Sabbath: Wise Words for Families
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Prov. 5:3-14; Matt. 19:5; 1 Cor. 7:3-4; Prov. 13:22; Prov. 14:26; Prov. 17:22; Prov. 23:13; Prov. 31:10-31.
Memory Text: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV).
Whatever phase of life we are in now, we all, of course, started out with a mother and a father, regardless of the kind of relationship, if any at all, that we had with them after our birth. On the other hand, some people, other than having siblings or other relatives, never have a family of their own, other than the one they grew up in.
Whatever our situation, whatever our phase of life, the book of Proverbs contains a combination of instructions, poems, questions, and wise sayings. Family relationships are directly addressed, and other words of wisdom can be applied to the home. Proverbs is, in fact, cast as a family document in which keys to a godly life are handed down from parent to child. Just as parents might write a letter of advice to a son or daughter going to college, setting up their separate dwelling, or taking a job away from home, so Proverbs is addressed from father to son: “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother” (Prov. 1:8, NKJV). Deuteronomy directed parents to share their convictions with the next generation. This is what Proverbs does. In the father’s summons, we hear the voice of the heavenly Father calling us to learn.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 4.
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I can remember being in love for the first time. She sat on my knee and looked at me with her twinkling laughing eyes, and my heart melted. She was eight and I was nine. Wow, what an experience. Life moved on and we both grew up and in the grand scheme of life, we have completely lost contact with one another. Ten years later I met another woman, Carmel, who also melted my heart and that relationship moved on to engagement and marriage, children and grandchildren. The "wow factor" expanded to looking after sick kids, managing erratic teenagers, surviving retirement, and looking after aging parents and in-laws. What a collection of family relationship experiences! Anyone would think that would make me an expert. However, I feel that the whole family experience is like a well-worn overcoat. Worn shiny in patches though use, the stitching a bit undone in places, the buttons replaced for convenience rather than matching, but still warm and fitting comfortably.
Sometimes we get the idea in lessons such as this one that if we read all the verses and Spirit of Prophecy advice and apply it all we will have a happy marriage and a great family life. But, life is not like that. In the Australian vernacular, you get "chucked in at the deep end" and you have to learn as you go. I am still learning to love after 50 years of marriage. I am still learning how to relate to kids, now that my kids are middle-aged and can think and make decisions for themselves. And that is the way it should be. None of us ever reach the life platform that says, "Arrived".
Jesus said:
At The of 57 if have expirience some families even of my age mate who doesn't have vision or option in their live. Thank God that He has enable me to bring my family of us two and 9 childrent together with amission.
Those who work out God’s will (which is founded in his love) in their lives are perfected to the glory of God. This was the experience of Jesus as pointed out in Hebrews 2:10. As the Hebrews fought to obtain the Promised Land, so too must we fight to claim ours. There will be giants, strongholds and fierce battles – the worst of which will be with self – but as we put our trust in the Captain of our Salvation, we will overcome by his blood, through which God demonstrated his love for us. As has been pointed out (Mathew 28:20), he will never leave or forsake us as we strive to follow him. We are weak, but he is strong.
"None of us ever reach the life platform that says, "Arrived"."
This is especially true is making a marriage relationship work. It is always WORK IN PROGRESS, requiring daily re-commitment. It is the work of a lifetime.
For the individual, #purposefulliving should be the goal. Discovering and fulfilling a mission beyond the mundane, a God-given mission. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations" -Jeremiah 1:5
A #purposefulfamily results from #purposefulliving individuals. A family with a purpose and mission, that blesses others. A little heaven here on earth.
"In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” -Genesis 22:18
May we be willing to put in the hard work that is required, amen!
Thank you Charles, yes, being in a relationship with the LORD gives us a reason for being on this planet for enduring to the end and that is to show the Universe that He is worthy to receive glory, honour and power. Rev 4:11
My Elder am happy to read your comment here. We are one large family.
Let us continue to demonstrate our God-given purpose in our families...
Everybody wants a happy home. And most people want a purposeful home—a home with a mission and destiny beyond the mere satisfaction of our own daily desires. We want homes where each person flowers rather than fades. Homes with the aroma of respect rather than the odor of continual belittling. Homes with laughter instead of bitterness, eye to eye conversations instead of sporadic comments, peace instead of conflict, a sense of common mission instead of festering introversion.
The importance of family life in society and church can scarcely be exaggerated. O how crucial in the development of a child's personhood is the life of his family. And not only little children—but also the lives of husbands and wives are made more or less fruitful by their experience at home. We want a happy home and a family with a purpose and a mission.
A family that worship God with all your mind and soul...
A little heaven in our homes is our daily prayer. A home is where our imperfections are perfectly accepted. Families must continue to study the word of God daily in order to enhance spiritual growth.
There are blessings to families that seek the face of God together.
Dear mum and dad,
Mum a wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tear it down with her own hands.
Mum your excellent and you are crown of our dad, but if you shame dad, you are rottenness in his bones.
Mum, you are beautiful but if you lack direction you are like a ring of gold in swine's snout.
Dad do not exasperate your children, so they do not lose heart.
Dad correct your children and they will give you comfort.
Dear my brothers and sisters,
Listen to dad's instructions and do not forsake mum's teachings.
Listen to dad who begot you and do not despise mum when she is old.
Do not mock mum and dad, if you do so, the raven of the valley will pick out your eyes and young eagles will eat them.
If anyone curses or strikes mum or dad, he or she shall surely be put to death.
....wise words from the Bible. Rephrased by Cyrus.
Family is complicated at the very least. We all grew up in some sort of family arrangement. Some family arrangements are not so conducive to healthy growth, leaving scars and setting in place tough barriers to healing to surmount
This is why in our churches we need to practice principles designed to bring our broken selves to wholeness: being non judgmental, patience, prayerful, trustworthy, and able to keep secrets and refrain from criticism. To always put the best spin on another person's life and motives.