Merge Lesson 3Combining Influence of

Church and Family

Nov. 7

Think About It …

• C. S. Lewis … “The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men

into Christ, to make them little

Christs.”

“The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men

into Christ, to make them little

Christs.”

Agree? Disagree?

Think About It …

• What are some examples that show that the church has failed in having a significant positive influence in our society?

• The church is losing its influence with two entire generations

Today we study how the church needs to refocus its mission.

Listen for different ministries within the church.Ephes. 4:11-16 (NIV) It was he who gave some

to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and

teachers, [12] to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be

built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and

become mature,

Listen for different ministries within the church.

attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. [14] Then we will no longer be infants,

tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by

the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

Listen for different ministries within the church.

[15] Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. [16] From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as

each part does its work.

Influence of the Church

• With what kind of people does God fill the church?

• What is the task of these people?• How have you benefited from the Christian

leadership in your church?

Influence of the Church

• When Pastors and teachers fulfill the role of equipping saint for the work of the ministry what happens to the church as a whole? To individual disciples in the church? To families?

Church as a Whole

Individuals Family

Influence of the Church

• What partnerships are necessary for the building up of the church body?

• What kinds of ministry opportunities exist within our church?

• How can grandparents be involved?

Listen for mention of grandparents.Deut. 6:1-3 (NLT) "These are all the commands,

laws, and regulations that the Lord your God told me to teach you so you may obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, [2] and so you and your children and grandchildren might fear the Lord your God as long as you live.

If you obey all his laws and

Listen for mention of grandparents.commands, you will enjoy a long life. [3] Listen closely, Israel, to everything I say. Be careful to

obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk

and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

Influence of the Home

• What did God direct Moses to teach to the Israelites?

• What would be the result of those teachings?• Note the specific mention of a grandparent!

How did your grandparents contribute to your spiritual experience?

Influence of the Home

• If your grandparents were not believers, what helped you break the cycle of ongoing unbelievers?

• What could you do as a grandparent to encourage or help your children and grandchildren?

Listen for different areas of teaching within the church.

Titus 2:1-8 (NIV) You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. [2] Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in

endurance. [3] Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but

to teach what is good.

Listen for different areas of teaching within the church.

[4] Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, [5] to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be

kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. [6]

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.

Listen for different areas of teaching within the church.

[7] In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness [8] and soundness of speech that

cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have

nothing bad to say about us.

Church and Family Join Together

• What is important for older men to be taught? • What must older women be taught? • What will be the result of older women

learning these things?

Church and Family Join Together

• What did Paul say that young men need to learn?

• What attitudes should be displayed as various generations learn from each other?

• What are some lessons you learned from mature leaders in the church as you grew up?

Application

• Look for ways you can be involved in ministries of the church to help parents in the role of equipping and training their children spiritually– Working in preschool, children, youth ministries– Writing devotionals that help parents with FAITH

talks, – Being a marriage or parenting mentor; – Praying for parents specifically in their spiritual

leadership

Application

• Partner with the church to help develop the next generation– Intentionally engaging children, grandchildren, or

students in conversations about what they think about the pastor’s message

– Praying with Children– Share transparently about your faith journey

Application

• Older generations should instruct and model mature Christian living– This week identify a young family in the worship

center where you could have this kind of role– Make friends with them – get to know them by

name– Ask how you can pray for them

Merge Lesson 3Combining Influence of

Church and Family

Nov. 7