Mt 7:24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Lu 11:28 He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
- Supreme love for God (Matt. 10:37-40)
- Study and devotion to God’s Word (John 8:31)
- Denial of self (Mark 8:34)
- Love for others (Matt. 22:39)
For details see: http://www.nadn.navy.mil/Navigators/wheel.htm
- What is your vision for you and your family?
- Joshua 24:15b "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
"It is better to have vision and no sight than sight and no vision." -Helen Keller
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot loose -Jim Elliot
How can a dad or mom share his/her vision with his family in the following areas?
Teaching Through our Lifestyle
- How do we share our lives with our children?
"Preach Jesus, and only when necessary, use words", Francis of Assisi.
"I wished I had realized earlier in my parenting career that children learn more from their parents than from teachers, preachers and all other sources of influence combined. I would have modeled several character qualities I overlooked as a young father." Chuck Swindoll
"Example is better than precept." (A British proverb)
• On Family Trips(Deut 6:7)
• Reading books (Ac 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.)
• Helping around the house (Col 3:23 3 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men)
• Time with Grandparents (Exod. 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.)
• Being a neighbor (Mark 12:31 The second is this: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.")
• Sickness (I Peter 5:7; 2Cor. 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
• Company/Visitors: (1Pet. 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.)
• Waiting Ps. 34:1 (I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.)
• Going to Church: (Ps. 122:1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD." )
• Trip to the Grocery Store: (Matt. 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?)
• Sports Events: (Hebr. 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.)
• Times in Nature: (Isa. 55:12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Rom. 1:20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities --his eternal power and divine nature --have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.)
• Holidays: Special opportunities for remembrance
• Birthdays: Ps. 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
• School, Learning (Prov. 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. 8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.)
• Story telling: stories about when you were a little girl or boy
Modeling God's standard of success. Children seldom ask deep questions such as, "What is the purpose of our lives on earth?" They do, however, take notice of those things which motivate us and the things we regard as important. If our focus is on worldly pleasures and possessions they will see that and assume that the pursuit of pleasure and the acquisition of possessions is the final measure of success. Children often see this pattern in our homes and in the world around them. They need to see in us God's standard of success. Note how Dr. Anthony Compolo defines success: (Dr. Paul A. Kienel, Association of Christian Schools International, "Be the kind of person you want your child to Be")"
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no-one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. (Psalm 145:3-5)
"Success without succession is failure." Attributed to John Stephens
- What were Hezekiah’s accomplishments?
- What were Hezekiah’s mistakes? (Isaiah 39:3) "They came to me from Babylon." (2 Kings 20:12-19) 16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD: 17 The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. 18 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, that will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon." 19 "The word of the LORD you have spoken is good," Hezekiah replied. For he thought, "Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?"
- Characterize Paul and Timothy’s relationship.
- Is the Timothy in your life? Have you prayed about your children as your "Timothys"
- What is your greatest desire for your children? What are you doing to see that this is accomplished?
- How many generations are listed or inferred in the following verses?
- How far back can you trace your spiritual heritage?
- "Even if I knew with certainty that the world would end tomorrow, I would plant an apple tree today." — (attributed to Martin Luther) Do you agree with this saying? How does it relate to discipling the younger generation?
(Deuteronomy 4: 7) What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? 8 And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? 9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
(Psalm 78) 1 O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old-- 3 what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. 5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, 6 so that the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. 7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. 8 They would not be like their forefathers--a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.
2Ti 1:5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Developing Salvation Assurance (1 John
5:11-13) And this is the testimony: God has given us
eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the
Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does
not have life. I write these things to you who believe in
the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you
have eternal life.
Teaching Core Beliefs (Ephesians 4:14) Then we
will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the
waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching
and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their
deceitful scheming
spiritual gifts.
Developing Godly Character (Matthew 5:48)
Practicing Spiritual Disciplines (Galatians 5:22-24). (Foster, Richard: The Spiritual Disciplines. )
Outward Disciplines: simplicity; solitude; submission, service.
Corporate Disciplines: confession; worship; guidance, celebration.
Practicing Personal Devotions, "I have set the LORD always before me." (Psalms 16:8) It is literally, "I keep the Lord continuously in prominence".
Involving Youth In Ministry
Involving Youth in Evangelism "As young people begin to share their faith with others, they will have to gain a better understanding of what they believe; they will have to find out how to answer objections to their faith; they will develop confidence as they effectively witness to others; and they will be enthused as they see the power of the gospel in action." (Mark Titley, "A Model of Youth Ministry", http://www.btc.co.za/model/stages.htm)
Involving Youth in Discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2)
Involving Youth in Missions
Involving Youth in Service (John 13:12-17)
Involving Youth in Leadership (Exodus 18:18
ff) 21 But select capable men from all the
people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate
dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over
thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens."
Disciple-making at Valley Presbyterian Church
- What steps will you take to better disciple your children?
- What steps will you take to better disciple our youth?
…but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:6
It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.
We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?
We have been recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.
But, we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied an enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father Who dwelleth in the Heavens.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN; 1863
