Fully Devoted to the Family

Introduction

In writing about the importance of the nuclear family, syndicated columnist, Jonah Goldberg wrote:

“It shouldn't surprise anyone that family structure is so controversial. The family, far more than government or schools, is the institution we draw the most meaning from. From the day we are born, it gives us our identity, our language and our expectations about how the world should work. Before we become individuals or citizens or voters, we are first and foremost part of a family. That is why social engineers throughout the ages see family as a competitor to, or problem for, the state.

And the family wars will never end, because family matters — a lot.”

(https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/op-ed/bs-ed-goldberg-1101-20151030-story.html)

Family is important. It shapes us — for good or ill.

Our family sets us on the path for life.

Our family does not determine our destination (Jesus can redeem any past and our choices are steps that can change the direction of our path)

We have been talking about who we are — Fully Devoted at GMC

Today, we will talk about where we learn to be who we are — Fully Devoted to the Family.

For singles / empty-nesters: don’t tune out.

Just because you are not

Ask the question - “Who’s at your table?” (Who do you regularly share life (meals) with? With whom do you have influence?)

ILLUST - Our family table

Just because your children may no longer live in your house (If your son is 42 and still playing video games in your basement, the influence you need to have is - Get a job!), does not mean your do not or can not have an influence.

These rings of discipleship do not only apply to our immediate family, but to our workplaces, circle of friends, any sphere of influence.

Deuteronomy 6:1–9

1 “Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, 2 that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

Setting the stage for what Jesus will call “The Greatest Commandment.”

Notice how it was God’s intention that it would pass down through the family.

2 that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you,

The Family is the Primary Place for Discipleship

Not the church! Not the school!

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

v. 4 - The Great Shema

means “to listen”

listening assumed obeying.

Three Rings of a Fully Devoted Family

God and You (4-6)

We don’t begin with the outer ring (behavior modification) we begin with the inner ring — the heart.

If it is not in your heart, it won’t be in your home.

If YOU do not love God with all your heart, soul, and strength it is unlikely your children will.

‘You’

Is singular.

‘Love. . .’ You do what you love (and you talk about what you do.)

Unless shown differently, most children will spend their lives trying to prove their worth to you by achieving what you deem worthwhile.

(This is why worshipping with our kids is so important!)

‘heart, soul, and might’

Heart

seat of will and emotions — not romance

Soul

the immaterial part of us

Might

all that we can physically accomplish

lit, everything you have.

** Have kids stand and recite v5 with motions

5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

You and the Family (7-8)

Teach your family as you do life.

You are already making disciples of your children, you are already teaching them.

You don’t need a seminary degree, or formal Bible training.

If Jesus is in your life and you are in your kids lives, you CAN disciple them.

Be ‘Jesus-first’ as you go.

If you are not sure if you are teaching your children Christ — ask them — they’re right next to you.

‘as you do life’

“You shall. . .” really is simply the verb.

LOVE the Lord your God

TEACH them

TALK

7 You shall teach them diligently to your children,

Has the imagery of chipping into stone

hard work but worth the effort.

and shall talk of them

(You do what you love) and you talk about what you do.

when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Literally all of life — in every action at every time.

Leverage the regular rhythms of your life.

ILLUST - my many failures at attempting family devotions during dinner.

The Family and the World (9)

** Note to parents: you are responsible to live and teach the faith. You are NOT responsible for how your children choose to live out the faith you’ve taught.

Three Dangers for the Fully Devoted Family

Abundance (10-15)

Deuteronomy 6:10–14 (ESV)

10 “And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, 11 and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, 12 then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 13 It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. 14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you—

At this time they still have fresh memories of God shaking the mountains, splitting the seas, feeding with manna, providing water from rock.

Soon they will see the Jordan river split, Jericho’s walls crumble, mighty nations run in fear and much more.

They probably think they will never forget. . . but once they settle. . .

It is often when we are settled that we forget what God had done when we were unsettled.

It is a good thing to want a better life for your children. It is a bad thing if it does not include God.

Tell your children the ancient stories of God’s faithfulness, and tell them of the current ones he has brought you through.

Bring them along as you face new challenges and let them see what God can do.

Problems (16-19)

x

Resistance (20-25)

Deuteronomy 6:20–24 (ESV)

20 “When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?’

I always used to think the question is asked with a genuine innocence from a child who is truly wanting to learn.

I’ve come to wonder if perhaps this question is on the lips of the teenager who feels mom and dad’s antiquated rules are stifling a good time.

What is your response?

Because I said so!

Because I’m dad!

Because I brought you into this world and I can take you out!

21 then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22 And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. 23 And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers. 24 And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day.

We do what we do in our family because God is alive and active in our family — even today.

It’s not the rules, it’s the relationship.

If God is NOT active in your life and in your family then it IS just the rules.

Deuteronomy 6:25 (ESV)

25 And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us.’

Righteousness is what we need. Righteousness is what we want for our children.

Righteousness only comes through Jesus. It is through faith in him which is expressed through loving him with everything we are. (the gospel)

Note the commandment that will bring righteousness is singular — righteousness doesn’t come through keeping all the Law, it comes when we live out the Greatest Commandment — that can only happen through the gospel.

*PRAY*