Family Transformation: Developing Family Prayer Time

Joshua 24:14-15 >>

14Then Joshua told the people:

Worship the LORD, obey him, and always be faithful. Get rid of the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived on the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt. 15But if you don’t want to worship the LORD, then choose right now! Will you worship the same idols your ancestors did? Or since you’re living on land that once belonged to the Amorites, maybe you’ll worship their gods. I won’t. My family and I are going to worship and obey the LORD!

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 >>

6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.

7 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.

8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

—

1. The commitment made by Joshua and his family was that despite everyone else around them (the norm) serving idols and false “gods,” Joshua and his family would serve the Lord! The spiritual condition of my family at this time is that we serve the Lord but I should spend more time with them and build unity. My family tries to put Jesus first, but I think we should evaluate regularly so that we can improve upon things (grow) and not stay stagnant. I care about the spiritual condition of my family.
2. God’s Word must continually be taught and/or discussed in a household of believers to encourage one another and because it is so important. We need to be always reminded and meditate on His Word so that it becomes a part of who we are and we think Biblically (on Biblical principles).  Praying together with my family is so important also [Deuteronomy 6:6-9]. The benefits are that it will unify us in the way we think and act and I believe our discussions would also please the Lord.

COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION: BECOMING CHRIST’S DISCIPLES

John 13:34-35 >>

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

John 15:8 >>

When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

Luke 14:26-27 >>

26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

—

1. From the verses above, characteristics of Christ’s disciples are that they love one another and love God (hate everyone else in comparison). And they produce much fruit! We also have to carry on our cross.
2. Self Reflecting on whether or not I have those characteristics, I would say yes, but sometimes no. For example, if I hold on to something too long without being open and communicating and resolving an issue, I’m not acting in love because then bitterness can come up. To become Christ’s disciples, the kind of lifestyle I should cultivate is one of openness, intimacy with God so I know His will and get energy from Him, and willingness to pick myself up by the bootstraps and carry my cross.

Community Transformation: Building an Altar Wherever We Go

Psalm 133:1-3 >>
A song of ascents. Of David.

1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!

2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.

3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.

Joshua 24:14-15 >>

14Then Joshua told the people:

Worship the LORD, obey him, and always be faithful. Get rid of the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived on the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt. 15But if you don’t want to worship the LORD, then choose right now! Will you worship the same idols your ancestors did? Or since you’re living on land that once belonged to the Amorites, maybe you’ll worship their gods. I won’t. My family and I are going to worship and obey the LORD!

—

1. Declare Joshua 24:14-15 and continue to meditate on the verses.
2. According to Psalm 133, the blessings that lay in agreement and unity are happiness, anointing (?), even life forevermore.
3. To establish agreement and peace in my family, especially in the midst of conflict, I can not be passive but be active in being a peacemaker, not judging or gossipping but being an advocate for open and honest and kind communication.

Family Transformation: Developing Family Prayer Time (2)

Joshua 24:14-15 >>

14Then Joshua told the people:

Worship the LORD, obey him, and always be faithful. Get rid of the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived on the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt. 15But if you don’t want to worship the LORD, then choose right now! Will you worship the same idols your ancestors did? Or since you’re living on land that once belonged to the Amorites, maybe you’ll worship their gods. I won’t. My family and I are going to worship and obey the LORD!

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 >>

6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.

7 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.

8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

—

1. The commitment made by Joshua and his family was that they would worship the Lord and not the gods and idols of their ancestors!

2. God’s word must continually be taught and discussed in a household of believers so that we remember and also to honor God and the importance of His Word and will in our lives. It is good to talk about it because we can also encourage one another by discussing how God is involved in our everyday lives. Praying together with my family is also important because we show God how important HE means to us in our lives, and also we can lift up any conflicts we have with one another there. We are also sharing an experience together where our focus is not on our problems but on God and His love. And strife will cease to exist. We’d be unified in Christ and stronger together than if we were separate. And we’ll be an impact to our community!