CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE
Keith Gerner.
AUDIO VISUAL MINISTRIES. P O Box 1
NEWCASTLE Co Down. BT33 Northern Ireland
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Lesson No 9 FAMILY PRAYERS
DYNAMIC DEVOTIONS ARE THE HEARTBEAT OF THE HOME
The spiritual value of family devotions can never be overestimated, as they have a great value both to parents and children. The " Family Altar" is probably the most crucial area of spiritual responsibility that any family faces, and most Christians will agree that they need to have regular and effective devotions.
1.THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OPEN BIBLE
Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (NIV)
(a) JESUS called the Law of Moses " the Word of God"
Mark 7:13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." (NIV)
This covers the first five books of the Bible, but He also authenticates the rest.
Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (NIV)
Luke 24:44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." (NIV)
( The Jews divided the Old Testament into three parts:
(i) The Law of Moses (ii) The Prophets (iii) the Psalms.)
JESUS PUT A STAMP OF AUTHORITY HERE ON THE ACCURACY AND INVIOLABILITY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AS A WHOLE.
(b) JESUS TAUGHT THAT SCRIPTURE CANNOT BE BROKEN
John 10:35 If he called them `gods,' to whom the word of God came‑‑ and the Scripture cannot be broken‑‑ (NIV)
Even the smallest letter cannot be altered
Matt 5:18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
The SAVIOUR emphasised the importance of all Scripture, down to the smallest letter and point of a letter.
(c) JESUS AUTHENTICATED THE WRITING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT BY THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT
John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (NIV)
The Holy Ghost brought everything to the Apostles' remembrance and stamped their writings, according to this prophecy of Christ.
2. INVOLVEMENT IN GETTING STARTED.
(A) SET A DEFINITE TIME
If you start wrong, you will fail. Start right and your devotions will be a success, otherwise time will slip by and your good intentions will be wasted. You may have to rise earlier or stay up later, but ADJUSTMENTS MUST BE MADE IF YOU MEAN TO SUCCEED
Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (NIV)
(B) INVOLVE EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY
What can be more important than the spiritual well‑being of the whole family ? You must fix a time when every member of the family can sit down together and share in family devotions. Select a time that is good for everyone. Give each a chance to read the Bible and give everyone a time to share in prayer
Acts 10:23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. (NIV)
Acts 10:24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
Acts 10:33 (Cornelius said to Peter)................... Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us." (NIV)
(C) BE CONSISTENT
Once you start, do not stop. If you quit, it will become much harder to restart. It would be better to spend ten to fifteen minutes a day on devotions than to spend thirty to sixty minutes and become quickly tired.
3. INCREASING SPIRITUALLY
(a) DEVELOP A MEANINGFUL ATMOSPHERE
(i) Turn off the Television and Radio, and even take the telephone off the hook, to make a concentrated time of really spiritual emphasis.
(ii) The actual time, can be morning noon or night.
Psalms 55:16 But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. (NIV)
Psalms 55:17 Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. (NIV)
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before
. (iii) The atmosphere is vital and the conversation must be conducive.
Eph 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (NIV)
(B) DEEPEN YOUR BIBLE STUDY
(i) The real GOAL OF FAMILY DEVOTIONS IS SPIRITUAL GROWTH FOR YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY. Much of this will come from READING AND APPLYING GOD'S WORD TO YOUR LIVES.
(ii) Do not hesitate to read the Bible itself with your children
(iii) You can supplement your devotions with a good story book, but DO NOT LET THAT ELIMINATE THE BIBLE. Let each person in your home look on the Bible as an open book and let each person take a turn at reading it.
(iv) There are 3 things to seek in your Bible study: TAKE YOUR P.I.C.
(1) WHAT DOES THIS PASSAGE SAY TO ME ?
(2) WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME ?
(3) HOW DOES IT APPLY TO MY LIFE ? ( Always give practical points)
2 Tim 3:15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is God‑breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, (NIV)
(v) A HOME THAT REVOLVES AROUND THE BIBLE is PURE, UNSELFISH, HOLY AND HAPPY. If one walked into a gambling den, pub or house of ill‑repute, and placed a Bible on the table, everybody would be amazed. The Bible would stand out as pure in such places. If one placed the work of Ingersoll or another infidel on the table, nobody would bother. Infidel books are in harmony with everything that is evil and Satanic.
Ps 119:37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. (NIV)
(vi) NO STREAM CAN RISE HIGHER THAN ITS SOURCE.
Since the BIble has come from God, then alone, it can lift the family UP TO GOD. In the Scriptures are hidden the infinite, inexhaustible treasures of wisdom and the knowledge of God. ONLY THE BIBLE can purify, gladden and beautify our homes. NO OTHER BOOK CAN REPLACE IT.
Ps 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. (NIV)
Ps 119:11 I have hidden
your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (NIV)
(C) DESIGN A MORE POWERFUL PRAYER TIME
(i) Why do people become bored in public or group prayer ? The main reason is that they are NOT PRAYING FOR SOMETHING SPECIFIC. Specific praise and specific requests, being specific blessings.
(ii) It is good to BEGIN YOUR PRAYER TIME WITH PRAISE AND THANKSGIVINGS.
Phil 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (NIV)
(iii) KEEP YOUR FAMILY PRAYER TIME SHORT.
Children very quickly lose concentration. (Note how short were most of the public prayers of Jesus :
Matt 11:25 25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. (NIV)
Luke 11:2 He said to them, "When you pray, say: "`Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. (NIV)
Luke 11:3 Give us each day our daily bread. (NIV)
Luke 11:4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'" (NIV)
John 11:41 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit
of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent
me." (NIV)
John 12:27 27 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? `Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
28 Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." (NIV)
Mark 14: 36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?
38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. (NIV)
Matt 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (NIV)
Matt 26:42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." (NIV)
Luke 23:34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (NIV)
Matt 27:46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"‑‑ which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (NIV)
(iv) It is vital to keep a FAMILY PRAYER REQUEST NOTE BOOK.
This is a must for all families
(1) Divine the pages of the Notebook into sections.
(2) Give HEADINGS to each section :
DATE. /REQUESTS. /ANSWERS.
(3) PRAYER BECOME MEANINGFUL to your children AS THEY SEE EVIDENCE OF lists of ANSWERS TO REQUESTS MADE. It will leave an indelible impression on your children's minds that GOD ANSWERS PRAYER. When the children grow up and have their own homes and families, they WILL INCORPORATE THIS PRACTICE INTO THEIR OWN FAMILY DEVOTIONS.
Exodus 10:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these miraculous signs of mine among them (NIV)
Exodus 10:2 that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among
them, and that you may know that I am the LORD." (NIV)
Deut 4:9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. (NIV)
Deut 4:40 Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time. (NIV)
(4) REGULAR DEVOTIONS WILL INCREASE YOUR CHILDREN'S RESPECT FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
THEY WILL NO LONGER LOOK ON HOME MERELY AS A "PLACE WHERE THEY EAT AND SLEEP " BUT A PLACE WHERE ALL THEIR NEEDS CAN BE MET, physical, mental and spiritual.
Isaiah 58:9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, (NIV)
Isaiah 58:10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. (NIV)
Isaiah 58:11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun‑scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well‑watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (NIV)
4. IMMEDIATE RESULTS.
(a) DEVELOPMENT OF AN ATTITUDE OF REPENTANCE FROM SIN and PERSONAL WRONGS.
(i) A secure atmosphere of regular spiritual and family communion will have an effect on the whole family
(ii) A family CANNOT PRAY TOGETHER AND HOLD BITTERNESS OR GRUDGES.
Lev 19:17 "`Do not hate your brother in your heart.
Lev 19:18 "`Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD. (NIV)
(iii) THIS SECURITY WILL GIVE THE CHILDREN REST IN THEIR SOULS.
Exodus 33:14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (NIV)
2 Chr 15:15 All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side. (NIV)
Matt 10:13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. (NIV)
Matt 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (NIV)
Matt 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (NIV)
Heb 4:10 for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. (NIV)
Heb 4:11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.
(b) THIS DAILY PRACTICE WILL ALLOW YOUR FAMILY TO GROW IN THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD, and they will develop a love for the WORD OF GOD
Psalms 119:97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. (NIV)
(LIVING BIBLE) " Nothing is perfect except Thy words. Oh how I love them. I think about them all day long !
Psalms 119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. (ASV)
CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE
Keith Gerner BA
Lesson No. 9 FAMILY PRAYERS
DYNAMIC DEVOTIONS ARE THE HEARTBEAT OF THE HOME
1. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OPEN BIBLE.
(a) Jesus called the LAW OF MOSES the ‘WORD OF GOD” Mark 7:13
(b) Jesus taught that Scripture cannot be broken. John 10:35
(c) Jesus authenticated the writing of the N.T. by the power of the Spirit.Jn.14:26
2.INVOLVEMENT IN GETTING STARTED.
(a) SET A DEFINITE TIME. cf. Mark 1:35
(b) INVOLVE EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.Acts 10:33
(C) BE CONSISTENT.
3. INCREASING SPIRITUALLY
(a) Develop a meaningful atmosphere
(I) Turn off TV & Radio
(ii) Time can be morning, night or noon. Ps 55:16
(iii) Atmosphere and conversation is vital. Eph.4:29
(b) Deepen your Bible study
(I) Apply the Word to your lives
(ii) Read the Bible with the children
(iii) Do not let good books eliminate the Scripture
(iv) 3 Things to seek in Bible (1) What does it say (2) Mean (3) How apply
(v) Home revolving round Bible is pure, holy and happy.
(vi) No stream rises higher than its source. Ps 119:11
(c) Design a more powerful prayer time.
(I) Be SPECIFIC
(ii) Begin with PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING. Phil 4:6
(iii) KEEP PRAYERS SHORT
(iv) Keep FAMILY PRAYER NOTEBOOK so that prayers mean much,
(d) REGULAR DEVOTIONS WILL INCREASE FAMILY RESPECT FOR YOU
4.IMMEDIATE RESULTS
(a) Development of repentance from sin & wrong. cf. Lev 19:17-18
(b) Family will grow in nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ps 119:97