Introduction:

This week's Sabbath School Lesson talks about the Family. What lesson could we glean from this episode of human history. Let's study and pray that God will guide us to grasp the principles in which we can relate to our present condition as we continue on striving to be among God's servants in the 11th hour call {Mat. 20}, during the purification of the church {3T 266, 267}

The family institution is a divine ordinance. Parents stand in the place of God to their children. How grievous in the sight of heaven is the neglect of parents to train their children for the future immortal life. Inspiration declares, "Just as you conduct yourself in your home life, you are registered in the books of heaven. He who would become a saint in heaven, must first become a saint in his own family. If fathers and mothers are true Christians in the family, they will be useful members of the church, and will be able to conduct affairs in the church and in society after the same manner in which they conduct their family concerns. {ST, May 7, 1894 par. 5}

This lesson is divided into two parts:

Part I - The Education in the Family (includes: A. The First Family, B. The Family of Jesus, C. Family Today

Part II - How to Education (which includes: A. Communication, B. Organization

Memory Verse:

My Son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. {Prov. 1:8}

Prayer Thought:

Christians should look upon children as the younger members of the Lord's family, intrusted to the parents and to the church to be trained up as children of God, to be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The Christian family is to be a school of Christ, where parents are to be the visible teachers, but Christ himself the great invisible teacher. The lessons which Christ imparts to the parents they are to repeat to their children line upon line and precept upon precept. Patiently, tenderly, and lovingly their steps are to be guided in the narrow path of holiness. Parents are not to compel their children to have a form of religion, but they are to place eternal principles before them in an attractive light. {ST, May 14, 1894 par. 1}

I. Education in the Family

The mother is to teach the children through their earlier years, and in order to fulfill her great responsibility, she needs to be moulded and fashioned after the similitude of the character of Christ. She is never to use her influence fitfully, unwisely, arbitrarily, simply because it is in her power to do so. She must ever remember that she must render up an account to God for the way she has done her intrusted work. The father should see to it that the mother is not overburdened with the care of many children. Children are not to be crowded upon her so that her physical strength and training capabilities are taxed. Men and women should carefully, conscientiously consider, with an eye single to the glory of God, what is involved in bringing children into the world. When mothers bring forth children in rapid succession, the burdens of caring for and training them are so heavy that they become discouraged, and are not able to accomplish the work that they should in educating their numerous and fast-increasing flock. {ST, May 14, 1894 par. 2}

A mother is but a human being, and the husband and father of the family should unite his efforts with hers in building up a proper family discipline. If he neglects to do his part, failure is registered in the books of heaven against his name, and he will have to give an account of himself before the great white throne. Many fathers think family discipline a light matter, and it does not enter their mind that they have a part to act in cheerfully training and governing the children. The father frequently manifests passion and impatience, and alienates the hearts of his children from him, and yet he often charges the blame of this upon the poor management of the mother. Let Christian parents take heed how they deal with the younger members of the Lord's family. The father and mother should always be at agreement, not working counter to each other, in order that right impressions may be made on the minds of their children. Let parents seek wisdom of God; for he has said, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." {ST, May 14, 1894 par. 3}

A. The First Family

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

1. God Provided a Beautiful Home for the First Family

God prepared for Adam and Eve a beautiful garden. He provided for them everything their wants required. He planted for them trees of every variety, bearing fruit. With a liberal hand he surrounded them with his bounties--the trees for usefulness and beauty, and the lovely flowers which sprung up spontaneously, and flourished in rich profusion around them, were to know nothing of decay. Adam and Eve were rich indeed. They possessed beautiful Eden.

2. Adam a Monarch of a Beautiful Domain

Adam was monarch in this beautiful domain. None can question the fact that Adam was rich. But God knew that Adam could not be happy unless he had employment. Therefore he gave him something to do. He was to dress the garden. {ST, April 29, 1875 par. 1}

3. Exercise in Useful Labor - the Original Plan of God

Exercise in useful labor will be carrying out the original plan of God, when he bade Adam and Eve to dress the garden. Life is precious, and should be preserved intelligently by regarding the laws of our being. {ST, April 29, 1875 par. 3}

4. Adam Perfectly Developed in Glorious Eden

Adam was in glorious Eden. He was perfectly developed, and then set to work by his Maker that by exercise all his muscles should preserve their elasticity. Many young men and ladies are too proud, or too lazy, to engage in useful labor in the house or in the garden. {ST, April 29, 1875 par. 6}

5. Satan succeed in Tempting Adam and Eve - Their Downfall

Satan had been at war with the government of God, since he first rebelled. His success in tempting Adam and Eve in Eden, and introducing sin into the world, had emboldened this arch foe, and he had proudly boasted to the heavenly angels that when Christ should appear, taking man's nature, He would be weaker than himself, and he would overcome Him by his power. He exulted that Adam and Eve in Eden could not resist his insinuations when he appealed to their appetite. The inhabitants of the old world he overcame in the same manner, through the indulgence of lustful appetite and corrupt passions. Through the gratification of appetite he had overthrown the Israelites. He boasted that the Son of God Himself who was with Moses and Joshua was not able to resist his power, and lead the favored people of His choice to Canaan; for nearly all who left Egypt died in the wilderness. Also the meek man, Moses, he had tempted to take to himself glory which God claimed. David and Solomon, who had been especially favored of God, he had induced, through the indulgence of appetite and passion, to incur God's displeasure. And he boasted that he could yet succeed in thwarting the purpose of God in the salvation of man through Jesus Christ. {1SM 268.5}

• Adam and Eve became the first teachers when Cain was born. The family became the heart of human education to this day.

• Children learn about the Christian doctrine and values within the family. They learn about loving God and accepting Jesus as their Savior and Friend.

B. The Family of Jesus

“And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” (Luke 2:40)

The close relationship with the mother and child Jesus were evident in the following statements from inspiration;

1. Jesus loved his mother tenderly; for thirty years he had been subject to parental control; but the time had now come when he was to go about his Father's business. In rebuking his mother, Jesus also rebukes a large class who have an idolatrous love for their family, and allow the ties of relationship to draw them from the service of God. Human love is a sacred attribute; but should not be allowed to mar our religious experience, or draw our hearts from God. {3Red 6.1}

2. The last lesson of Jesus was one of filial love. He looked upon the grief-stricken face of His mother, and then upon John; said He, addressing the former: "Woman, behold thy son!" Then, to the disciple: "Behold thy mother!" John 19:27. John well understood the words of Jesus, and the sacred trust which was committed to him. He immediately removed the mother of Christ from the fearful scene of Calvary. From that hour he cared for her as would a dutiful son, taking her to his own home. The perfect example of Christ's filial love shines forth with undimmed luster from the mist of ages. While enduring the keenest torture, He was not forgetful of His mother, but made all provision necessary for her future. {SR 224.1}

• God chose Jesus' parents very carefully, as they'd be responsible for His education:

(1) Joseph: A righteous and obedient man (Matthew 1:18-25; 2:13-15, 19- 23).

(2) Mary: A spiritual, intelligent, determined, obedient, humble, and helpful woman. She trusted God completely (Luke 1:26-38, 46-56).

• Both were upright people. They knew how to educate their children in God's love and obedience.

• God became Jesus' teacher as He grew (John 12:49).

C. Family Today

“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

1. The Work of Sanctification begins at home.

It is God's purpose that the families of his people shall be symbols of the family above. Those who are Christians in the home will be Christians in the church and in the world. Many do not grow in grace and in knowledge of the truth because they fail to cultivate home religion. {SW, January 19, 1904 par. 2}

2. Principles to be Developed in Our Homes

a. Guarding the Tongue

b. The Power of Example

c. The Importance of Self-Control

d. Working in Harmony

e. The Mother's Influence

• The father is the head of the family (Ephesians 5:23), so he is responsible for representing Christ’s character at home (Ephesians 5:25).

• The mother is the greatest influence in the personality, character, and temperament of their children.

• Parents must work together in educating their children.

• In the Bible, parents are told to teach their children how to love God and obey Him (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).

• Children will be responsible for their actions once they become adult. However, parents are responsible for planting the seed in them that will grow for eternal life (Proverbs 22:6).

II. How to Educate

A. Communication

“The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.” (Proverbs 10:32)

• Appropriate communication is essential in education. Parents must devote time to communicating with their children (not just talking, but also listening to them).

• Communication must include an emotional side too. Parents should show love in every action.

• We should always ask God for wisdom on how to properly imprint the Christian values on the hearts of our children, by using our words and our example.

• The time we spent communicating with each member of our family will be worth it.

B. Organization

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV)

• It’s important to set a specific time apart for sharing God’s wisdom and promises with our children.

• Pray with them and schedule a morning and/or evening family worship time.

• “Teach a child how to follow the right way; even when he is old, he will stay on course.” (Proverbs 22:6 VOICE).

From the Pen of Inspiration:

"His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6. {Ed 73.1}

In the Teacher sent from God, heaven gave to men its best and greatest. He who had stood in the councils of the Most High, who had dwelt in the innermost sanctuary of the Eternal, was the One chosen to reveal in person to humanity the knowledge of God. {Ed 73.2}

Through Christ had been communicated every ray of divine light that had ever reached our fallen world. It was He who had spoken through everyone that throughout the ages had declared God's word to man. Of Him all the excellences manifest in the earth's greatest and noblest souls were reflections. The purity and beneficence of Joseph, the faith and meekness and long-suffering of Moses, the steadfastness of Elisha, the noble integrity and firmness of Daniel, the ardor and self-sacrifice of Paul, the mental and spiritual power manifest in all these men, and in all others who had ever dwelt on the earth, were but gleams from the shining of His glory. In Him was found the perfect ideal. {Ed 73.3}