October 8, 2001

Lessons for October 21

FAMILIY BIBLE STUDY:
The church should be the partner of the family
___ Titus 1:5-2:15
___By Christine Hockin-Boyd
___Texas WMU, Dallas
___As a wife and husband are partnered together in a marriage, so is the church and family. The church helps family members learn about God and serve him together.
___When a person chooses to join a body of believers, the pastor may ask for a visible sign from the congregation--raising a hand--indicating spiritual support in knowledge, acceptance and willingness to nurture. The church works alongside and assists individuals to a deeper loving relationship with the Lord, both adults and children.
___My husband and I teach a new-Christians class for children in our local church. One of our favorite segments is when we get to help children understand what the church really is.
___For new believers such as children and even adults, the understanding may be that the church is a building. The church is made up of walls, flooring, classrooms, gym or game room. It is a great joy to explain that the church is not a building, but people. We share with children that whenever believers gather to praise and worship that is a place of worship. We also share stories about groups of people that may meet in unique places to worship--underneath a tree, city park, by the lake, school building, fast food restaurant or truck stop.
___The church has a common bond. That bond is to nurture, support and love one another. Partnering together to serve one another. Partnering together in sharing the gospel with the local neighborhood and community.
___The church is a place where additional Bible knowledge is gained. The home serves as the primary mode for teaching, and the church follows behind with more. Believers may use their gifts and talents to teach a variety of classes such as Sunday School, Discipleship Training, missions and music.
___The body of believers may offer hands-on ministries in which to involve family members such as feeding the homeless, hosting a water stop for a bicycle race, assisting homebound members with yard work or repairing a home.
___The church is a great partner for the family. It is an expansion of the family's teachings about God and his guidelines for living. It provides additional help for family members in serving God.
___A healthy and strong church will take advantage of all the gifts and abilities various believers have to offer. A healthy and strong church will work alongside and assist whatever employed staff members there are. This should include all family members--adults, teenagers, children and preschoolers. Everyone should have a part. All are needed. All should have an opportunity to serve.
___A biblical model to learn from is Titus. He was a Gentile Christian and one of Paul's assistants in missionary ministry. Late in that ministry, Paul left Titus on the island of Crete to supervise the churches' work there. Paul wrote to Titus to instruct, challenge and encourage him in his work on Crete.
___In verses 5-9, one can see the qualities and characteristics that should be considered and sought in leadership within a body of believers. Selecting a leader involves more than who is the most popular or who has the most money. A leader lives out God's principles and helps strengthen and assist other believers. Verse 9 reminds us a leader should be able to encourage others by sound doctrine (true teaching) and be an example for others. Spiritual leaders, volunteer and paid, must abide by the same biblical teaching. These leaders should model a healthy home life.
___Mentoring younger women and men is of great importance and need today. It serves as an opportunity to teach and pass down values and biblical understanding from one generation to the next. Mentoring offers help in leading people along their spiritual journey.
___Please don't assume this is for adults only. Mentoring is leading our children and teenagers along the spiritual journey as well. "You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine" (2:1). Don't just look to older adults to be mentors, but rather persons who are mature in their faith. Don't let age deceive you--spiritual depth is what matters. Can you imagine a body of believers that practiced the art of mentoring? Being a mentor. Becoming a "merea," the Hebrew word for a friend. Imagine the constant state of learning for one's self while teaching another. It's like breathing in and out. You can't do one without doing the other.
___"These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you" (2:15). Believers, we must be partners with our families. Together we must teach, encourage, and discipline one another for the good. It's Christian family survival time.

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