Living and Growing in the Family of God
Living and Growing in the Family of God
I. Wisdom and Foolishness
Prov. 1:1-7
II. Blessings and Consequences
Proverbs 2
(see also: Ps. 19; Jn. 1)
A study of the Bible’s wisdom literature
(see also: Gen. 1-2:3; Ps. 90:12; Eph. 5:15-16; Gen. 2:18-25)
Last week we defined “wisdom” as
a. won’t help me with what I really need to know in life.
b. will show me how God is in everything in my world.
c. will prove to me how foolish everybody else is but me.
A. What is wisdom? (vs. 7)
1. “The __________ of living.”
the __________ of living,
avoidance of _________________,
the _______ of the Lord,
a saving relationship with ______________.
What is Hedonism?
2. The avoidance of ___________________.
3. Having the __________ of the ______________.
Can a Christian also be a Hedonist?
4. Knowing _________________ as Lord.
B. Learning Wisdom (vs. 2-3)
1. Yada – to
What is “built in” to all of creation?
I need more than a knowledge of nature and man to live
wisely, I need:
What are consequences?
Application:
Application:
2. Bin – to
#1
I need to grow ______________ in my understanding.
Application:
#2
3. Laqach –
What will I ______ with wisdom?
Application:
Do I really want to live wisely?
#3
Why wouldn’t I?
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289
Living and Growing in the Family of God
III. Marriage
Proverbs 24:3-4
Living and Growing in the Family of God
IV. Christian Singleness
Proverbs 18:22
(see also: Gen. 2:18; Prov. 6:10-11; 12:4, 11-12; 20:4; 21:9, 19; 24:1;
Eph. 5:22-33)
If wisdom is the skill for living
a) obviously we can figure this all out as we go along.
b) Oprah tells us all we need to know.
c) we need to live our own lives out of God’s Word.
I. The Biblical Meaning of Marriage
God created man for ____________________.
God ordained that marriage should be _________ and
have a _________________.
What is God’s purpose for marriage:
1) h_________ness, 2) pro___________________,
3) a strong ch___________ which supports
the comm____________.
But serving the ___________ replaces God’s purpose
for marriage.
What does Christian marriage have that nonChristian
marriages do not have?
(see also: Prov. 31; 2 Cor. 6:14; 1 Pet. 3:7)
The single resource from which strong, Christian marriages
come from is:
a) the ability to take life seriously after the wedding vows are
taken.
b) the wife’s ability to change her new husband.
c) the mature Christian single.
I. Christian singleness is the training ground for marriage.
A. Parallels:
1)
2)
3)
B. Preparation:
II. What should you be doing now?
A. Practice c_____________________.
II. The Proverbial Method for Marriage
(Choose one) Marriage is like (owning/building) a house.
B. Practice g___________ roles.
Men:
Proverbs’ teaching about the wife:
Women:
Proverbs’ teaching about the man:
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289
Am I building my future by the wisdom of God?
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289
Living and Growing in the Family of God
Living and Growing in the Family of God
Engagement and Wedding
Marital Roles and Relationships
Part 1: Man in Relation to His God
Titus 2
(see also: Prov. 3:5-8; Eph. 5:33; 1 Jn. 2:16)
Living covenantally
a) means promising God you’ll always be good.
b) your home resembles a nunnery.
c) all parts and stages of your life are lived coram Deo.
Bottom line:
________ and ___________ a young couple
begin their marriage bond should be
according to the ______________ of God.
I. A Quick Survey of Titus 2
A. The pastor –
B. Older men –
C. Older women –
D. Young men –
E. All of us –
II. Applications
A. Looking for a partner –
B. When closing in on a potential partner –
C. When approaching the wedding day –
1)
2)
Am I living all of life coram Deo?
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289
Genesis 2:4-17
(see also: Gen. 5:1; 10:1; 11:10, 27; Mt. 19:4-5; Rom. 1:19-20; 5:1221; 1 Cor. 11:7-9; 15:22, 47; Eph. 5:22-24; 1 Tim. 2:12-15)
Just as there are guidelines for relationships among singles
there are guidelines for r__________ and r___________________
within a Christian marriage.
The opening chapters of Genesis are a ____________ from God.
All creation was made with a _______________ character.
The Bible does not teach us the “how”,
it teaches us the “________”.
Foundational Principles:
1) The Bible uses the term ________ to describe the human race.
Gen. 1:27-28 teach that man and woman are e___________
before God in terms of imagehood, value, rule and
responsibility in the world and the eternal inheritance from
God.
2) Gen. 2:7 teaches that the man was made _____________.
and in Gen. 2:15-17 God establishes a r_______________
with the man.
Adam was the h________ of the first covenant,
C_________ is the head of the new covenant.
The man in marriage represents Christ in the home.
1)
2)
3)
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289
Living and Growing in the Family of God
Living and Growing in the Family of God
Marital Roles and Relationships
Part 2: Man in Relation to His Woman
Genesis 2:18-25
Sarah’s Daughters
(see also: 1 Chron. 12:22; Ps. 116:14, 18; 146:5; 2 Cor. 10:5)
Before we can decide whether to believe in evolution or
agree with feminists we must:
What was the man’s first task?
What was the Lord teaching the man by this?
1 Peter 3:1-7
(see also: Gen. 12-23; Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18-19)
Going from “suitable helper” to “weaker vessel”
a.
b.
c.
d.
sure doesn’t sound like the path to success today.
is actually quite complimentary in meaning.
is the reason so many women say the Bible is wrong.
all of the above.
How does a wife act out her role as the “weaker vessel”?
I. Peter speaks of it in the wife’s attitude.
What should a wife do
in an unequally yoked marriage?
in an equally yoked marriage?
What’s my application(s) in this?
What in the world does Pastor Barker mean by “conscience”?
What does the word “suitable” mean?
What does the word “helper” mean?
Was the woman (like/different from) the man?
Why did God make this woman and not some other?
What’s my application(s) to this?
Young, unmarried ladies have control in 2 ways:
1)
2)
II. Peter speaks of it in the wife’s character.
What is really meant by Sarah’s calling Abraham “lord”?
Submission means
1)
What kind of power does “yes, but … “ have?
2)
What does “obedience” really speak of?
What else was made that day besides the woman?
III. Peter speaks of it in the wife’s loveliness.
Sarah was a ______________ ________________.
My marriage is meant to be __________.
Sarah was a ______________ ________________.
Sarah was not a ___________________ ________________.
Do I live in my marriage honoring that?
This formula _____________ ________________.
But there 2 catches:
1.
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289
2.
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289
Living and Growing in the Family of God
Marital Relationships: Abraham’s Sons
Ephesians 5:25-33
(see also: Gen. 2:18f; Mt. 12:43-45; 1 Cor. 7:32-34; James 1:6-8;
1 Pet. 3:7)
Peter described the wife as the “weaker vessel” because
a) women are just not as strong as men.
b) women can’t take pressure or meet challenges as well as men.
c) wives, by God’s design, are exposed to the consequences
of their husband’s sins.
I. Let’s review some basic, biblical principles.
Genesis 2 -
Adaptation of 1 Corinthians 13
If ___________ speaks in the tongues of men and of angels,
but has not love, ___________ is a noisy gong or a clanging
cymbal. And if ___________ has prophetic powers, and
understands all mysteries and all knowledge, and if ___________
has all faith, so as to remove mountains, but has not love,
___________ is nothing. 3 If ___________ gives away all he has,
and if ___________ delivers up his body to be burned, but has not
love, ___________ gains nothing.
___________ is patient and kind; ___________ does not envy
Genesis 3 -
or boast; ___________ is not arrogant or rude. ___________ does
not insist on his own way; ___________ is not irritable or
resentful; ___________
1 Peter 3 –
II. The Gospel-Filled Answer in Ephesians 5.
#1
does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but
rejoices with the truth. ___________ bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things.
___________’s love never ends. As for prophecies, they will
pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it
will pass away. For ___________ knows in part and ___________
prophesies in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will
pass away. When ___________ was a child, he spoke like a child,
#2
he thought like a child, he reasoned like a child. When
___________ became a man, he gave up childish ways. For now
___________ sees in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now
___________ knows in part; then ___________ shall know fully,
#3
even as ___________ has been fully known.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the
greatest of these is love.
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289
Living and Growing in the Family of God
Living and Growing in the Family of God
Preparing the Covenant Home
Psalm 127:3
(see also: Gen. 2:18; Ps. 127, 128; Ezek. 16:20; Mal. 2:15;
1 Cor. 7:14; Eph. 6:4)
Review:
“Wisdom” –
All creation possesses a _____________ character.
The 1st purpose for marriage is to provide ________________.
Raising Children: Discipline & Instruction of the Lord
Ephesians 6:4
(see also: Ex. 20; Prov. 17:21; 18:2; 19:29; 20:3; Heb. 12:6-11)
Christian parents should heed the teaching of
a) Dr. Spock, Dr. Phil, Dr. Oprah and Dr. Iknowbest.
b) the latest polls regarding spanking, relating and honoring your
child’s personal space.
c) God.
I. Paul addresses the children (Eph. 6:1)
teknon –
I. Preparing for children is a matter of:
What is instruction based on?
II. Paul addresses the Fathers (Eph. 6:4)
pathr –
Positive instruction:
II. Having children is a matter of:
The father is ___________________ to see that what his child is
taught is in accord with the Moral Law.
Negative instruction:
Ezekiel 20 reminds us that these are _________ children.
A mother’s primary task:
teaching your child ______________ _____________.
A father’s primary task:
delivering your child from _____________________.
We love our children as ________ loves _________.
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289
Living and Growing in the Family of God
The Anchor for Your Family Life
Proverbs 3:1-12
(see also: Dt. 6:6-9; Prov. 13:24; 22:15; Mal. 3:10; Lk. 6:38; Acts
20:24; 1 Cor. 9:27; 13:3; 2 Tim. 4:7; Heb. 12:1)
What makes for a good garden?
a) Picking the best seed and fertilizer.
b) Assuming it will grow well because “it’s my garden”.
c) Giving it constant and faithful attention.
I. Remember the Lord. (vs. 1, 5-8, 11-12)
Living and Growing in the Family of God
Coaching Young People - Your Older Kids
Proverbs 31
(see also: Prov. 2:15; Mic. 6:8; Heb. 12:2)
Where is the word “teenager” found in the Bible?
a) All over. Why, there is even a book entitled “Teens”.
b) I am sure God’s word speaks to teens somewhere.
c) Nowhere.
I. A mother’s teaching her son: how to be a godly man.
Lemuel’s mother says to him he is not only the son of her
womb but the son of her ____________________.
Mother’s top three instructions:
1)
II. How will you remember the Lord? What are the tools?
A. Family ____________________
The spoiled child regards the ____________
but not the _______________.
The first reason you should eat meals together as a family is:
A practical blessing of prayer before meals is
a) it lets the food get cold.
b) it gives you time to size up the portions you want.
c) it helps you to teach basic table manners.
B. Worshipping with your ____________________
Your tithe
a) may be considered optional if something else comes along.
b) may be given away in any way, shape or form you want.
c) belongs to the local congregation of which you worship
and are committed.
2)
3)
II. A mother’s teaching her daughter:
how to be a godly woman.
Vs. 10-31 form an _______________. Why would that be?
What does a wise mother do with her young adult children?
What should a young man look for in a girl?
How does the father teach his best lesson?
What will I do?
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289
Living and Growing in the Family of God
Work and Leisure
Prov. 11:28/Luke 12:15-21
(see also: Gen. 3; Ps. 1; Prov. 3:9-10; 6:6ff; 22:15; Mt. 25:23)
In the book of Proverbs, the word “work” makes us think of:
a) “well, not my uncle Murray, that’s for sure!”
b) money, wealth, poverty and poor.
c) timecards, angry bosses, boredom, insufficient raises.
I. The Biblical foundation for “work”.
Stage 1: The creation/cultural mandate.
“Be _______________ and ___________________,
Living and Growing in the Family of God
Past and Future
Proverbs 23:17-18
(see also: Ps. 1; 53:1; Prov. 3:5-6; Jms. 1:16-18)
Living covenantally means:
a) living all of life Coram Deo.
b) living within the community of faith.
c) living with a sense of passing on God’s blessings
to the next generation.
d) all of the above.
I. “Let not your heart envy sinners,
________ the earth and _____________________ it;
have __________________________ … .” (Gen. 1:28)
(True/False) “Have dominion” means rule over the earth in
the name of God.
II. “but continue in the fear of the Lord …
Stage 2: The effects of the fall of man & the curse of God.
Stage 3: Restoration in Christ.
… all the day.
II. Basic principles about work
A. We are called to be ________________________.
III. Surely there is a future,
B. The opposite of this is ________________________.
What attitude of hedonism in our culture today must the
Christian stand apart from in every way?
IV. And your hope will not be cut off.
III. Why our worldview is important.
Where is my heart (rf. Mt. 6:19-24)?
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289
In what or who do I put my trust?
New Covenant Presbyterian Church, PCA, Abingdon, MD (410) 569-0289