In his popular Bible paraphrase The Message, Eugene Peterson uses “message” wherever the biblical word for “gospel” appears. The good news about Jesus is truly the message still needed by the world today. Christian families are called to experience it together and to share it in whatever culture they live.

How would you summarize “the message” using the following texts? Matt. 28:5-7; John 3:16; Rom. 1:16-17; 1 Cor. 2:2; 2 Cor. 5:18-21.

Missionaries

The earliest news the disciples ran everywhere with was of the resurrection of Jesus. Christian families today join a long line of runners proclaiming, “He is risen,” as He said (Matt. 28:7, NKJV). The reality of His resurrection makes credible everything else Jesus said about Himself, about God and His love for sinners, about forgiveness, and about the assurance of eternal life by faith in Him.

Passionate about the gospel. Scripture gives glimpses of the gospel’s sweeping effect on the lives of Jesus’ early followers. They opened their homes for Bible study; they prayed and ate together, shared money and resources, and took care of each other. Whole households embraced the message. Were they suddenly flawless people? No. Were there some conflicts and discord among them? Yes. But somehow these followers of Christ were different. They acknowledged their needs for God and for each other. They put a priority on unity and harmony at home and at church, endeavoring to fulfill the Gethsemane prayer of Jesus (John 17:20-23). They witnessed to each other and to unbelievers with boldness, even putting their lives at risk for their beliefs.

So must it be for us. Even in the current age, jaundiced as it is toward godly things, people who are excited about something still get a hearing. The Spirit longs to fill human hearts with excitement about the gospel. When the good news really becomes as good in our hearts as it is within the Word, sharing will be spontaneous and unstoppable.

Amen!(0)

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You can view an in-depth discussion of “Families of Faith” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. You may download an MP4 video file, and audio file or a PDF lesson outline from the HopeSS site.

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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What crisis of faith developed in Israel after Joshua and his peers died? Judg. 2:7-13.

Abraham

Studies of how values and beliefs in organizations such as churches are transmitted to subsequent generations show that the founders have very high levels of commitment to the beliefs. They were the ones who first championed them. Within a generation or two, many lose sight of the principles behind the values. They may go along with the organization, but often from habit. In subsequent generations, habits tend to crystallize into traditions. The founders’ passion is no longer present.

It has been said that God has no grandchildren, only children. What do you think that means? See also John 1:12-13; John 3:7; 1 John 5:1.

A common approach to transmitting values through long generations of Christianity has been for older ones simply to tell the youth what they believe. Learning what one’s parents believe or what the church believes is not personal faith however. Being a Christian is more than belonging to an organization with a history and a dogma. True faith isn’t something genetic, isn’t something that is passed on naturally from one generation to another. Each one needs to know Christ for himself or herself. Parents can do only so much. The church as a whole, and parents in particular, need to do all they can to create an environment that will make young people want to make that right choice, but, in the end, a generation is saved or lost for the gospel one person at a time.

Amen!(0)

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Our memory text this week, has us looking to Jesus as does
Hymn 507, “Moment by Moment”. With Jesus guiding us, the cultural changes that challenge us, should not have great sway as we sing 
Hymn 301, “Nearer, Still Nearer”.

Sunday’s study instantly shows us 
Hymn 600, “Hold Fast Till I Come”. With this in mind, we will go forward and
“Tell It to Every Kindred and Nation”, Hymn 202 (Hail Him the King of Glory) as is told in the story of Peter and Cornelius.

We need God’s abundant blessings on our families to sustain us through seasons of change. We pray this in
Hymn 650, “Our Father, by Whose Name” and 
Hymn 654, “Lord, Bless Our Homes”.

Commitment is the main word in Wednesday’s lesson: 
Hymn 634, Come, All Christians, Be Committed”.

We are the “Twenty-First-Century Runners” (Thursday) who are to
“Go, Preach My Gospel”, Hymn 378.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Amen!(0)

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1. Hold Fast what is Good. The title of this week’s lesson could be, “Families in the whirl of cultural change.” It’s certainly true, as the lesson author points out, that any church member who ventures forth on a mission assignment confronts cultural differences and needs to learn how to minister to those with such differences. Cultural differences abound. How do we keep from judging them as harmful or just plain wrong? How can we accept and minister to people from cultures that are different in a striking way from those arising from our background? How sure are we that “our” culture is the “right” one in every dimension? 

Amen!(0)

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