A.     Relationships in the world

a.      Key scriptures

2 Corinthians 6:14; 7:1                    Titus 2:9-14

Ephesians 6:5-9                                 Romans 13:1-7

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15                   1 Timothy 6:1-2

1 Peter 2:13-25                                  1 Timothy 2:1-6

Colossians 3:22 - 4:1                        1 Corinthians 10:23 – 11:1

b.     Relationships to Government and Civil Leaders, as Citizens

As disciples of Jesus we should be good citizens and an example for others to follow.  We are ambassadors for Jesus Christ and we need to live lives that are consistent with God’s Word, particularly in the light of all the moral trends in our world today.  We all need to remember to learn the important biblical principle that all government, both national and local, has been set up by God and that we should be subject to authority, no matter who we are (1 Peter 2:13-17).  Paul refers four times in Romans 13:1-7 to God’s part in civil government.  Now when Paul wrote to these Christians, they were living in a world and society that had been subjected to the force, violence and taxes of Rome.  Paul, knowing all this, wrote:

‘Everyone must submit himself to the government authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves.’  (Romans 13:1-2)

Paul did not instruct the Christians to protest or organize a frontal attack.  No!  He knew that the church would not change the structure of the world by direct action.  Such methods would be alien to the teaching of the New Testament.  Jesus said:

‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.’  (Matthew 5:5)

Christians had only one direct action and that was to declare the gospel.  Christians were to be salt to the earth and light to the world (Matthew 5:13-16).  Living and declaring the gospel was priority number one, and by this means they eventually turned the world upside down.  Many people had to die for their faith to achieve this; many were beaten or put in salt mines to work, but in the end they triumphed.  If you lack the boldness to do this, then ask God and He will provide (Acts 4:29-31).

The law of the land is there for our protection.  We may not like it or agree with it and we may even refuse to accept certain government decisions, but unless it violets a higher level of authority, i.e. God’s Word, then we are obligated by God to abide by it (Titus 3:1).  We must not submit to any level of authority if such authority contradicts God’s Word (Matthew 22:21).  Also as Christians we must keep our conscience clear before God (Acts 24:16), because ignoring our conscience will be ignoring God’s alarm bell and this will introduce tension and hardship into the life of a believer (1 Timothy 1:19).  All authority is under God, and rebellion against any level, without call to a higher level, is rebellion against God.

Submission to authority begins in childhood.  The attitude children learn to have towards their parents’ authority will usually be the attitude they will have toward all authority.  Only as we live our lives in submission to authority can there be maturity in our lives.  The key to freedom is not to get out from under all authority and to do our own thing, as most people assume, but rather, learning to relate and to respond to the authority that God places over our live.  We need to pray, intercede and give thanks for all in authority, so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This creates a good ‘atmosphere’ for us as disciples of Jesus to live and share the gospel, because this is what God wants (1 Timothy 2:1-6).

c.      At Work and Business

                It is God’s will that we should be engaged in some kind of employment.  Before sin entered the world, and before the resulting curse came upon mankind, God had given work and responsibility as a very important part of man’s life (Genesis 2:15).  Following God’s curse upon the soil, man was to work buy the sweat of his brow (Genesis 3:19).  Idleness is condemned in the Bible.  We are all commanded to ‘settle down and earn the bread we eat.’  In fact, the Bible says, ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’ (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15).

1.       The employers (or slaves)

As disciples of Jesus they:

-          Should not work just for the money, but for the Lord Jesus and His glory (Ephesians 6:7)

-          Should be submissive and respectful to their employers (masters) and to everyone in authority over them, so that God’s name is honoured and not slandered  (1 Timothy 6:1-2).

2.       The employer  (or master)

As a disciple of Jesus, the employer should be just and fair in all his dealings with his employees and manage them as unto the Lord, fairly and without favouritism.  In fact, employers are just employees of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is closely watching how they treat their employees.  Righteous example and responsible administration are required of them (Colossians 4:1).

3.       God’s promotion principles

-          Watch the small things: ‘Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.’  (Luke 16:10)

-          Handle money wisely: ‘If you have not been trust worthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches.’  (Luke 16:11)

-          Treat other people’s interest and property with care: ‘If you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your won.’  (Luke 16:12)

-          Humble yourself before God: ‘Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.’  (1 Peter 5:6)

-          Be a servant: ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant to all.’  (Mark 9:35)

d.     The Unemployed

As disciples of Jesus they should:

-          Beware of the ‘social security mentality.’

-          Actively seek work and employment

-          Look to God in faith to supply their needs

-          Not be idle, but work anyway to serve the Lord in all their ways and seek to know the place of His appointment (James 4:15; Proverbs 3:5-6).

e.      Life Principles

-          Be an example and earn the right to speak by the way you live.

‘Let your light shine before men, that they might see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.’  (Matthew 5:16)

-          Stay cheerful and do not join the arguing, grumbling and complaining that is all around you (Philippians 2:14).

-          Whatever you do, do with faith, because if you cannot do it with faith, it is sin (Romans 14:23)

-          Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

-          Remember the words of Jesus:

‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’  (Like 9:23).

A.     Key Scriptures

1 Peter 3:1-7                                      1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Colossians 3:18-21                           Matthew 19:1-12

Genesis 2:18-25

A.     The Relationship between Parents and Children

a.      The parents’ Role (Colossians 3:18-20)

Parents are entrusted with the responsibility of developing their children’s God given potential.  Therefore they must raise their children in a godly way (Ephesians 6:4).  In fact, the aim of the parents should be to present their children mature in Christ for service to God.  Children well trained in the ways of God will not turn from those ways when they are older (Proverbs 22:6).  Parents do not own their children, but God has entrusted them with the stewardship of those children.

b.     The Responsibility of Parents to their Children

1.       Children should be wanted and loved

Love shared among family members is essential to a family’s survival.  Without love a home becomes a house where people merely eat, sleep and leave as quickly and as often as possible.  Parents misdirect their love when they show more concern for family projects (e.g. home improvements) than for family members; favour one family member over another (even unintentionally) put their job before the family; spoil their children by refusing to say ‘no’ and by giving them all they want, whether they need it or not; and exercising little or no consistent discipline (i.e. instruction and correction).

2.       God considers children to be a blessing

They are:

-          The heritage of the Lord, i.e. God given (Psalm 127:3)

-          A blessing and not a curse (Deuteronomy 28:4)

-          Arrows of the mighty; a quiver is six (Psalm 127:4-5)

-          The Lord’s reward (Psalm 127:3)

-          Like olive shoots around your table (Psalm 128:3)

-          A crown (Proverbs 17:6)

3.       Children must receive correction when necessary

Parents should discipline their children to avoid spoiling them (Proverbs 29:21).  If parents avoid taking directive influence over their children’s lives – the devil certainly will not.  Children must learn that bad behavior is disciplined, not in anger but in love.  God disciplines us because He loves us, and parents should discipline their children because they love them (Hebrews 12:5-11). 

Correction of children is important for three basic reasons:

-          Foolishness is bound up in a child (Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13-14)

-          Foolishness left in a child will produce pride  (Proverbs 14:3)

-          Foolishness and pride left in a child will eventually destroy him/her because this brings contention (Proverbs 13:10), strive (Proverbs 28:25), and shame (Proverbs 11:12); Proverbs 29:15).

4.       Children are not to be provoked but brought up in the training and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21; Proverbs 22:6)

‘Training’ can be defined: ‘to mould character by drilling, discipline, repetition; and preparing for contest’.  Training is more than teaching, because teaching helps a child know what he is to do, whereas training influences him and sees that he does it. The former deals with the mind and the latter with the will.  Not to watch and correct mistakes, but to watch and prevent mistakes is true training.  Early years of childhood are marked by the liveliness of the feelings and the susceptibility of impressions, and these are used by the parents to create feelings of all that is good, making it attractive and desirable.  The power of effective training lies, not in that which a parent might say and teach, but in what he is and does.  We cannot teach children ideals we fail to live up to ourselves. When we live what we teach we are able to teach others to live (Proverbs 20:7).  Parental love, inspired by God’s love, exercises a mighty influence in the home and it inspires effective nurturing of children.  Love that draws is more than law demands.

5.       Children need to be allowed to grow up and establish independence

Parents need to entrust their children to the Lord and let them grow up.  This needs to be done sensitively by the parents at the right time.  It is right for children to grow up and lose their dependence on their parents.

Guidelines are good things to give children, but parents should not be legalistic about them, especially when children get older.  Communication between parents and children needs to be developed.  There needs to be communication to find out reasons behind behavior, and understanding of attitudes leading to adjustments to guidelines if necessary.  Sometimes children feel and declare that their parents are over protective; they worry too much; they do not listen; they are hypocritical (i.e. they profess to be something they are not).  These things could never be said of parents who love their children in a godly way, because these parents are desirous of being changed in character and behavior by the operation of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit.  God’s way is for children to be brought up in a way that they become Christians themselves and go on to lead their own lives, still with live and respect for their parents.

Remember, rebellion in a teenager is not just a phase through which every child must pass.  Rebellion against parents is a sin.  It is the same as rebelling against the Lord who has appointed the parents to be responsible for their children’s welfare.  In order to avoid this, parents should allow their children to have their independence at the right time.

B.     The Children’s Role (Colossians 3:20)

God expects children to obey, honour, and respect their parents.  This is their   relationship role.  The fifth commandment is:

‘Honour your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your       God us giving you.’  (Exodus 20:12)

This is the first commandment with a promise attached.

Children should seek to be like Jesus, especially in their attitudes and reactions.  Jesus was subject to parental authority even though it seemed at times to run contrary to His father’s business.  Jesus, because of His obedience, grew in wisdom (mentally) and in stature (physically) and in favour with God (spiritually and man (socially) (Luke 2: 46-52).

Children need to seek to maintain a positive, non-angry, non-bitter attitude towards their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3).  They should seek the forgiveness of God and their parents if attitudes have become wrong.  This will release them from guilt, build up of tensions and flare-ups of temper.  It is never right to hold on to bitterness ore resentment (Mark 11:25).  Children should develop confidence in their parents’ ability and submit to what their parents think is right for them.  If what a child’s parents ask is contrary to God’s way, then the child should ask Him to put those He has placed over them to right.

Children are to obey their parents in the Lord and care for them when they are older     (Ephesians 6:1-5; 1 Timothy 5:4, 8).

C.     Questions and Discussion Points

1.       Why is the family unit so important?  Why does it need to be stable?  Why does poor family life result in the progressive breakdown of society?

2.       How can a husband balance the two concepts of love and authority within his family?  Discuss.

3.       Why doesn’t God want anyone who cannot look after his own family to be raised up into spiritual leadership especially in the local church?  (1 Timothy 3:4, 5, 11-12)

4.       Who should make the decisions about which church to attend and where the tithes should go?

5.       Who do partners need to submit to each other out of reverence for Christ?  (Ephesians 5:21)

6.       If your partner does not yet know the Lord, he/she is in a privileged position.  What is it?  (1 Corinthians 7:14)

7.       What is a quarrelsome wife like?  (Proverbs 19:13)

8.       If a wife always acts in reverence and submission to her husband, won’t she become just a ‘doormat’ for him?

9.       God disciplines us because He loves us (Hebrews 1:6).  Shouldn’t parents discipline their children because they love them?

10.   Parents sometimes say the following: ‘As long as you are living in our house, you do as we say, and as soon as you are on your own you can do anything you want to.’

-          Is this the right attitude and reaction to the child?

-          What seeds are being sown by the parents?

-          Does this statement make the child feel that the parent is not caring and what happens to the child after he/she leaves home, and that that day cannot come soon enough?

11.   Should children be encouraged to be worshippers of God?  (Matthew 21:15-16)

12.   Children, if your attitude towards your parents has been wrong, then seek God’s and your parent’s forgiveness.

Parents, if your attitude towards your children has been wrong, then seek God’s and your children’s forgiveness.

D.    Summary and Application

1.       The family unit is instituted by God.  Men, women and children should find stability within it and should enable the spiritual grown of all its members.

2.       The family unit is to have Jesus Christ as its head, i.e. Jesus is to be the Lord of the family.

3.       The husband is Christ’s delegated authority over the family.  He is to be head of his wife and the chief authority over the children.

4.       The husband is to love and lead the wife and he is to act as a priest to his family.

5.       The wife is to be the husband’s helper or helpmate.  She is expected to submit to and respect her husband.

6.       It is God’s desire to save whole households through the prayers and example of the believers in those households (Acts 16:31; 1 Timothy 2:14)

7.       Parents do not own their children.  They are God’s stewards who have the responsibility of bringing up their children in a godly way and of developing their children’s God given potential.

8.       ‘Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.’ (Proverbs 19:18)

9.       Children need to be taught the Word of God  (Deuteronomy 6:1-7)

10.   Correction/discipline or pride/rebellion – the choice lies with the parents in regard to their children’s upbringing.

11.   Children are expected to obey, honour and respect their parents.

12.   ‘Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.’

G.        Be Careful

Paul had to rebuke the Corinthian church because of the way the people were observing the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthian 11:17-34).  Some sent hungry while others got drunk.  By doing this they were despising the church and humiliating other believers.  They may have been having a communal mean but, instead of recognizing the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus and also their brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, they were doing their own thing, and so they were bringing God’s judgement on themselves.  As a result many had been taken ill and some had even died.  To avoid eating and drinking the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner, we must examine ourselves and put right anything that is wrong between ourselves and God, or between ourselves and other people (Psalm 139:23-24).

It must be remembered that different churches/denominations have different rules about the observance of the Lord’s Supper.  It would be quite wrong to go against these rules without the permission of the leadership.

H.        In Summary

                At the Lord’s Supper, look back and remember Calvary.  Look up to bless God and thank Him for His unspeakable gift.  Look around and thank God for your fellow believers, making sure that you are in right relationship with them.  Look in and confess your sins to God because He has promised to cleanse you.  Look forward to the Lord’s return and dedicate yourself to doing His will.

I.                    Questions and Discussion Points

1.       What did Jesus mean when He said, ‘Unless you can eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.’? (John 6:53)  Answer this question after considering the context, i.e. look at John 6:27-58.

2.       What kinds of things would disqualify you from partaking of the Lord’s Supper?

3.       Could people really get ill and even die by partaking of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner?  (1 Corinthians 11:27-32).

4.       Do we need a priest to bless the bread and wine before we partake of them in the Lord’s Supper?  If you have this as part of your denominational tradition then you will need to submit to your leader’s instruction about celebrating the Lord’s Supper.

5.       Why is it possible to receive the healing and release from bandage when you partake of the Lord’s Supper?

6.       Why was the death of Jesus on the cross the most important event in all of history?

7.       Celebrate the Lord’s Supper in your group (if you are permitted to do so by your church leadership) with a grateful, thankful attitude and remember to examine yourself beforehand.  If you need healing or release from bondage etc., then in faith receive from God what you need as you partake of the bread and the wine and as you remember the work of Jesus on the cross.

J.          Summary and Application

1.        The Lord’s Supper is the partaking of bread, which represents Christ’s body broken for us, and wine, which represents Christ’s blood poured out for us.

2.       There is, in the Lord’s Supper, a constant reminder of the covenant between God and His church.  The word ‘remembrance’ in Greek is the word ‘anamnesis’ and this refers not only to man’s remembrance of the Lord, but also to God’s remembrance of the sacrifice of His Son and the covenant He made with men because of His sacrifice.  Every time we participate in the Lord’s Supper, God remembers His promises to us.

3.       The Lord’s Supper directs our attention to Jesus and so it is good to celebrate it any day, in any place, and in and in any circumstance.

4.       When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we celebrate not only God’s covenant with us, but also our relationship in God with each other.

5.       We should participate in the Lord’s Supper only when we are clean before God, and when we partake of the bread and the wine we should do so in faith.