Sermon Notes
Main Idea:
Every family in the world is imperfect. But our imperfection should not keep pursuing God’s best.
Important Insight:
We all need rules. But the power of rules is often how they are passed on. The most famous verse among the Jewish people contains a secret weapon that can help with this process.
All Families Face these Two Issues
-We need better communication
-We can’t control unforeseen circumstances
Sermon Outline:
- God’s pattern of instruction to families (6:1-2):
- Commands (מִצְוָה, mitsvâh)- things that prohibited (or instructed)
- Decrees (חֹק, chôq)- things that are prescribed task or limits
- Laws ( מִשְׁפָּט, mishpâṭ)- a clear sense of right and wrong
- Three M’s (Mishap/Mistake/Misbehavior)
- Three D’s (Dishonesty/Disrespect/Disobedience)
We must compassionately and passionately apply these guidelines, especially to a generation of people who are being held captive digitally.
Key Insight:
Your obedience to God now has the potential to affect your grandchildren’s fear and respect of God in the future. (6:2)
Reflect:
What if your silent act of obedience could echo into the future for the next eighty years? Would that change your commitment to follow God?
- God’s commands are really about serving YOUR best interest (v. 6:2-3).
- God’s plan for passing on faith:
- Parents must possess this faith first. (v. 6:6).
- Remember the goal is for this to get below the service (get them below the surface) (6:7a)
- The best way to do this introduce commands into the flow of life (6:7)
- Supper time is your underused secret weapon
- (Don’t you just love it when science stumbles upon biblical truth)
- Reminders are always needed and helpful (6:8-9)
Application:
Commit to having four meals together each week (or increase to one more meal/week together). Here’s a few more tips for D.I.N.N.E.R.:
- Develop a menu together
- Include everyone in the process (Prep, Serve, Clean Up)
- Nix any overly corrective or negative conversations
- Nix any use of technology (screens off)
- Energize the conversation with open ended questions
- Remember to pray together
Discussion Questions
TALK IT OUT:
- Pastor Rusty makes the point that all of our families struggle with these two issues; 1) Communication and 2) The fact that we can’t control unforeseen circumstances? Which of these two is the most challenging for your family?
- Based upon Deut. 6:1-2, we learn our current obedience to God has the potential to impact our grandchildren’s view of God in the future. How obedient are you being to God in the present?
- How might God use your present obedience to impact your children and grandchildren? (Note, our impact could be either positive or negative.)
- Realizing how important our present obedience is should make us more committed to obeying God. In what areas do you need to become more obedient to God?
- In Deut. 6:3 Moses makes the point that being obedient to God is not only the right thing to do but is also in our best interest. How have you seen God bless your obedience in the past?
- The Bible makes these three points in Deut. 6:6-7 about how to pass the faith on to our children and grandchildren: 1) Parents must first possess faith, 2) The goal is for what we teach to get below the surface, 3) The best way to introduce God’s commands is in the normal flow of life. Pastor Rusty suggests this can happen naturally around the supper table. What other times each week might you be able to communicate God’s values to your family?
LIVE IT OUT
- Commit to four meals together as a family each week, or to increasing the number of meals with your family by one more than you are currently eating together. What meals will you commit to having with your family this week?
- Commit to these practical tips for increasing the impact of DINNER with your family:
- Develop a menu together
- Include everyone in the process (Prep, Serving and Cleaning Up)
- Nix any overly corrective or negative conversations
- Nix any use of technology (screens off)
- Energize the conversation with open-ended questions
- Remember to pray together
- Ask God to help you as you take these steps to impact your children and grandchildren in the future.