Sermon Based Curriculum
Sermon Date: Nov. 28, 2010
Sermon Title: Family Survival
Sermon Text: Deuteronomy 6:1-9; 11:18-20
Small Group Text: Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Introduction
The transformational message of the gospel is especially obvious to a watching world when communicated through a family’s evident love for God. This family is most often characterized by joy in the home and the general sense of well-being among family members. But this life-enhancing environment does not materialize in a spiritual vacuum. Parents play the prominent role in giving God’s word preeminence in the home, helping the children understand and follow God’s will as the highest form of love and worship of Him. Out of all the social influences (friends, teachers, media, parents, etc), who or what do you think influences a child’s life more than any other factor? Of all the life-lessons your parents taught you, which one has proven the most important to your life?
Discussion
Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9
1. Moses seemed to place an if/then contingency on following God’s word: If the people followed the Scriptures, then they would be blessed. Do you think this was mere religious manipulation; or do you think there’s truth to this principle? If so, why/how do you think it works this way? (6:2) 2. How does it make sense that love for God would be best demonstrated by following His commandments? Can’t a person love God – have a high opinion of God – and still live as they wish? Why or why not? (6:5) 3. When Moses says that God’s laws (Scriptural truths) are to be on people’s hearts, what does he mean and why would this be important? (6:6) 4. What gives parents the advantage, above all other social persuasions, to have a spiritual influence on their children? (6:7)
5. What kind of child do you think would be produced from the parenting model that actually followed Moses prescription for raising godly kids? (6:7) It this model possible in todays world?
Application
1.
If God actually does equate love for Him with the extent to which we know and keep His commandments – based on this criteria – how much do you love God? What steps could you take to “love” Him even more than you do presently? 2. God desires His word to be written on our hearts. Evidently this is very important to our spiritual progress. How might you discover some ways to place God’s word on your heart? Secondly, if you knew how to impress God’s word on your heart, what would be your level of commitment toward pursuing this important goal? 3. Think of children over whom you have influence (yours or others). What are two or three practical ways you could teach these children about God? 4. Though you won’t wear phylacteries or hang mezuzahs on hour doorposts, what might be some other obvious ways to communicate your identity as a follower of God’s word to a watching world?
Sermon-Based Curriculum