Topic: TOPIC: THE PURPOSEFUL FAMILY [Church of God Mission International] CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL 24 April 2022
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
DATE: SUNDAY 24th APRIL, ,2022
(HYMN: S S & S 616 “TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE”)
TOPIC: THE PURPOSEFUL FAMILY
TEXT: Jos 24:13-15; Gen 1:26-28; Prov 22:6
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
THE FAMILY IS A UNIT THAT HAS GREAT INFLUENCE ON THE SOCIETY
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:
The objectives of this study are to:
- Discuss the origin and purpose of family
- Identify the principles of a purposeful family
- List the hinderances to a purposeful family
- Give some scriptural examples of a purposeful family and
- Explain the benefits of a purposeful family
BIBLE TRUTH
QUESTION 1.
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN AND PURPOSE OF THE FAMILY ? Gen 1:26-28; Prov 22:6.
The family, as an institution, is God’s design. He conceived it and established it for divine purpose. 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, child-bearing, child-bearing and divine fellowship. The family is the kernel of the society, the first agent of socialization and the vehicle for the full actualisation 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 3(A).
WHAT ARE THR SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES IN ESTABLISHING A PURPOSEFUL FAMILY ? Eph 6:10-19; Phil 4:8-9
There are spirit-inspited 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 and should not be ashamed to proclaim the gospel of salvation in their society.
QUESTION 3(B).
EHAT ARE THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES IN ESTABLISHING A PURPOSEFUL FAMILY ?
Prov 22:6
The family is also a social and an economic institution by the mandate of God. Proper development for the full actualisation of potentials by members of a family comes to mind. There must be organized attempt at educating and training for the acquisition of knowledge and skills of every member of the family. The health and bodily well-being of family members must not be overlooked. The virtues of personal discipline, integrity, hardwork and diligence must be properly imbibed. Attitude for right personal relationships and service orientation must be inculcated from early stages of life.
QUESTION 4.
WHAT ARE THE HINDERANCES TO A PURPOSEFUL FAMILY ? Prov 24:33-34; 29:2; James 5:20
There are attributes or behavioural styles within or around a family that can become hinderances 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 absence of sound spiritual background will be a clog in the wheel of purpose for any family.
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QUESTION 5.
PROVIDE SOME SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES OF PURPOSEFUL FAMILIES. Gen 18:17-19; Matt 1:19-21; Acts 21:8-9; 2Tim 1:5
There are scriptural statements that may give us insight 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 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 as a model in 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 example 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 the purpose and focus that can be distinguished as such (2Tim 1:5).
QUESTION 6.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A PURPOSEFUL FAMILY ? Jn 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 mandate. Misuse and wastage of time and other valuable resources are eliminated and energies are properly channelled 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 APPLICATIONBelievers are admonished at all times 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 18:19 “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 judgment….”
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