10/24/2010 Merge Lesson 1
Next Generation of Spiritual Leaders
1. Motivate
What are some ways we define “success” for our children as they are growing up?
- good grades
- do well in athletics
- make first chair in the band
- make captain in majorette/flag/drill team
- get a scholarship to a good school
- be considered popular
2. Transition
Today we will look at greatness or success in the context of the Kingdom … service, humility, generosity, etc.
ðWe look at the question of who will be responsible to raise this kind of spiritual leaders.
3. Bible Study
3.1 Abraham
Listen for parental responsibility spelled out.
Genesis 18:18-19 (NIV) Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. [19] For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."
According to these verses, for what purpose did God choose Abraham?
- to direct his children
- to train his household after him
- to train them to keep the way of the Lord
- train them to do what is right and just
- the end result would be the Lord bringing about His promises for Abraham
Listen for a lesson that Abraham’s son learned.
Genesis 22:12-18 (NIV) "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." [13] Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. [14] So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided." [15] The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time [16] and said, "I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, [17] I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, [18] and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
Abraham had obeyed God by being ready to sacrifice the son God had promised him. How did God supply a substitute sacrifice?
- angel stopped Abraham
- pointed out a ram in a thicket
- Abraham sacrificed the ram instead of his son
This was a test of Abraham’s faith … not a test so God would know about Abraham, rather a test for Abraham to know. What lessons did Abraham learn through this experience?
- it is sometimes hard to obey, to follow God
- God will provide what is needed
- Abraham named the place “God will provide” – would remind him every time he saw it or talked about it
What lessons do you think Isaac learned?
- Dad doesn’t mess around – he obeys God, no matter what
- Dad trusted God
- God provided – saved my life
- God would probably do the same for me
How does God sometimes test our faith?
- health emergencies
- financial troubles
- family relational struggles
- making a choice between right and wrong actions
What do both we and our children learn through these situations?
- God loves us
- God is powerful enough to meet our needs
- God is sovereign and can accomplish what we consider impossible
- following God is the right thing to do – even when the world mistreats us or makes fun
3.2 Asaph, a Psalmist
Listen for how God’s truths are to be transferred.
Psalm 78:1-7 (NIV) A maskil of Asaph. O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. [2] I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old-- [3] what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. [4] We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. [5] He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, [6] so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. [7] Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
How were people to learn about God?
- from the teaching of the psalmists
- from previous generations
- parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles
- each generation tells the next generation
- we don’t hide them from our children, we expose them repeatedly
What kinds of things were to be taught?
- parables
- “hidden” things … God’s special revelation (in contrast to natural revelation)
- praiseworthy deeds of the Lord
- His power, His wonders
- God’s statutes, Gods Law
- how God had supplied needs, protected His people
What would be the results of learning these things?
- each generation learns to put their trust in God
- they would not forget God’s deeds, God’s words
- they would keep God’s commands
What kinds of things did you learn about God from your parents and grandparents?
- Bible stories
- learned about their personal walk with God
- saw them model a consistent Christian walk
- maybe learned from negative examples what not to do
- learned faithful church attendance
- qualities such as honesty, hard work, love for God, Fruit of the Spirit
3.3 Elijah and John the Baptist
Listen for the type of ministry Elijah and John the Baptist would have.
Malachi 4:4-6 (NIV) "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. [5] "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. [6] He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.” Speaking of John the Baptist, Luke 1:17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
So what would be the nature of the ministry of these men?
- turn hearts of fathers to their children
- turn hearts of children to fathers
- turn disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous
- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord
What do you think it means to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children?
- get parents to pay attention to their kids
- get parents to set their own hobbies and entertainment aside and focus on their children
- take interest in what their children are doing
- quit hassling their children
- not try to live out their own ambitions through the lives of their children (sports star, head cheerleader, professional musician/dancer/beauty queen)
What are some ways parents and grandchildren can turn disobedient children (grandchildren) to the “wisdom of the righteous”?
- lots of prayer
- personally modeling a godly life
- more prayer
- start when they are young – preventative action, rather than reactive
Why do you think God gave this task to parents (and grandparents)? Why not school, government? Why not church?
- they spend more time in the home
- government and school (even a Christian school) may not share the same set of values with parents
- people who live with us see our Christian life put into practice
- it is more “caught” than “taught”
Why do you think parents don’t accept the mandate from the Bible that they teach them about the Lord?
- Takes too much time (self-absorbed)
- Want to pass responsibility to others (irresponsible, unaccountable)
- Don’t feel qualified (“hypocrite”, not “perfect”)
- Didn’t have good role models to teach them (i.e., their own parents didn’t nurture them spiritually)
- Unsure of how to do it – no plan
What steps can you take to become the leader God means you to be?
- Embrace the Challenge– Willingly accept this responsibility
- Learn the Truth – Develop a biblical world view…you can’t “transfer” what you don’t own
- Take Up the Task – Don’t accept “I can’t”, remember “You must”
- Pray for Power – We are not alone! God Himself empowers you through the Holy Spirit
Why is it helpful to include grandparents (even substitute “grandparents”) in some of these roles?
- kids like to talk to their grandparents,
- mature adults have more experiences to share how God has worked in their lives
- they can offer advice that might be more readily received than from parents
4. Application
4.1 This week put these concepts into practice at home – lead spiritually.
- Inside the Welcome Guide this morning you will find a “Faith Talk” that you can use with your family.
- Set aside sometime this week to sit down with your family and lead them through this discussion.
4.2 This morning your students are being taught the same lesson that you just heard
- They are going to expect you to lead them in this way
- As your child’s Spiritual Leader to begin to intentionally influence them for the Lord.
4.3 Ask God what steps can you take to become the leader God means you to be.
- Embrace the Challenge– Willingly accept this responsibility
- Learn the Truth – Develop a biblical world view…you can’t “transfer” what you don’t own
- Take Up the Task – Don’t accept “I can’t”, remember “You must”
- Pray for Power – We are not alone! God Himself empowers you through the Holy Spirit
5