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Sabbath Bible Lessons

Worship in Awe and Reverence

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Lesson 11 Sabbath, September 15, 2012

Family Honor

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15, last part).

“Those who govern their families in the right way will bring into the church an influence of order and reverence.”—My Life Today, p. 284.

Suggested Reading:   The Adventist Home, pp. 114-120

Sunday September 9

1. A FIRST BASIC STEP

a. Describe the implications of God’s fifth commandment and the blessing promised to the obedient. Ephesians 6:1–3. Why is Satan so eager to undermine this commandment?

“Parents are entitled to a degree of love and respect which is due to no other person. God Himself, who has placed upon them a responsibility for the souls committed to their charge, has ordained that during the earlier years of life, parents shall stand in the place of God to their children. And he who rejects the rightful authority of his parents is rejecting the authority of God. The fifth commandment requires children not only to yield respect, submission, and obedience to their parents, but also to give them love and tenderness, to lighten their cares, to guard their reputation, and to succor and comfort them in old age.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 308.

“Contempt for parental authority will soon lead to contempt for the authority of God.”—Ibid., p. 337.

b. Who else is included in this commandment? 1 Peter 5:5 (first part); Leviticus 19:32.

“[The fifth commandment] also enjoins respect for ministers and rulers and for all others to whom God has delegated authority.”—Ibid., p. 308.


Monday September 10

2. A GOD-FEARING UNIT

a. Describe God’s plan for husbands and wives. Ephesians 5:22, 25, 33; 1 Peter 3:1–7; Colossians 3:18, 19. Explain some ways how this plan is often violated.

“How careful should the husband and father be to maintain his loyalty to his marriage vows! How circumspect should be his character, lest he shall encourage thoughts in young girls, or even in married women, that are not in accordance with the high, holy standard—the commandments of God! . . .

“To married men I am instructed to say, It is to your wives, the mothers of your children, that your respect and affection are due. Your attentions are to be given to them, and your thoughts are to dwell upon plans for their happiness.

“I have been shown families where the husband and father has not preserved that reserve, that dignified, godlike manhood which is befitting a follower of Christ. He has failed to perform the kind, tender, courteous acts due to his wife, whom he has promised before God and angels to love, respect, and honor while they both shall live. The girl employed to do the work has been free and somewhat forward to dress his hair and to be affectionately attentive, and he is pleased, foolishly pleased. In his love and attention to his wife he is not as demonstrative as he once was. Be sure that Satan is at work here. . . .

“Oh, how many lives are made bitter by the breaking down of the walls which enclose the privacies of every family, and which are calculated to preserve its purity and sanctity! A third person is taken into the confidence of the wife, and her private family matters are laid open before the special friend. This is the device of Satan to estrange the hearts of the husband and wife. Oh, that this would cease! What a world of trouble would be saved! Lock within your own hearts the knowledge of each other’s faults. Tell your troubles alone to God. He can give you right counsel and sure consolation which will be pure, having no bitterness in it.

“When a woman relates her family troubles or complains of her husband to another man, she violates her marriage vows; she dishonors her husband and breaks down the wall erected to preserve the sanctity of the marriage relation; she throws wide open the door and invites Satan to enter with his insidious temptations. This is just as Satan would have it. If a woman comes to a Christian brother with a tale of her woes, her disappointments and trials, he should ever advise her, if she must confide her troubles to someone, to select sisters for her confidants.”—The Adventist Home, pp. 336-338.


Tuesday September 11

3. A CHALLENGE FOR TODAY

a. What kind of family pleases God? Joshua 24:15 (last part).

“Angels delight in a home where God reigns supreme, and the children are taught to reverence religion, the Bible, and their Creator.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 424.

“The sacred privilege of communing with God makes distinct and clear the sight of the glorious things prepared for those who love God and reverence His commandments. We need to bring reverence into our daily lives.”—My Life Today, p. 284.

b. Explain the problem that is seriously intensifying in these last days. 2 Timothy 3:2. How are we to meet this challenge? Ephesians 6:13.

“Anciently, parental authority was regarded; children were then in subjection to their parents, and feared and reverenced them; but in these last days the order is reversed. Some parents are in subjection to their children. They fear to cross the will of their children, and therefore yield to them. But just as long as children are under the roof of the parents, dependent upon them, they should be subject to their control. Parents should move with decision, requiring that their views of right be followed out.”—Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 216, 217.

“Parents should have perfect control over their own spirits, and with mildness and yet firmness bend the will of the child until it shall expect nothing else but to yield to their wishes.”—Ibid., p. 218.

c. What solemn warning must be taken into account by adults, also regarding their relationship with children and youth? Luke 17:1, 2.

“The salvation of children depends very much upon the course pursued by the parents. In their mistaken love and fondness for their children, many parents indulge them to their hurt.”—Ibid., p. 217.

“Some children, as they grow older, think it a matter of course that they must have their own way, and that their parents must submit to their wishes. They expect their parents to wait upon them. They are impatient of restraint, and when old enough to be a help to their parents, they do not bear the burdens they should. They have been released from responsibilities, and grow up worthless at home and worthless abroad. They have no power of endurance.”—Ibid., pp. 218, 219.


Wednesday September 12

4. TRUE HOME DISCIPLINE

a. In the Elijah message of the last days, who is affected first? Malachi 4:5, 6 (first part); Deuteronomy 6:6–8; Proverbs 23:13, 14. How does the church suffer when parents fail to respond to this call?

“[Children] have been petted and indulged, their appetites gratified, and they come up with enfeebled health. Their manners and deportment are not agreeable. They are unhappy themselves and make those around them unhappy. And while the children are but children still, while they need to be disciplined, they are allowed to go out in company and mingle with the society of the young, and one has a corrupting influence over another.

“The curse of God will surely rest upon unfaithful parents. Not only are they planting thorns which will wound them here, but they must meet their own unfaithfulness when the judgment shall sit. Many children will rise up in judgment and condemn their parents for not restraining them and charge upon them their destruction. The false sympathy and blind love of parents causes them to excuse the faults of their children and pass them by without correction, and their children are lost in consequence, and the blood of their souls will rest upon the unfaithful parents.

“Children who are thus brought up undisciplined have everything to learn when they profess to be Christ’s followers. Their whole religious experience is affected by their bringing up in childhood. The same self-will often appears; there is the same lack of self-denial, the same impatience under reproof, the same love of self and unwillingness to seek counsel of others, or to be influenced by others’ judgment, the same indolence, shunning of burdens, lack of bearing responsibilities. All this is seen in their relation to the church. It is possible for such to overcome; but how hard the battle! how severe the conflict! How hard to pass through the course of thorough discipline which is necessary for them to reach the elevation of Christian character!”—Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 219, 220.

b. Describe the balance needed in rearing children for God. Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 29:15; Colossians 3:21. What can make this easier?

“Parents should not permit business cares, worldly customs and maxims, and fashion to have a controlling power over them, so that they neglect their children in babyhood and fail to give their children proper instruction as they increase in years.”—The Adventist Home, p. 183.


Thursday September 13

5. ENLARGING THE WELL-ORDERED HOUSEHOLD

a. What family virtues can we learn from Abraham? Genesis 18:19.

“It is the duty of those who claim to be Christians to present to the world well-ordered, well-disciplined families—families that will show the power of true Christianity.”—Child Guidance, p. 233.

“A well-disciplined family, who love and obey God, will be cheerful and happy. The father, when he returns from his daily labor, will not bring his perplexities to his home. He will feel that home, and the family circle, are too sacred to be marred with unhappy perplexities. When he left his home, he did not leave his Saviour and his religion behind. Both were his companions. The sweet influence of his home, the blessing of his wife, and love of his children, make his burdens light, and he returns with peace in his heart, and cheerful encouraging words for his wife and children, who are waiting to joyfully welcome his coming. As he bows with his family, at the altar of prayer, to offer up his grateful thanks to God, for his preserving care of himself and loved ones through the day, angels of God hover in the room, and bear the fervent prayers of God-fearing parents to Heaven, as sweet incense, which are answered by returning blessings.”—Selected Messages, bk. 2, pp. 439, 440.

b. God gives certain promises to all believers—including those who are not blessed with the privilege of Christian family ties. How does this imply a responsibility for the church? Isaiah 56:4–7; 54:1–3; Job 29:15, 16.

“Invite to your homes those who are in need of entertainment and kindly attention. Make no parade; but, as you see their necessity, take them in and show them genuine Christian hospitality.”—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 347.


Friday September 14

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Explain the depth of the fifth commandment within the family circle.

2. What is the “sacred circle” surrounding the family?

3. What serious challenge do parents face in these last days of history?

4. Explain the proper balance needed in guiding children aright.

5. In what sense may Isaiah 54:1–3 be applied today?

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