Saturday March 3, 2012

Read Deuteronomy 6:20-25

As you read both Old and New Testament a pattern emerges. God has always dealt with family units. When Noah entered the Ark he and his wife and his sons and their wives went with him. God was gracious and saved the entire family. When Abraham was called to leave Ur of the Chaldeans (Gen 12:1-5ff) his entire family and even the servants went with him. God was gracious towards the entire family. When Israel entered the Promised Land God expected the entire family to participate in worship of Himself.

In the New Testament we see this pattern of God dealing with entire families continuing. Acts 16 portrays the conversion of several families. In each case, the entire household is baptised. God continues to deal with families.

This teaching by no means is advocating ritual salvation (for example, salvation through baptism or ceremony) nor are we denying the need for everyone to have faith in Christ. Rather it means that parents must think strategically and carefully about how they raise their children. Ephesians 6:4 shows that parents are to bring their children up in the teaching and fear of the Lord. Children are to be taught what God requires.

This pattern continues on from the original Exodus and teaching in Deuteronomy. Back then, parents were to teach their children about the mighty salvation from Egypt and the requirements the Lord laid down for His people as they entered the Promised Land. As you read beyond the chapters of Deuteronomy you quickly realise that children were to participate in the ceremonies and festivals. In the Pass Over festival, which is the chief and cornerstone festival, children had a major role to play.

In New Testament families, parents are to teach their children about the greater Exodus, the true Exodus through Christ Jesus. They are to teach their children the requirements of the Lord for a household of faith. Parents are to be actively growing their children in their faith and belief.

Prayer:

¥ Pray for the PIM (Presbyterian Inland Missionary) Service. Ask God to bless the padres with good relationships, fruitful visits to outback stations and the ability to communicate the truths of the gospel clearly. Ask God to comfort and to be near these padres (and their wives, where applicable) as they travel long, lonely distances.

¥ Ask the Lord to strengthen the families among us. Pray that God would be knitting families closer together in Him and using families to reach out to other families.

¥ Pray that our congregation would be an exceedingly generous congregation and that over and above meeting our costs we would be able to minister and serve the poor, the needy and the less fortunate. Pray that our congregation would grow and multiply.