Further Thought:
Ellen G. White, “A Powerful Christian Witness”, pages 35-39; “Attitude Toward an Unbelieving Companion”, pages 348-352, in The Adventist Home; “Ministry of the Home”, pages 349-355, in The Ministry of Healing; “The Ambassadors From Babylon”, pages 340-348, in Prophets and Kings.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
The power of the home in evangelism. “Far more powerful than any sermon that can be preached is the influence of a true home upon human hearts and lives. … “Our sphere of influence may seem narrow, our ability small, our opportunities few, our acquirements limited; yet wonderful possibilities are ours through a faithful use of the opportunities of our own homes”. – Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, pages 352, 355.
Discussion Questions:
- Ask anyone in class if it were the influence of someone’s home that helped them make a decision for Christ. Discuss just what it was that made such an impression. What can the class learn from that experience?
- In what practical ways can you as a class minister to a family with an unbelieving spouse?
- As a class, talk about some of the pressures in the home that work against faith. Write up a list of some of these things; then across from them, write down possible solutions.
- The private lives of Christians are a means of witness to children, unbelieving spouses, other relatives, and visitors. While faith sharing at home may not always be as complete as one would like or result in the conversion of relatives and visitors, imperfect family members seek to point the way to a perfect Savior. Through generous hospitality expressed in the Savior’s name, they bring within the realm of grace all whose lives they touch. Think about the influence of your home on those who come to visit. What could you do to make it a better witness of faith for all who step within your doors?
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The lesson study this week has reinforced the idea that a lot of the Gospel is played out in the context of family and friends. This is where the "the rubber hits the road" where the Gospel must go beyond the cerebral discussion of doctrines and articles of faith, and become a daily practice.
Families are not perfect. Our children have tantrums, our spouses can be bad-tempered, and our parents demanding. The test of our Christianity is how we respond in this real world of human interaction. I can still hear the door being slammed by my daughter at 1 am after we had had a bit of a discussion about the time she had promised to be home. And that was 25 years ago! I just hoped the neighbors did not hear it.
Tonight, my daughter and her family are coming to our place for supper. I'm cooking. Our grandsons are nudging into their teens and our daughter and her husband are the ones who are having to put up with teenage tantrums as they struggle to come to terms with their hormones. It's deja vu and payback time. But in reality, the struggle of family interaction continues, and the responsibility of sharing the love of Jesus remains as necessary as ever.
We sometimes use the term "Social Gospel" with derision, yet it is in the social context of family and friends that the Gospel must be practiced. It requires tough persistent love, patience, and endurance. Why do you think 1 Cor 13 is such a powerful statement of the gospel - especially for families?
PS The menu tonight is thick vegetable soup, freshly baked bread, and my special vegan chocolate-almond ice-cream on waffles!
All through the Bible, God uses parental love to illustrate His love. Abraham's love for his son Isaac and his readiness to sacrifice him is a small but forceful example of the love of our heavenly Father as seen on Calvary. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son on Mount Moriah even as God gave His Son on Mount Calvary.
The Psalms portrays God's love in tender words: "As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him" (Ps. 103:13).* And the prophet adds, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast... ? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" (Isa. 49:15, NIV). The parable of the lost son and the loving father stands forever as a classic example of God's enduring love for His children.
The Bible also uses marital love to illustrate God's love. For example, that's the message of the whole book of Hosea. And the book of Ruth teaches us about the heavenly Kinsman redeeming the one He loves. Then there are the wedding parables of Jesus, and the apocalyptic images of the Bride, the wife of the Lamb; and there are count less other examples in the Bible.
Family evangelism is such a powerful tool!