The Commitment

“That it may go well with you”

Deuteronomy 6 & Ephesians 6:1-4 – Impressions

Context

When God established the nation of Israel during the time of Moses, He incorporated various laws and customs to strengthen their faith both as a nation and as individual families, ensuring a lasting impact on future generations. The feasts, sacrifices, and laws served as reminders of God’s role as their Redeemer, Savior, and Father.

Following Jesus’ resurrection, the formation of the church commenced. The Apostles, in their teachings to early Christians, emphasized a similar dynamic. The Church is God’s family, providing support for homes in the crucial tasks of educating the next generation and empowering parents. Moreover, believing families actively participated in Jesus’ mission through the church, contributing to the goal of making disciples from every nation.

Followers of Jesus can navigate God’s plan for His Family

by plotting the course of your family.

Steering our Families towards His Family

The Church

Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV – Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Repeated in Colossians 3:20&21)

Galatians 6:9&10 ESV – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

The Nation of Israel

Deuteronomy 6:3-9 ESV – Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Exodus 4:22&23 ESV – Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.”

Deuteronomy 32:6 ESV – Do you thus repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Is not He your father, who created you, who made you and established you?

Steering Clear of Extremes – Balancing family and church.

1 Timothy 3:4&5 ESV – He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV –  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

In the middle ground lies a balanced approach. On one side, many understandably focus intensely on raising and guiding their children, often lacking the time for active involvement in their local church. Some even reject the church altogether, preferring a home-based approach with their family or like-minded families, sometimes leading to an overemphasis on family and a distancing from those who are not believers.

On the flip side, there are those deeply engaged in their local church, trusting it to be the primary source for their kids to learn about Christ. This often results in continuous participation in church programs, but there’s a lack of follow-up at home. By entrusting the spiritual development solely to the church, parents miss out on the opportunity and responsibility outlined in Deuteronomy 6:1–9 and Ephesians 6:1–4.

It’s crucial to recognize that your family is a part of God’s family. Therefore, local church communities should support parents in their mission to reach the world, including guiding their children with the Gospel. Simultaneously, parents play a vital role in leading their children to a lasting commitment to God’s family and His kingdom on earth. This involves actively participating in and benefiting from the ministry of their local church, led by biblically qualified elders and pastors who teach and equip the Family of God.

Steering Expectations in the Right Direction

• Families Struggle
  • Timothy’s unbelieving father. Acts 16:1-3; 1 Timothy 1:2
• Families are born again into God’s Family – Acts 16 – Phillipian Jailer
• There are Tares Amongst The Wheat – Matthew 13:24-30, 37-43

Resources:

• Article: The Fatherhood of God in the Old Testament – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hia10UqFgNhuRClaRtqQsGrMvsyksjDu/view?usp=drive_link

• Article: “Church Family” Meaning in the bible and Now – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xxUhGD3y2L1My8zBvFMoSfoEGK8cHj8Q/view?usp=drive_link

For Small Group Discussion

Opening Question: What is the worst behavior from children you have ever witnessed in public? Was it your own kid?

Main Point: God has a plan to impress upon the next generation through a partnership with families and the larger Body of Christ.

Main Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:5-9

Head Questions

• Prioritize the following activities (or other activities you may enjoy) from most to least important. Why did you pick those top three?
  • Exercise / Schooling / Sports / Entertainment / Hobbies / Family Time / Devotional Time / Career / Serving in a Ministry / Home Improvement / Church & Group / Recreation / Travel / Other
• How could the principles of training given by Moses in Deuteronomy 6:5-9 also be used outside of someone’s immediate family? Have you ever experienced that?

Heart Questions

• What is one thing that you think you have done well in raising your kids? OR, what is one thing your parents did well in raising you?
• Followers of Jesus have a variety of ideas about having God as their Father. What does it mean to you that He is your Father? How has your earthly father helped or hindered your trust in God as your Father?

Hands Questions

• What role do you think the church has in our families? What is one way that your family could be supported well by the Church, God’s family?
• What is one way that your family could support the ministry of our church? 

Additional Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25                             Tips and Resources: Parenting Classes at Real Life

Additional Series Resources: 

For more sermon resources, podcasts, and other tools go to:

 https://realliferesources.org/current-series/ (www.realliferesources.org