CENTRAL THOUGHT
The family is a unit that has great influence on the society.
TEXT: JOSHUA 24:13-15; GEN. 1:26-28; PROV. 22:6
INTRODUCTION:
A family is made up of parents and children as core members. God’s desire for mankind is that parents should nurture and build up godly families that will comply with the divine mandate for creation. The family is a simple institution with complex outcomes. God has ordained it to be an influential unit of human existence.
Purpose refers to the reason for which something was done or manufactured, while to be purposeful is the art of being deliberate, determined, and focused on a given goal.
The family is an agency with divine mandate, whose existence is primary to the survival of the human race. Any attack on this institution or display of negligence by members is a direct confrontation against the purpose of God. In this study, we shall attempt to present the scriptural principles on the essence of a family so as to function properly.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
- Discuss the origin and purpose of family
- Identify the principles of a purposeful family
- List the hindrances to a purposeful family
- Give some scriptural examples of purposeful families
- Explain the benefits of a purposeful family
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHAT IS THE ORIGIN AND PURPOSE OF OTHE FAMILY?
GEN. 1:26-28; PROV. 22:6
The family is an institution, God’s design. He conceived it and established it for divine purposes. The father (male), the mother (female), and children are the core members of this agency. However, there could be others whose presence and membership in the family are circumstantial, such as extended family members, domestic staff, and apprentices. The first family in the Bible was made up of Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, Seth, and some other unnamed sons and daughters.
The purpose of the family is mutual comfort, childbearing, child-rearing, and divine fellowship. The family is the kernel of the society, the first agent of socialization, and the vehicle for the full actualization of God’s mandate.
QUESTION 2) WHAT IS A PURPOSEFUL FAMILY? JOSHUA 24:15
To be purposeful is to be deliberate, determined, and focused on a clear goal. God has a unique vision for the family. The purposeful family is one that understands the mandate of God and is focused on ensuring that such mandate is achieved. It is a family that is aiming to fulfill destiny and make a positive impact to the glory of God.
QUESTION 3A) WHAT ARE THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES IN ESTABLISHING A PURPOSEFUL FAMILY? EPH. 6:10-19; PHIL. 4:8-9
There are spirit-inspired principles in the establishment of a purposeful family. It begins with a cordial relationship with God, which is manifested in personal salvation of each member of the family, love for God, and love for one another. The right knowledge of God’s word and will, as well as thirst for continuous growth in spiritual matters are important. Being a prayerful family and the presence of the Spirit of God in the home are also important. Members of the family must be committed in their obligations to God and to His church. They should not be ashamed to proclaim the gospel of salvation in their society.
QUESTION 3B) WHAT ARE THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES IN ESTABLISHING A PURPOSEFUL FAMILY? PROV. 22:6
The family is also a social and economic institution by the mandate of God. Proper development for the full actualization of potentials by members of a family comes to mind. There must be an organized attempt at educating and training for the acquisition of knowledge and skills for every member of the family. The health and bodily well-being of family members must not be overlooked. The virtues of personal discipline, integrity, hard work, and diligence must be properly imbedded. Attitudes for the right personal relationships and being service-orientated must be inculcated from early stages of life.
QUESTION 4) WHAT ARE THE HINDRANCES TO A PURPOSEFUL FAMILY LIFE?
PROV. 24:33; JAMES 5:20; PROV. 29:2
There are attributes or behavioral styles within or around a family that can become hindrances to purposefulness.
All ungodliness, whether idolatry, immorality, or wickedness can dim the purposeful prospects of a family. Disunity, lack of trust, mutual suspicion, and betrayals are another set of habits that inhibit purposefulness. Laziness and indiscipline towards appetites and passions, poor leadership with unworthy examples and inadequate attention to needs and responsibilities in the family can result in trading of purpose by a family. Others are excessive and unbalanced attention to material success, which manifests in the form of greed and compromise of godly standards, as well as weak or total imbalance of sound spiritual background will clog in the wheel of purpose for any family.
QUESTION 5) PROVIDE SOME SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES OF PURPOSEFUL FAMILIES. GEN. 18:17-19; MATT. 1:19-21; ACTS 21:8-9; 2 TIM. 1:5
There are scriptural statements that may give us insights on how purposeful some families were. While these families may not have been perfect, they exhibited some qualities that were commended.
The family of Abraham was noted by God Himself as one where there was leadership and followership in the way of the Lord (Gen. 18:17-19). Keeping the way of the Lord is a primary step in purposefulness.
The family of Joseph, the husband of Mary, is our second example. Joseph was described as a “just man”, who was protective even if he felt disappointed. He still listened and submitted his family to the voice of God (Matt. 1:19-21).
The family of Philip the Evangelist is presented a s model is spiritual fervency and function in the house of God. He had four daughters who were all useful to the church (Acts 21:8-9).
Our final family in this study is the family of Timothy, who adorned a family history of faithfulness and pure love for God as seen in the grandmother Lois, his mother, Eunice, and in Timothy himself. It is a family that is blessed with purpose and focus that can be distinguished as such (2 Tim. 1:5).
QUESTION 6) WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A PURPOSEFUL FAMILY?
JOHN 9:4; PHIL. 1:9-10; 3:13-14
The blessings in leading a purposeful life are quite numerous, it is the surest way to walk and work in the will of God as such a one strives to accomplish divine mandates. Misuse and wastage of time and other valuable resources are eliminated, and energies are properly channeled to the point of need. This will lead to satisfaction and fulfillment. The appetite for genuine relationship with God will be reinforced for the individual.
In the broader sense, a purposeful family will benefit from the strength that results from unity, institution of divine order, and mutual support. The family as a unit will be able to provide mentorship and incubatory services to younger ones.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Believers are always admonished to develop the right perspective towards their families. The family is the agency through which individuals are recruited into the larger society. We must be very mindful of this simple unit with great influence on the social outlook of humanity. We are to tend and build it to accomplish divine mandate for the eternal glory of God.
MEMORY VERSE:
Genesis 18:19A
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgement.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MON: A prudent wife is from the Lord. Prov.19:14
TUE: Providing for your home. 1 Tim. 5:8
WED: Husbands love your wives. Eph. 5:25; Col. 3:19
THU: Children are the heritage of the Lord. Ps. 127:3
FRI: Work while it is day. John 9:4
SAT: Let your light shine. Matt. 5:16, 21