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LEADERSHIP CLASS

Ministry &

Family

“…if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?”

[1 Tim. 3:5]

Leadership: Ministry and Family of 21

Table Of Contents Lesson 1: BIOGRAPHICAL STUDIES ON MINISTRY & FAMILY LIFE Gehazi Judas Delilah

Lesson 2: IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY SUCCESS TO A MINISTER Charity begins at home God uses success of your home as a parameter for kingdom rating No secret life Peace of mind of the minister must be intact To avoid dethronement What you don't have you cannot impart

Lesson 3: THE FIRST FAMILY The first Adam fell Satan penetrated his family Adam lost control of his family The family provides help or establishes hurt God handed Eve over to Adam Adam failed in family government Have you home directly under your hands Eve was conversing with the serpent

Lesson 4: BIBLICAL EXAMPLES Old Testament

∗ Noah - Genesis 6,7,8,9 ∗ Abraham - Genesis 20:7 ∗ Jonadab - Jeremiah 35:6,18-19

Lesson 5: BIBLICAL EXAMPLES New Testament

∗ Peter - Matthew 8:14-15 ∗ Timothy - 2 Timothy 1:3-5 ∗ The Lord Jesus Christ - Luke 9:34,35; John 4:42

Lesson 6: BIBLICAL EXAMPLES Billy Graham Kenneth E. Hagin

Lesson 7: BIBLICAL EXAMPLES Osward J. Smith Kathryn Kuhlman

Lesson 8: CONCLUSION Question and Answer


Lesson One

BIOGRAPHICAL STUDIES ON “MINISTRY AND FAMILY LIFE”

1. “If you must get to God’s destination for your life, understand the secret of

learning from example.”

It is important to know how to learn from examples, so you can arrive at your destination (desire) 1 Cor. 11:1; Phil.3:17;1 Cor.10:11).

2. History is always repeating itself, either negatively or positively.

Don’t allow the negative side of history to repeat itself in your family (1 Cor.10:11).i.e.

Gehazi - walked with Elisha – covetousness

(2 Kings 5:20-27)

Judas - walked with Jesus – covetousness (Matt. 26:14 - 16; 27:3 - 6)

Delilah - could have married God’s servant – covetousness (Judges 16:1-21)


Lesson Two

IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY SUCCESS TO A MINISTER

Text: Acts 1:8 It has been proved biblically and historically that successful ministers or ministries are usually a product of successful families. REASONS 1) Charity begins at home - Acts. 1:8.

Start in your Jerusalem before going out to meet others. As a minister it is your example (what you do) and not as it were, what

you preach [say] that you are communicating to others (Phil. 3:17) that matters.

e.g. Jimmy Swaggart:- The story of his marital infidelity caused a break in the ministry and deep wound in his followers. He apologized on Worldwide Television. Those that didn’t know before got to know. Many believers wept!

Let your family bring joy, not sorrow. 2) God uses the success of your home as a parameter for how well you are rated in the Kingdom (I Tim. 3:4-5; I Tim. 3:11-12; I Pet. 3:7).

If you cannot rule your family well, God will not allow you become a ruler in the Church.

3) No secret life: It is important because as ministers of the Gospel you

have no secret life. You are as a city set upon the hill ( 2 Cor.3:2; Mat. 5:14-16).

4) The peace of mind of any minister must be intact before he can effectively yield to God. e.g. ``What’s on your mind’’ by (Merlin Carothers) “a minister who was seduced into an affair by Church member. Home became unstable. Lost his family and Ministry.


5) To Avoid dethronement. Adam and Eve’s experience. They were driven away from the place of pleasure and enjoyment (Eden) into toiling and sorrow. To avoid any dethronement in the minister’s life and ministry,

his family must be in place (Gen. 3:23-24).

6) What you don’t have you cannot impart. “… such as I have give I thee …” (Acts. 3:6).


A) FIRST FAMILY B) BIBLICAL EXAMPLES

Noah

Abraham

Jonadab

Peter

Timothy

Jesus Christ

C) HISTORICAL EXAMPLES Billy Graham

Kenneth E. Hagin

Oswald J. Smith

Kathryn Kuhlman


Lesson Three

FIRST FAMILY Text: 1 Cor. 10:11; Gen. 2:18-25; Gen.3:23-24

God placed Adam and Eve the first family in the garden of Eden. “Eden” means delight. Marriage and Family life was created initially for delight.

The 1st man (Adam) fell because the devil penetrated his family.

The devil dethroned humanity through the first family.

Adam lost his throne because he lost control of his family.

The family either provides help or establishes hurt (Gen. 2:18). God made the family to provide additional health; to make the human family an unbeatable team and establish them as god’s on earth.

God handed Eve over to Adam after creation (Gen.2:22) i.e. presented her to Adam for government. Husband God has given you that home, govern it well!

Adam however, failed in the family govt. The first calamity of man came through the family. Keep your family in place to avoid calamity in life and ministry.

If you must not suffer dethronement, the kind Adam suffered, you must have your home directly under your hands (Gen. 3:23-24). Husband, God will call on you at the end of the day. Adam and Eve were driven out after the fall to a life of tilling and toiling!

Eve was conversing with the serpent (Gen.3:1-4) Husband, who is your wife’s friend and companion? Mind the company she keeps (1 Cor.15:33).


Lesson Four

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES

OLD TESTAMENT

1. NOAH - preacher, first evangelist in the scriptures Text : - Gen.6,7,8,9 Noah was obedient to all what God commanded him

(Gen.6:22; 7:5) Noah’s assignment was his ministry. In this case, it was the

building of the ark. It was an unusual assignment. It had never rained on earth

before then. His success in the family must have prompted God to

entrust this task into his hands. The work of the Ministry is no excuse for your family to be

a failure. Humanity was filled with wickedness. Noah walked with God ad found grace to carry out the

assignment (Gen.6:8,9) Noah preached his message concerning the flood, they must

have laughed him to scorn (Gen.6:5-13) yet his entire family received his message and were saved from destruction Gen. 7:1, Heb.11:7

2. ABRAHAM - Father of many nations (Isa.51:2), friend of God, Prophet of God. Gen.18, 19, 20 God became Abraham’s friend and would hide nothing from

him. One major reason the scriptures give for God’s ability to

trust him and establish him as prophet (Gen.20:7) is Abraham’s fear of the Lord and “Family Success”. The Bible records God saying: “…shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do … for he will command his children and his household… THEY SHALL KEEP THE WAY OF THE LORD…” (Gen.18:16-19); esp. v19

He was obedient to God in all things.


3. JONADAB - Father of the Rechabites Text: Jeremiah 35:6, 18-19. Jonadab the father of the Rechabites was able to command

his whole household after God. They were all obedient and walked in the fear of God.

Even after his absence they were still firm believers and obeyed his word.

The Lord likens their obedience to their Father Jonadab as the same kind of obedience he requires from all believers to His word.

The Lord used this family and their obedience to their father as an example of the obedience He desired of Israel. “Thus saith the Lord…the words of Jonadab the son of Rechab that he commanded his sons not to drink wine are performed: for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father’s commandment: not withstanding I have spoken unto you, …but ye hearkened not unto me.” (Jer. 35:13-14).

The Rechabites received the reward of their obedience to their father Jonadab from the Lord. “Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel; because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: Therefore…Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me forever.” (Jer.35:19).

Jonadab received the promise of continuity of his lineage, of his ministry before God.

Because his family was God fearing, ordered according to the Lord’s pattern, he found favour with God and his ministry did not fail but succeeded.

He was a man after righteousness and jealous for the God of Israel (2 King 10:15, 23).


Lesson Five

NEW TESTAMENT

PETER - One of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ; Apostle to the

Jews. Text: Matthew 8:14-15 Jesus came into Peter’s house. His house was such that Jesus

could resort to during His earthly ministry. Wife’s mother implies that Peter had a wife. Peter was married

and had a family. His family was no hindrance to him in the work of the ministry

rather, it was such a place of delight that Jesus could resort there.

Jesus healed the wife’s mother. Peter’s family members were part and parcel of Jesus’ ministry.

The wife’s mother ministered to Jesus. Hospitality 1 Tim.3:1-12.

TIMOTHY - First Bishop of the Church at Ephesus

Text: 2 Timothy 1:3-5; footnote at the end of Epistle (KJV) Timothy had an unfeigned faith which emanated from his

grandmother. Paul revealed it by commending his solid upbringing in the

faith. “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” (2 Timothy 1:5).

He had a good family background which helped him in becoming a successful Christian minister.

Timothy’s good family upbringing enabled him become a successful Christian. It reflected strongly in his character so that: “…he was well reported of by the brethren.” (Acts 16:1-3).

This triggered off his association with Paul and was a strong key in his achieving his destiny, also a pointer to his success as a minister (1 Tim.3:1,2) .

There was no scandal around his family.

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST - Saviour of the World and Son of God


Text: Luke 9:34,35; John4:42 Even though Jesus himself was not married, we can learn a lot

from: I) His earthly family background, the family to which he was born.

His relationship with his 12 disciples on earth which can be likened to his wife. This among other things shows us that God believes in families.

The Almighty God wanted a vessel to shield his Son that he was sending on a very important mission into the world. He sought with caution for the right family background who would bring up his Son “…in the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:3).

Father A just man, versed in scripture and open to divine direction

from God (Matthew 1:19,20; 2:!5; Luke 2:41). Mother She was a virgin that found favour in the eyes of the Almighty

God (Luke 1:27,28) showing by it her addiction to chastity. She had a heart of obedience and service to God “…the

handmaid of the Lord;…” (Luke 1:38). They both had a positive influence on Jesus. He “…was

subject unto them:…” (Luke 2:51-52) and increased in wisdom.

He was able to successfully relate with his 12 disciples even though they all came from different backgrounds with different characters.

If Jesus made it despite all of them, you also can successfully make it.


(C) HISTORICAL EXAMPLES 1. Billy Graham 2. Kenneth E. Hagin 3. Osward J. Smith

4. Kathryn Kuhlman


Lesson Six

BILLY GRAHAM Born - November 7th, 1918 Born Again - at the age of 16 years Ordained - 5 years later Things to know: Was known to have rejected a cabinet offer by President Nixon of U.S.A. saying, “When God called me to preach, it was for life”. Kingdom Accomplishments: One of America’s foremost Evangelist Had a Radio Broadcast Held Crusades, Film Evangelism, Wrote Books, Published Magazine - “Decision”. He started preaching with a crowd of 250 persons. It rose to 11,800

and later millions flock to his crusades to hear him preach. At 18 he was a purposeless young man but by 35 he was the best

known preacher in U.S.A. He has won countless souls to Christ. He is still in successful scandal free ministry till date.

In over 50 years of ministry he has influenced various Presidents and Governments.

Family Background (Influences) Father: Granted him insight to sow seeds in the gospel. His pasture was used for prayer meetings. Mother: Exceptional love for reading. Christians he admired were accused of moral defection. It challenged him to make a positive decision concerning moral integrity. Home Front • Known for moral integrity led him not to be found alone with any other

woman except his wife.


Children are involved in his ministry. Some are writers too. Secrets of Success Stable Home front = all are born again Prayer Good sense of humor Thirst for knowledge: learning was an insatiable desire Sense of inadequacy lead to dependence on God He determined that NOTHING should ever be allowed in his life

known or unknown that could harm the name of Christ.


Lesson Seven

KENNETH E. HAGIN Born - 20th August, 1917 Born Again - 22nd April, 1933 Spirit Filled - 1937 Marriage - Met Oretha in June 1938 got married November 20th 1938, Had their first son September, 1939. Their daughter 27th March, 1941. Ministry - Started in Ministry 1934 Commissioned - Was commissioned to teach faith in 1947 - 48 Kingdom Accomplishments: His ministry has been classified into 3 phases; Local Pastor, then

Evangelist, Prophet and Teacher. President of Rhema Bible Training Centre, U.S.A. has Centres in

South Africa, Australia, Rhema Bible Correspondence Courses also. Editor “Word of Faith Magazine”. Author of many books. Started Radio Programme. Video and Audio Ministry; teaching people around the World. Operating Healing School recorded various healings of diverse cases. Camp meeting: non denominational convention where ministers and

believers around the world are imparted. Has been in over 50 years of scandal-free ministry. Family Background Father: His father deserted them when he was very young. Mother: “I was born again through the mercies of God and through the prayers of my mother”. Grandmother: At his birth, she was the one who believed God that


he would live. Her Methodist Bible was his first Bible while he was bedfast with paralysis. Home Front - Very stable In spite of the fact that he was away from home 90% of the time, he

brought closeness to the family through, Bible reading, Prayer, Praise, Spoke the Word, Taught, Preached and above all, he lived the Word of God.

Send children to Christian Boarding School when he had to travel with his wife.

When they traveled together as a family, he took out time to tutor the children himself.

Secrets of Success Stable family life a) Oretha understood the sacrifices of the Ministry b) Strong dedication to God c) Strong dedication to one another d) Faithfulness e) Agreement between them f) Realized that she is a help-meet and must not hinder him in any way. “The only secret of success I know is working in line with the Word of God” - Kenneth E. Hagin. Children, grand-children and great grandchildren are in the ministry.

Till the fourth generation Rev. Kenneth Hagin Jnr. Rev. Craig Hagin, Cameroon Hagin, Pat Harrison wife of Buddy Harrison

Dedication GOD

One Another


Lesson Eight

OSWALD J. SMITH Born - 1889 in Ontario Born Again - in Dr. Torrey’s meeting in Toronto Bible School - At age 18 went to Bible College Marriage - Got married to Dcns. Billings in 1916 at age 27. Kingdom Accomplishments: Canadian’s best known and most prolific hymn writer.

Started: The People’s Church; The People’s Magazine; The People’s Missionary Society which sent out 400 Canadian Missionaries into 66 different countries.

Started Bible Schools in U.S.S.R, Spain; 50 of its graduates were sent out evangelizing and 300 persons were converted.

People’s Bible College established in Liberia.

Multiple Honorary Doctorate Degrees

He is able to say to God “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do”.

People’s Church has largest regular Sunday attendance of any Church in the whole of Canada.

Composed 1,200 hymns wrote 35 books.

Took good care of his parents.

At 85 (1974) he was still the editor of the People’s Magazine and Manager of the Book Department and in his words; “ I am able now to accept many more invitations throughout the world”.

Children all turned out successful. Family Background


Father: My father had many qualities of culture and refinement, most kind, indulgent. Always gracious and courteous in his dealing with the Public. Rarely known to complain. Never stood in my way. Mother: Disposition was always bright and optimistic. Was active, energetic and wholly devoted.

No sacrifice was too great. “… she had a willing heart and hand”. Started from his “Galilee” by starting Sunday School with the help of his mother. Had many book encounters.

Home Front He took the choice of a wife to God. “For years I had offered up two petitions -

the other that He would give me a help-meet after His own heart”. She had also been a missionary and knew from experience the meaning of the

word “sacrifice”. Secrets of Success Stable Home front Selective in choice of friends Selective in choice of staff All his children were saved in their childhood days and are active for God. Gleen - Surgeon; Hope Evangeline - Author, Poet, Artist; Rev. Paul Smith - Gifted Preacher, Expositor. He had grand children all saved too.


KATHRYN KUHLMAN - was born in 1907

Kingdom Accomplishments

One of the Healing Revivalists used to awaken the Body of Christ to God’s miracle working power.

She had Radio and Video Tape Ministries which God used to heal many hurting lives.

A number of complex diseases were healed at meetings held by her.

She was mightily used of God. When the Spirit of God was upon her during her miracle services she had all authority of God.

Referred to as “the John the Baptist of the ministry of the Holy Spirit.”

Family Background

Seemed not to get the balance required from the influence and input of both parents.

Discipline was lopsided

Her parents and sisters marriage turned her off marriage. It influenced her dislike for marriage.

Her close relationship with her father made her become a master at handling men e.g. Her mother described her as a flirt because any man she set her mind to she won over. This didn’t encourage healthy relationships.

Home Front

No stable home-front. In fact, she got married to a divorcee and later on got divorced from him.

It was scandalous and put her out of the ministry for sometime.

Though she recovered and returned to ministry it seemed the hurt returned occasionally.

No encouragement or protective covering of spouse.


Decline in Ministry

She experienced a decline in her ministry. Preaching deteriorated when her schedule got congested No time for the word, her sermons became confusing and powerless.

Wrong association: The people she worked with included several long time employees who had fallen into immorality.

Her unstable marriage may also be attributed to her unstable family background, wrong ideas of marriage, which led to wrong choice of a partner.

She had other insecurities: evidence of unstable background.

Got involved in contentions; Refused counsel.

Not given to reading other authors only the Bible. However, it was not even evident in latter years.

Conclusion

Her’s was a great ministry but the little foxes present did not assist it’s continuity.

The lack of Family Success seemed to have an effect on her and the length and strength of her ministry.


CONCLUSION

Family Success is God’s desire for everyone, especially ministers of the gospel. God himself was the initiator of marriage and family. God designed Family Life for success, not for failure.

God placed the first family in the garden of Eden “Eden” means

“delight” “great pleasure”.

A place of pleasure, enjoyment, fulfillment. Therefore fulfillment, pleasure and enjoyment is God’s desire for you in family life. Learn from examples.

Copyright © by Word of Faith Bible Institute

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