Topic: THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY IN THE LAST DAYS – Church of God Mission International – ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL 27 August 2023
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
DATE: SUNDAY, 27Th AUG, 2023
TOPIC: THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY IN THE LAST DAYS
TEXT: EPH 5:21-28; 3:6; COL 3:18-25; 4:1-2; Hab 2: 9-10
CENTRAL THOUGHT: The only way the Christian family can survive in these last days is to steadfastly Focus on Christ
HYMN: S, S & S 642, “When We walk with the the Lord”
INTRODUCTION :
The family was conceived by God after He created man. Thus, we can trace the origin of the family to God. A family is made up of the father, mother, children
and any other person (s) living in the same household with them. The Christian family can be viewed as a family where Christ is acknowledged as the Lord and Saviour. There is no doubt that these are the last days. The Christian family is facing great challenges coping with a world’s system that is getting more and more anti-Christ. These challenges are enormous, and
the Christian family must endeavour to overcome them. Every member of the family has a role to play, therefore, parents should know that the first steps
towards helping children live rightly is for the parents themselves to live rightly. This is because parents are copied by
those closest to them especially the children. Moral and spiritual character take years to build and require constant attention and patient discipline. Parents should not allow their occupation, other
pursuits, or service (even in the house of God) make them neglect their God given
responsibilities in the home. Although these days are very difficult and challenging, we must not give in to society’s pressures that erode Christian
values. We must keep our standards high, act wisely and live as God would have His people live in line with the
Scriptures. This study therefore focuses on the challenges of the Christian
family especially in these last days, and how she can overcome them.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are to:
- explain what a Christian family is and identify the components;,
- list and discuss some characteristics of the last days as stated in the Scriptures;
- highlight the challenges of the Christian family in the last days;
and - discuss how we can overcome these challenges BIBLE TRUTH : Q1a. WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN FAMILY ?
A Christian family can be described as one where the members believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ and have accepted Him into their lives as Lord and Saviour. Q1b. IDENTIFY THE COMPONENTS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY .
A typical Christian family will comprise the following. The parents who come together as husband and wife properly
married and approved by their respective families and also witnessed by the body of Christ. The children who are the fruits of such unions add to the membership of the Christian family. There could
also be house helps or relatives and others staying in that household. All these make up the Christian family. 02. WHAT ARE SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LAST DAYS? (1 Tim. 4:1-3: 2 Tim. 3:1-5: Matt. 24:5-13)
There are many characteristics of the last days that are very obvious in our
society today. Some of these characteristics as stated in the Scriptures can be
(|) Doctrine of devils and hypocrisy (1 Tim. 4:1-3). The Spirit of God has expressly revealed that in these last days
many will depart from the true faith, devoting themselves to spirits of deception and following demon-inspired
revelations. They will deceive many and their consciences won’t bother them at all
(i) Disobedience to parents, heady, high minded (2 Tim. 3:1-5): People will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents,
and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred, unloving, unforgiving and
slanderers of others without self-control. They are betrayers and despisers of
what is good. They are reckless, puffed up with pride and lovers of pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but reject the power that could make them godly.
(ii) False teachings, wars and rumours of war, natural disasters etc . (Matt.24:5-13): There is insecurity all over the world. Wars and rumours of wars, natural
disasters have become the order of the day. Famines and pestilences in various forms have been ravaging lives all
over the world. Nations are rising against nations and kingdoms rising against
kingdoms. False prophets have risen and many are being deceived. The love of many has waxed cold as a result of
the abundance of iniquity in
our society today. Despite all these negativities, we trust that God will preserve us and enable us go through
without soiling our garments. “He that endures to the end shall be saved'” (Matt. 24:13).
Q3. WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY IN THESE LAST DAYS?
There are many challenges confronting the Christian family in these last days.
These challenges may be in the form of economic, social, time or doctrinal factors
° Economic Factors: In our society today, the cost of living has gone up so much
that many families cannot afford the basic necessities of life. The economic situation in the country at the moment is
really very adverse. The prices of basic items have gone so high such that they are beyond the reach of the common man. The global economy is seriously going through a down turn. The ripple effect of this is biting hard on many
average families, the Christian family is not excluded. In spite of all these
unfavourable situations, God is able to sustain His own. (Matt. 6:28-34).
°Social Factors: Moral decadence is the order of the day in our society today. There are so many vices prevalent all
around us. Immorality among both the young and the old. The quest for money has led to many vices such as ritual
murders, kidnapping for ransom, bribery and corruption, banditry, Homosexuality, lesbian practices and other sexual
abnormalities are rampant but we should continue to look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith (Eph. 5:5;
Gal. 5:21; Rom. 1:26-27; Heb. 12:2).
°Time Factors: We must manage our time wisely so as to maximise its use. There are many issues and activities that
are competing for our time. We must ensure that we prioritise the activities we carry out at all times. We must
primarily create enough time for our close fellowship with God and be intentional about creating quality time for daily devotion. Time is of the
essence, We must make judicious use of our time. “Redeeming the time for the
days are evil” (Eph. 5: 16).
°Doctrinal Factors: There are many false teachers and false doctrines in our society today. It is pertinent that we are not deceived. Some people are
pursuing signs and miracles, get carried away, thereby becoming victims of the devil and false teaching. “For the
time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears (2 Tim. 4:3). “For there shall arise false Christs, and false
prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, in so much that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matt. 24:24). Every Christian
family there fore, must take heed not to be swayed by these seemingly “new doctrines” however appealing they may
be. “Wherefore let him that thìnketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). God will never lower His
standard whatever the situation. Every Christian family must ensure that they
live right and walk in righteousness and holiness at all times and in all spheres of
life. This is the only way we can remain unstained and separate from the world even in these last days. “Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth
those that are His. And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Tim. 2:19)
Q4. HOW CAN WE OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES? (Prov. 4:7; 15:16; 31:26-28; Eph. 5:21-25; Col. 3:18-25,4:1)
In order to overcome these challenges, every Christian family today must be
intentional by seeing to it that they are not carried away by the world and what it offers. We need wisdom as our most
valuable commodity. Therefore, we must get wisdom and have understanding in order to know how to conduct
ourselves in this perverse society of ours today. The fear of God must be our
watchword every time and everywhere we find ourselves. In addition, we must not be greedy for gains. A life of godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6). In the ideal Christian family,
there must be discipline and mutual respect for one another for there to be peace and harmony amongst all
members. “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Eph. 5:21).
Every member has a role to play in order to make things work well. Therefore,
everyone must ensure that they play their roles as stated in the Scriptures. The husband is the head of the home and he must love his wife as Christ
loved the Church. The wife should submit to her husband as unto the Lord. Children must obey their parents in the
Lord, for that is well pleasing unto the Lord. Parents should take good care of their children by teaching them the
ways of God. Fathers should not provoke the children to anger, lest they be
discouraged. In the same vein, those living in the family as domestic workers should endeavour to obey their
masters, not with eye service as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. Masters should treat
their domestic workers with equality and justice as they know that they also have
Lord in heaven who is watching them.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
There are so many challenges confronting the believers. They comprise economic, social, time pressure, and
doctrinal factors The Christian family must be intentional in ensuring that
they do not compromise by joining in the moral decadence that is in our
society today. As children of God, every member of the family must focus on God and ensure that they …walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10). It is only
when we continually look unto Jesus that we can become like Him and walk in the fullness of His grace to manifest His glory. The word of God must be the compass of the Christian family in these
last days. Regular study and meditation on the word of God and living by it is imperative if we must pass through this
crooked and perverse generation without being swallowed up by the evil of the day. The enabling power of the Holy Spirit will guide us at all times, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE :
2 Peter 3:17
“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the
wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
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