5: Wise Words for Families - Discussion Starters

Love the right woman. Of course. If it’s not the “right” woman, how can you love her? Or does it matter that much? Other women will be around. You can find one somewhere. Is that the message of Scripture about marriage? If you are a married man, imagine how you might feel if it dawned on you one day that the woman at your side is not the best match for you. Would you try to escape? What about the same situation only with a woman? If she loves the wrong man, what will be the effect on her life as well as on their marriage? How can we find the right marriage partner for us? If you have an opportunity to speak in a loving way to a church member distraught about his or her current marriage and where it seems to be headed, what will you say?
A call to fathers. Your lesson’s author sets forth half a dozen principles about giving to the inheritance of children.garnered from Proverbs 13, 14,15, and 29. Divide the class into mini-groups of two or three and see how many goals for a happy home you can reach based on these texts. These principles may not be reserved exclusively for fathers and husbands, but what are some of the qualities of the influence of a father in the home? What good effect can a father’s love for his wife have on the family’s children? Can those positive contributions last into adulthood? What can a Christian father do to make sure his heart is dedicated to God so that sex, wealth, power, and self-love do not interfere with a helpful relationship? How can the father make the right choices for his marriage?
Correction with love. Imagine a home where the typical conversation between husband and wife goes something like this: “Yes, dear. You’re right, dear.” “Whatever you say.” “We should have done it your way,” and the typical conversation with an erring youngster in the home goes something like this: “When are you going to catch on that…?” “Why do you keep acting like that?” “If you don’t settle down it’s off to the woodshed.” “No more nonsense out of you. Settle down and behave yourself or you’re going to be very sorry.” “Did that hurt? Good. I wanted it to so you’ll remember how to behave.” Now rewrite the scoldings just provided to share a strong dose of loving care.
Is life better on a rooftop? The writer of Proverbs 21 comments with wry humor: “Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman.” Do you think there was laughter when the writer shared this thought with fellow believers? What might the contending partner–male or female–be trying to suppress as he or she makes this comment? Now back to home–maybe yours–what are some ways you can work to subdue an angry spirit? How much laughter do you enjoy in your home? Is laughter always a benefit when anger shows up? When are things better when accompanied by a smile, chuckle, or laughter? A scowl, a growl, or a grumble?
A truly wealthy wife. Here’s a description of a wealthy wife in some of the concluding words of Proverbs, where her skills are listed, including clothing manufacture, buying real estate, agriculture, home, and financial management, and a caring and loving attitude toward the family. Sounds like an ideal wife and mother, doesn’t it? Maybe God doesn’t want us to start new families unless the wife possesses these characteristics. What could be some disadvantages to insisting on this description of a suitable wife and mother? Can we have a God-centered home with husband and wife who are not endowed with total Christian wealth? How should we cope with things the way they are today in the setting up and management of homes?

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Seventh-day Adventist Bible Study Discussion

5: Wise Words for Families – Discussion Starters

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