W O O D R O W K R O L L

The HopefulHome

STUDIES FOR GROUPS, FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS

B A C K T O T H E B I B L E

M E E T W I T H G O D

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From the Author

You didn’t get here withoutfamily. Heartwarming orheartbreaking, family lifeshapes and molds us.

That’s how God planned it. As apurposeful God, He has a purposefor the family. There are nosubstitutes for the family as Goddesigned it. Throughout this study,we want to review God’s design and purposes when itcomes to the family. We want to identify and celebratewhat’s right with the family.

We trust the following Bible readings and devotionalthoughts will stir a deep appreciation for your family.No, the family isn’t perfect. But God uses it anyway. Heshapes and forms people in this crucible called family.

Take time to consider how God influenced andaffected you through your childhood family as well ashow He is using your present family to make you likeJesus. Take time to appreciate God’s work in your life.Express your thanks. Let others know (particularly yourfellow family members) how much you thank God thatthey are part of your life. Experience first hand thismonth what’s right with the family.

Remember these wise words of the apostle Paul: “Forthis reason I bow my knees to the Father of our LordJesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven andearth is named” (Eph. 3:14–15). He knew family is at thecenter of God’s plan.

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The Cornerstoneof SocietyKey Passage: Read Genesis 1:1–31

“Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth andsubdue it; have dominion over the fish of thesea, over the birds of the air, and over everyliving thing that moves on the earth” (Gen.1:28).

God’s finishing touch on Hismasterpiece of creation was theformation and blessing of the firstfamily. He saved the best for last. He

created an amazing environment and thenfashioned a special kind of relationship to dwell init—the family. Perhaps because it was theculmination of God’s creation, nothing sufferedmore from the Fall (when Adam and Eve firstsinned) than the family.

As we think about what’s right with thefamily, we need to focus on God’s plan. He had animportant purpose for the family—to anchorsociety. The building blocks of society aren’tindividuals but healthy families. History is litteredwith dead societies that allowed the family todisintegrate only to realize too late or not at all

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THIS WEEK, MAKE IT A POINT TO OBSERVE THE SIGNIFICANCEOF THE FAMILY IN YOUR DAILY LIFE.

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REFLECTION

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that they were promoting their owndestruction. If the family falls, society falls.

God designed marriages to build mini-societies. He instructed the first husband andwife to “be fruitful and multiply.” Families arehuman training centers. Almost all our basictraits flow out of God’s unique mixing of ourmother and father’s DNA and the earliestexperiences in our homes. We might besurprised that as damaged and crippled as thefamily has become because of humansinfulness, it still manages to preserve some ofthe essential functions God entrusted to it.

Humans are practically the only form oflife that isn’t born capable of surviving on itsown. We arrive naked and need to be held,wrapped and sheltered from the start. Babiesare living announcements that we’ve beendesigned for relationship.

Many are saying today that the familysystem can be adjusted at will. God’s design isone option of many. What these “alternativepromoters” refuse to realize is that some oftheir suggestions are sinful, and all of themdepend on a significant part of societyremaining in God’s design. If any of these“alternatives” became the norm, society wouldquickly fall apart. Why look for alternativeswhen our Creator gave us the best?

REFLECTION

As you readGenesis 1,reflect on thefollowingquestions:

1. What are thebasics offamily designincluded inthese verses?

2. Based onyour ownexperiences,what is rightwith thefamily?

3. Could asociety madeup of mostlysingle-parentfamilies orsame-sex“families”survive?

4. Why dopeople insiston pursuingalternativesto God’sinstructionsand design?

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APPLY IT

Besides sin, other factors sometimes alter

God’s basic family design. The death of a

parent results in a single-parent family, at least

temporarily. This creates special challenges in

fulfilling basic family functions. It’s at this time

that other families and church fellowship can

step in and provide some of the missing input.

But occasional adjustments due to unusual

circumstances don’t make the original plan

void. They often highlight the value of the

original design. If you know someone

struggling to carry out their responsibilities as a

single parent, look for opportunities to help

and encourage them. Think of them as part of

your extended family!

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Answers: 1. True (Gen. 1:20–27); 2. False (Gen. 1:26–31); 3. God(Gen. 1:27); 4. fruitful (Gen. 1:28); 5. d (Gen. 1:28)

EXPRESS IT

Take some time to describe to God why you are

thankful for your family. Be honest about the

disappointments and be willing to admit your

own failures. But think about the good that God

has accomplished in your life through your

family despite any shortcomings. Ask for His

help in making your family the best it can be.

REMEMBER IT

1. God created the man and woman after He

created the animals.True/False

2. God created man on the fifth day.True/False

3. The first man and woman were created in

the image of ______.

4. God commanded the man and woman to

be __________ and multiply.

5. God created man to rule overa. the fishb. the birdsc. the skiesd. both a and b

The Real Boardof EducationKey Passage: Read Deuteronomy 6:1–25

“You shall teach them diligently to your children,and shall talk of them when you sit in yourhouse, when you walk by the way, when you liedown, and when you rise up” (Deut. 6:7).

Public school is a very recent idea.Throughout history, education has beenseen as the responsibility of the home.Even the rise of public schools was

originally intended to express the values of thehomes in a community. The original board ofeducation was Mom and Dad.

Local residents, of course, still serve on schoolboards, but the emphasis on reflecting homevalues has been seriously neglected and eroded.God’s system, however, hasn’t changed. Thoseattentive to His Word know that the primarysource of education still rests in the home.

The “them” in today’s verse refers to God’sinstructions. We don’t have to invent somethingto teach our children; God has provided thecurriculum for us to pass on to them in creative

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THIS WEEK, IDENTIFY SOME OF THE WAYS CHILDREN ARELEARNING ABOUT GOD IN YOUR HOME.

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and persistent ways. God even provides asummary of everything we need to teach ourchildren in verse 5: “You shall love the LORD

your God with all your heart, with all yoursoul, and with all your strength.”

The classroom mentioned in today’s versestakes many forms, and the times forinstruction vary widely. The point is not somuch to “tell” our kids something, as ifteaching is mostly lecturing, but to “talk” withthem. The rest of this passage assumes thatour children will ask questions (v. 20). Weneed to be prayerfully prepared with answers.If our lives differ from what they see in therest of the world, we can be sure they’ll ask.

The locations for instruction (sitting athome, traveling, lying down, rising) indicatethat we should be aware of “teachablemoments” throughout the day when events,comments or opportunities arise where wecan have conversations with our kids aboutGod’s character and purposes.

For most of us, the challenge comes as webegin to include God in the generalconversation in our homes. The trend in oursociety is to put God in the Sunday/churchbox and visit Him there. Kids will notice ifGod comes home with us. And when God’sinstruction becomes one of the topics ofconversation morning, noon and night, theresults will be memorable.

REFLECTION

As you readDeuteronomy 6,reflect on thefollowingquestions:

1. Under whatcircumstanceshave youlearned themosteffectivelessonsabout God?

2. Whatcharactertraits doesthis passagetell youabout God?

3. When wasthe last timeyou talkedabout Godwith yourkids? Howdid it go?

4. What’s themostimportantlesson youcan teachyour childrenabout God?

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APPLY IT

The underlying principle in God’s method of

teaching as spelled out in Deuteronomy 6 is

that every aspect of family life—from a

husband and wife’s love for each other to the

handling of each child and the details of

household decisions—offers kids lessons about

God’s principles and character. Take some time

for a family discussion about how God fits into

your home. Identify some ways in which you

believe you can make God even more at home

where you live.

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Answers: 1. heart (Deut. 6:5); 2. c (Deut. 6:7); 3. False (Deut.6:8–9); 4. doorframes/doorposts (Deut. 6:9); 5. True (Deut. 6:12)

EXPRESS IT

Family living is something that drives us to

prayer and then leaves us wondering how to

pray. Our kids (or our parents) can make us

feel helpless, confused and ineffective. But God

knows all about parenting. He designed family

life. Talk to Him about specific problems, but

spend time thanking Him for His presence.

REMEMBER IT

1. Love God with all your ___, soul and strength.

2. Parents are to talk to their children about

God’s commandsa. only on Sundaysb. only when children askc. when you sit, walk, lie down and get upd. none of the above

3. God commanded the people of Israel to

write His commands on their foreheads.True/False

4. God told the Israelites to write His

commands on the _______ of their houses.

5. God warned the Israelites not to forget Him.True/False

Family Is aDisciplinedEnvironmentKey Passage: Read Luke 2:1–52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, andin favor with God and men (Luke 2:52).

When God came to earth, He enteredthrough a family—Mary and Joseph.Jesus was raised as a typical Jewishboy of His time. His character may

have been unusual, but His training wasn’t. Hewas expected to honor His parents, obey God’slaws and treat others with respect. Joseph’s familyundoubtedly kept the Sabbath. They traveled toJerusalem every year for the Passover. Jesus grewup in a simple, disciplined family environment.

People often complain over the lack ofinformation about Jesus’ childhood. They wantdetails. At least part of the reason for God’s silencecan be understood by the way people think. If weknew the details of Jesus’ growing years, we wouldbe tempted to compare our childhood with His.We would tend to say, “Jesus didn’t have as hard alife as I’m having!”

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THIS WEEK, REFLECT ON JESUS AS A YOUNG BOY AND THELESSONS HE LEARNED FROM JOSEPH AND MARY.

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We need to remember that God providedjust the information we need. What mattersisn’t so much what Jesus went through as Hewas growing up, but how He turned out.Today’s verse gives us a powerful review. Infact, any parent who could summarize achild’s arrival at adulthood with the sameterms Luke used for Jesus would have everyright to be satisfied. Luke 2:52 tells us thatJesus grew up mentally (wisdom), physically(stature), socially (favor with men) andspiritually (favor with God). Now that’s a well-rounded person!

The key to understanding Jesus’upbringing is in Luke 2:51. The little phrase“and was subject to them” tells us that Jesuscooperated fully with His family. He was awilling participant. He benefited from thediscipline in His home because He submittedto it.

There are many family characteristicstaught in the Bible, but we need to rememberthere’s always a balance between variouspriorities. Discipline requires cooperation,rules function in an atmosphere of grace, andhumor balances serious moments. Thedisciplined environment that allowed Jesus togrow up so well was a balanced familystructure that kept important priorities inproper perspective.

Children who increase in “wisdom andstature, and favor with God and man” areyoung people well on their way to godlyadulthood. What parent wouldn’t want toraise a child to be like Jesus?

REFLECTION

As you read Luke2:1–52, reflecton the followingquestions:

1. What doesthis chaptertell youabout Maryand Joseph’sfamily life?

2. How doesJesus’humanity aswell as Hisdivinity comethrough inthis chapter?

3. How doestoday’s versedescribeyour laterchildhoodyears? Inwhat areasare youhaving to“catch up?”

4. What areasdo you needto addressmore directlyin yourchildren’slives?

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APPLY IT

Make a chart of the four general areas of

personal growth mentioned in today’s verse.

Under each category, list those activities and

experiences you’re exposing your children to in

hopes of fostering growth in those areas. Think

of other activities, or perhaps if there is a

neglected category, begin to plan how you can

offer your children opportunities to experience

the full and balanced process that Jesus knew.

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Answers: 1. True (Luke 2:41); 2. 12 (Luke 2:42); 3. False (Luke 2:43);4. d (Luke 2:44–46); 5. three (Luke 2:46)

EXPRESS IT

Use those four areas (wisdom, stature, favor

with man, favor with God) as an outline for

praying for your kids or grandchildren. (If you

don’t have children, pray for nieces and

nephews, friends’ children or even children at

your church.) Ask God for wisdom in providing

them with the necessary and right experiences

to foster growth in each of those areas.

REMEMBER IT

1. Joseph and Mary went to the temple for the

Feast of the Passover every year.True/False

2. Jesus was ________ years old when He went

to the Feast with His parents.

3. Jesus told His parents He was going to the

temple courts.True/False

4. Joseph and Mary looked for Jesusa. in the temple courtsb. among their relatives and friendsc. in Jerusalemd. all of the above

5. After _____ days of searching, Jesus’ parents

found Him in the temple courts.True/False

More is Caughtthan TaughtKey Passage: Read Luke 15:11–32

“Father, I have sinned against heaven andbefore you, and I am no longer worthy to becalled your son. Make me like one of your hiredservants” (Luke 15:18–19).

Adversity is a tough but effective teacher.Hard times often help us rememberlessons we’ve ignored. Growing up in anyfamily fosters a large collection of

lessons, both positive and negative, that we takewith us the rest of our lives. Sometimes it takesspecial effort to counterbalance the negativelessons. And often we can’t see the good lessonsuntil later on in life.

The younger son in Jesus’ parable had a greatchildhood. Things came easy. He expected thegood life. In fact, as soon as he was old enough todeclare his independence, he did. But he didn’tstop to think about how much of his“independence” depended on his father’sgenerosity. He took his inheritance, but he didn’tappreciate it. He used it the same way he had usedthings at home. Now, however, someone wasn’t

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THIS WEEK, CONSIDER ALL THE LESSONS YOU “CAUGHT” FROMYOUR CHILDHOOD FAMILY LIFE.

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replacing what he used, and soon his treasurewas used up.

Adversity brought several assistants to helpthe young man learn: poverty, menial work,loneliness, hunger and others. Many of thelessons were humiliating. The boy began topay attention. As he reflected on his childhoodand home, he now saw things he had ignoredbefore. He might have had difficultyremembering much of what his father hadtold him, but he couldn’t forget the lessons ofhome life.

His days had been filled with lessons aboutlove, integrity, respect, generosity andendurance. He began to realize that even hisbasic survival to this point was a tribute totraits that had been built into him at home.That’s when it occurred to him that startingover as a servant in his father’s house wouldbe better than continuing his present course.He decided to apply for a job as a hired handwith his dad since he assumed he had ruinedhis privileges as a son.

What a surprise awaited him at home! Hehad sinned and was now changed, but hisfather hadn’t changed. He returned to a placethat was still filled with love and more lessonsfor him.

God has designed the family to provide uswith more lessons than we can hold. Themore we pay attention, the more we learn.

REFLECTION

As you read Luke15:11–32,reflect on thefollowingquestions:

1. In what waysdo youidentify withthe people inthis parable?Son, olderbrother,father,friends, etc.

2. What“family” wasJesus usingthis parableto teachabout?

3. What aresome of yourmostpreciouslessons“caught” athome?

4. How wouldyou describeyour presenthome as alearningenvironment?

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APPLY IT

Hopefully during this month you have

considered a number of valuable traits that are

right with your family. There are always

improvements to be made, but encouragement

often flows when we pause to appreciate the

positive. What’s right with your family right

now? How can you express gratitude where it’s

due? In what ways are you moving in the right

direction, and what will you do to promote that

progress?

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Answers: 1. False (Luke 15:16); 2. hired (Luke 15:19); 3. robe (Luke15:22); 4. a (Luke 15:22–24); 5. False (Luke 15:28)

EXPRESS IT

Ask God for help in recognizing good lessons

from your past that you may have been

ignoring. If something comes to mind as you

are praying, take it seriously. As you pray,

name each of the members in your family and

ask God to teach them His lessons through

you.

REMEMBER IT

1. The prodigal son ate the pods that were given

to feed pigs.True/False

2. The prodigal son asked his father to make

him like a ________ servant.

3. The father told his servants to bring the best

______ and put it on his son.

4. To celebrate his son’s homecoming, the

fathera. killed the fatted calfb. had a quiet family dinnerc. both a and bd. none of the above

5. The older brother was happy to see the

younger son.True/False

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Family—we didn’t get here without one.

Whether our time with family has been heartwarming orheartbreaking, it has helped to shape and mold us into theperson we are today.

Through this study in the Books of Genesis, Deuteronomy andLuke, we’ll look at God’s design and purposes for the family.And we’ll see that although no family is perfect, it is still a toolGod uses to make us like Jesus.

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