CENTRAL THOUGHT
In the triumphant family, the word of God is the compass, the holy spirit the guide and helper.
TEXT: Psalm 128; Eph 6:1-9; Psalm 127:1-5; 2Cor 2:14, 15.
INTRODUCTION
A family may be described as a group of people who are related to one another, and who may or may not be living together all or most of the time. The basic family unit consists of a man, his wife and their children. This nuclear family may be extended to include others who are related to them by blood ( such as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins), by law ( through marriage or adoption) or by constant close interaction ( for instance dependents living with them such as drivers, security guards etc.). The basic or nuclear family unit was instituted from the beginning by God when He created Adam and Eve ( Gen.1:27,28; Gen 2:21-24). He instructed them to work together to fulfill His perfect purpose for them. This is still His will for the families of today. In today’s world, however, not all families are aware of, or even interested in achieving God’s original purposes for the family. They have set their own goals, and are working at attaining them in their own ways. For those who
have come to the knowledge of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ this should not be so. Achieving the Maker’s purpose, in the way that He intended, should be our ultimate goal. Anything short of this would amount, quite simply, to failure on our part.
To be triumphant means to be very successful in achieving what was intended. In other words, it is to what we are supposed to do, the very way we are meant to do it and to do it well. It is to be victorious in spite of any challenges that may arise in the process. For a family these challenges may be present themselves in various forms and may include differences in character and ways of doing things or relating to one another; stresses arising from work within and outside the home (jobs, school, work, household activities); various difficulties common to man; societal pressures, as well as the ever present devices and schemes of the enemy ( 1 Pet.5:8; 2 Cor.2:11). All of these need to be consistently met and overcome in order for a family to be counted as being triumphant.
This study seeks to address how families can live triumphantly.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
1.To identify the characteristics of a triumphant family.
2.To know what factors serve to make a family a triumphant one.
3.To discover what lessons we can learn from families in scripture.
4.To determine what benefits are experienced by a triumphant family.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRIUMPHANT FAMILY?
The triumphant family is one in which genuine love and togetherness, mutual respect, trust, and happiness is their way of life. They relate to each other and others around them, in such a way as to create an environment that leads to joy, peace, blessings and praise. This they do to the glory of God. In such a family there is a mutual trust in each other ( Pro.31:11, Amos 3:3), with display of openness in all dealings. The word of God is central to daily living and remains the final arbiter in all matters. Therefore, all families should make it a habit to daily study and meditate on the word of God; this way each member of the family would subject his/her dreams, vision, ideas/opinion to the will of God to bring about good success.
In the triumphant family, individual successes are shared and attributed to the grace of God. Also, in times of adversity, individuals draw strength from the word of God and bear each other’s burden (Gal 6:2). In the triumphant family, segregation is avoided in that all members inclusive of dependents, helps, security guards, drivers etc. are valued as important and mutually respected (Eph.6:1-9). By maintaining a peaceful, loving home, by showing integrity, diligence in every good work, wisdom and kindness in relating to others, genuine hospitality and the like, they make clear to others the way God would have His people live in this world (Titus 2:11,12).
Q2. WHAT FACTORS SERVE TO MAKE A FAMILY A TRIUMPHANT ONE?
Certain key factors in the life of a family serve to make it a triumphant one.
-The Right Foundation. (Matt 7:24,25; 1Cor.3:11) A house built without a solid foundation is destined to fall. When the storms of life blow and beat against it, it will surely collapse. The only truly solid foundation is a life built on the Lord Jesus Christ. For a family to be a triumphant in his life, key members must have made a true commitment to Christ as their Savior and Lord. They cannot be merely “playing church” and pretending to be who they are not. Only a complete dependence on the Lord as the foundation of their lives can make them triumphant. If their trust is in themselves, their abilities, their “connections”, possessions, or any other thing, and not completely in Christ, they are heading for failure ( John.15;4-6).
-The Lord, as the Builder. (Ps.127:1).
A triumphant family is one in which the members know that their own best efforts can never be sufficient. They do not depend on their own knowledge or wisdom to build their home. They out their trust in the One who established the family from the beginning, and allow Him to be the builder of their home. They follow His plan, His timing, His instructions for their lives, knowing that any other way would lead to vain (wasted)efforts and poor results.
-The Right materials. (1Cor.3:12,13)
In a triumphant family the right materials are made available for the building of the home. These include:
a. The fear of the Lord. (Prov.9:10; Prov.24:3). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It brings God’s protection ( Ps 34:7), his provision (Ps.34:9), His pleasures (Ps.147:11; Ps. 34:15), His pity and help ( Ps.103:13, Ps 34:17).It causes one to depart from evil ( Pro.16:6b). It prolongs one’s days (Prov.10:27) and gives one strong confidence ( Prov.14:26, 27). God’s blessings are upon a home where the fear of Him is taught and practiced ( Ps.112:1-3).
b. Obedience to the word of God. James 1:22.
Closely related to the fear of God is obedience to His word. If we fear Him we will keep His commandments (Eccl.12:13). Jesus said that only those who do God’s will (obey His word) would enter the kingdom (Matt.7:21). It is those who obey Him that show that they truly love Him, and He promised to abide with such, and to manifest (reveal) Himself to them (Jn.14:21, 23). Obedience to God’s word brings prosperity and good success (Josh. 1:8). It also brings the confidence of answered prayer (Jn 15:7; 1Jn. 3:22). A sound knowledge of God’s word produces faith in Him, and teaches those who are trained by it to know the best way to order their steps so as to get God’s best for their lives (Rom.10:17; 2Tim.3:16,17). God’s word are “Yea and Amen”, so the family that is obedient to it will have victories over the issues of life.
c. Prayer: (Lk.12:1; 1These.5:17; Eph. 6:18).
For a family to be triumphant they must be prayerful, knowing that, on their own, they can do nothing, but in Christ they can do all things (Jn.15:5b; Phi 4:13). As they commit every aspect of their lives to Him in prayer, asking for wisdom, guidance, and strength to do His will, they see His hand in their lives, bringing His perfect purpose to pass. All concerns and needs should be brought to Him with the confidence that He cares and will answer ( Ps. 37:4, 5; Matt.7:7, 8; 1 Pet.5:7). There is wise saying, “A family that prays together stays together.”
Q3. WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN ABOUT FAMILIES FROM SCRIPTURES?
The word of God gives us examples of families that were commended by God.
•Abraham’s Family:
The life of Abraham was characterized by faithful obedience to God (Heb.11:8, 9, 17). His devotion to God in the place of prayer was also evident (Gen.12:7, 8; Gen.13:3, 4, 18; Gen 14:18-20). He allowed his relationship with God to affect his dealings with others, both his relatives and strangers.
-Lot (Gen.13:7-9)
-Sarah (Gen.21:12, 14)
-The king of Sodom (Gen.14:21-23)
-The three men (Gen.18: 2-5).
Not only did he live this way, but he also taught his family and his household the same things. (Gen. 22:3, 5-8;Gen.24:2, 3, 7). His positive influence on their lives was so strong, that even when they were no longer with him they continued to follow the thing she had taught them.
-Lot (Gen.19:1-3)
-The servant (Gen.24:10-14)
-Isaac (Gen.26:24, 25).
God Himself testified concerning Abraham(Gen.18:19). God blessed him greatly, and established His covenant with him (Gen.22:15-18). His descendants were blessed because of Him.
-Isaac (Gen.26:2-5)
-Jacob (Gen.28:13-15).
•Noah’s family.
In a time when the whole earth was filled with wickedness, and God Himself regretted having created man, Noah found favor in God’s sight (Gen.6:5-8). Noah’s life also shows faithful obedience to God (Gen.7:5; Heb.1:7). God testified concerning his life (Gen.7:11) when the whole mankind was destroyed because of sin, only Noah and his family survived (Gen. 7:23). It is obvious that Noah and his family members walked together to please God. God established His covenant with him and blessed him and his descendant after him (Gen.6:18; Gen.9:1-9).
•Philip’s family. (Acts21:8)
Philip was a man reputed by the early church to be “…….of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom…….” (Acts 6:3). He was one of the seven men chosen when a need for such men arose in the church (vs. 5). He was very active in the work of the Lord, obedient to the voice of the Lord, and well versed in the word of God ( Acts 8:5-8, 26-30, 35). He was hospitable-providing a place in his home for Paul and his companions to stay when they came to Caesarea where he lived ( Acts 21:8). He also let his faith in the Lord affect his household positively. His four daughters stood out as being morally upright ( they were virgins) and spiritually sound ( they prophesied) (Acts 21:9). Philip the evangelist thus proved himself to be a man whose personal life and family pleased God and met with His standards for ministers. (Titus 1:6-9).
The class should examine the families of Eli (1 Sam.2:12-17, 22-25, 29; 3:12-13; 4:17-21)and Samuel ( 1 Sam.8:1-3, 4-7), be challenged for God’s approval of families.
Q4. WHAT BENEFITS ARE EXPERIENCED BY A TRIUMPHANT FAMILY?
God’s blessing is upon the family that walks in His ways desiring to please Him. He prospers them in all things. They eat the fruit of their deeds and joy fills their home ( Ps.128:1-4; Ps. 1:1-3; Josh. 1:8; Ps. 34: 8-10). God’s hand rests upon their lives for good, and not for evil ( Ps. 34:15, 17, 19; Ps. 37:18, 19). He watches over them and protects them ( Ps. 34:7; Ps. 91: 1-8). When both parents and children stand firm in the knowledge of God, and walk in His ways, the blessings continue through their generations ( Ps 128:3, 5-6; Ps 103:17, 18). Because the parents have trained up their children in the way they should go, they have joy and peace in their old age. ( Prov. 22:6; prov 29:15, 17; Prov.23: 24,25).
The family members have the satisfaction of knowing that God’s name is glorified in their lives as He intended. (Matt.5:16). Such a family stands out as one that is a blessing not only to themselves, but also to their generation.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
If living triumphantly is a goal to be desired, each of us, as children of God, should keep our eyes upon their goal, and work to attain it.
As individuals, and in our families, we must strive to position ourselves, on a daily basis, in the center of God’s will. The word of God is our compass, His spirit is our guide and our helper.
As we in cooperation with the Lord’s will in various aspects and dealings of our lives, we will see Him giving us the victory in both the major and minor issues of life.
MEMORY VERSE
Psalms 127:1
“Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman watcheth but in vain”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday: A triumphant family makes Christ their foundation.
( Ps. 127:1; Matt.7:24; 1 Cor 3:11.
Tuesday: A triumphant family lives according to God’s word. (Col.3:16-21).
Wednesday: A triumphant family is focused.
( Heb.12:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:13)
Thursday: A triumphant family is prayerful.
(Lk.18:1, 1 Pet.4:7; 1 Thess. 5:17; Phil. 4:6-7)
Friday: A triumphant family brings glory to God.
(2 Cor.2:14, 15; Mt. 5: 14-16)
Saturday: A triumphant family is blessed.
( Ps. 128: 1-6)