Take a look at the homes of your acquaintances out in the world; then look at the homes of your fellow Christians. Perhaps take a look into your own home. What do you see? Sadly, many Christian homes (even among Seventh-day Adventists) are hardly any different than those of the world. Dating customs and premarital sex, the high rate of divorce, confusion of the man’s and woman’s roles, rebellious children and teenagers; in all of these areas we can in many cases see almost no difference between the homes of God’s professed people and those of the world. It is time to come back to God’s plan for family happiness, and in this lesson we will study together what that is.

1) Who must be in charge of our homes and families in order for them to be a success?

__________________________

“Except the ________ build the __________, they labour in ________ that __________ it.” Psalms 127:1

2) What lessons can we learn from the story of Isaac about how God would have us to find a spouse?

“And I (Abraham) will make thee (my servant) swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac…. The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again…. And he (the servant) said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham…. And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: [let the same be] she [that] thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast showed kindness unto my master…. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels [were] coming. And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. For she [had] said unto the servant, What man [is] this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant [had] said, It [is] my master: therefore she took a veil, and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's [death]…. And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.” Genesis 24:3, 4, 7, 8, 12, 14, 63-67, 25:20 (you may read all of chapter 24 for the full story.)

“Can ______ walk ________________, except they be ____________?” Amos 3:3

“Be ye not _____________________________ together with _____________________: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” 2 Corinthians 6:14-15

First, we see that it is very important to marry someone who is of your same faith, whose convictions and beliefs are the same as yours. The second point we find in this story is that a young lady who will make a suitable life companion will be willing to cheerfully support her husband in the work God has given him to do. Third, the decision of whom to court or marry is to be made with much prayer. Fourth, you should look for someone who has a good character, manifesting unselfishness and the fruits of the Spirit in his or her life, and should strive to have these fruits in your own life as well. Fifth, both of you must have a personal walk with God, knowing Him as your Lord and Savior. Sixth, the two of you must maintain proper modesty, reserve, and propriety, during your courtship, reserving all interactions of a sexual nature for after the wedding. Seventh, you should respect and accept the counsel and wisdom of you God-fearing parents even when it crosses your own wishes. Eighth, the young man who will make a suitable life companion is one who is prepared to love his wife and provide for her spiritual, emotional, and temporal needs. And finally, ninth, those who seek to enter courtship and then marriage should not be in a hurry, but should exercise patience and wait until they are of mature age and have taken the time necessary to sufficiently get to know the one they intend to marry. If these guidelines would be followed in every courtship today, there would be far fewer unhappy marriages and far more happy ones.

Briefly summarize these nine points below:

1_______________________________________________________________________

2_______________________________________________________________________3_______________________________________________________________________4_______________________________________________________________________5_______________________________________________________________________6_______________________________________________________________________7_______________________________________________________________________8_______________________________________________________________________9_______________________________________________________________________

3) What 15 characteristics of godly courtship can you find in the quotes below:

1_______________________________________________________________________

2_______________________________________________________________________

3_______________________________________________________________________

4_______________________________________________________________________

5_______________________________________________________________________

6_______________________________________________________________________

7_______________________________________________________________________

8_______________________________________________________________________

9_______________________________________________________________________

10______________________________________________________________________

11______________________________________________________________________

12______________________________________________________________________

13______________________________________________________________________

14______________________________________________________________________

15______________________________________________________________________

“Weigh every sentiment, and watch every development of character in the one with whom you think to link your life destiny. The step you are about to take is one of the most important in your life, and should not be taken hastily. While you may love, do not love blindly. Examine carefully to see if your married life would be happy or inharmonious and wretched. Let the questions be raised, Will this union help me heavenward? Will it increase my love for God? And will it enlarge my sphere of usefulness in this life? If these reflections present no drawback, then in the fear of God move forward.” AH 45

While pure love will take God into all its plans, and will be in perfect harmony with the Spirit of God, passion will be headstrong, rash, unreasonable, defiant of all restraint, and will make the object of its choice an idol. In all the deportment of one who possesses true love, the grace of God will be shown. Modesty, simplicity, sincerity, morality, and religion will characterize every step toward an alliance in marriage.” AH 50

“The ideas of courtship have their foundation in erroneous ideas concerning marriage. They follow impulse and blind passion. The courtship is carried on in a spirit of flirtation. The parties frequently violate the rules of modesty and reserve and are guilty of indiscretion, if they do not break the law of God…. Not one word should be spoken, not one action performed, that you would not be willing the holy angels should look upon and register in the books above. You should have an eye single to the glory of God. The heart should have only pure, sanctified affection, worthy of the followers of Jesus Christ, exalted in its nature, and more heavenly than earthly.” AH 55

“Never should God's people venture upon forbidden ground. Marriage between believers and unbelievers is forbidden by God.” AH 63

“If men and women are in the habit of praying twice a day before they contemplate marriage, they should pray four times a day when such a step is anticipated.” AH 71

“The fifth commandment is the only commandment to which is annexed a promise, but it is held lightly and is even positively ignored by the lover's claim. Slighting a mother's love, dishonoring a father's care are sins that stand registered against many youth.” AH 73

4) How does God feel about a marriage that brings honor to Him?

“And the third day there was a ________________ in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine…. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare [it]…. This __________________________________________ did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” John 2:1-3, 7-8, 11 (see verses1-11 for the whole story)

“Marriage [is] ____________________ in all, and the bed undefiled:” Hebrews 13:4

5) What keys does the Bible give us for having a happy marriage? List some that you find, here: _______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“[Be] ____________________________________ one to another with ______________

________________; in __________________________________ one another;”

Romans 12:10

“Charity ____________________________, [and] is ________; charity ______________

________; charity ________________________ itself, is not __________________, Doth not ___________________________________________, ____________________ her ______, is ______________________________________, _____________________

_____________; __________________________ in ________________, but __________________ in the __________; ____________________________________, __________________ all things, ____________ all things, ________________ all things. Charity _________________________:” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

A godly, happy marriage is characterized by unselfish love for each other, putting each other first, honoring each other, being longsuffering with one another’s faults, not being easily angered, always looking for and thinking on the best in each other, spending time together, doing the things which bring happiness to each other (as long as those things are not dishonoring to God), showing tender love and affection to each other, little acts of kindness, open communication, and sticking together with a hope in God and in what He will do for the two of you no matter what comes. Do you have these characteristics in your marriage? If not, or if not as fully as you would like, what changes can you make in your own life to make things better? Don’t try to change your spouse first, nagging, criticizing, and picking fault with him or her while justifying yourself. Let God work the transformation first in your own heart and life as you cooperate with Him, and I believe you will be amazed at how God will then work conviction and reformation in your spouse as you earnestly pray for them.

Always be on guard against those things which make for an unhappy marriage - criticizing and finding fault with each other, nagging, complaining about your spouse to family or friends, making a joke at the expense of the other’s feelings, becoming cold or withdrawn when you are offended or have your feelings hurt, lashing out with harsh, impatient, or irritated words, wearing a sour or unpleasant face, getting so busy with making money or other activities around the home that you have little time for each other, forgetting to carry on the special little things you did for each other during courtship, flirting with people of the opposite sex other than your spouse, thinking on unhappy and dissatisfied thoughts about your spouse and your marriage. If you think of any other things you may have been guilty of and now want to stop doing with God’s help, you can add them to the list.

6) What does the Bible say about divorce? _____________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made [them] at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man __________ father and mother, and shall ____________ to his wife: and they __________ shall be __________________? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore ______ hath ___________________________, let not ______ put ______________. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of ______________________, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the ________________ of your hearts ________________ you to put away your wives: but from the ___________________ it was not so. And ______ _______ unto you, Whosoever shall ________________ his wife, ____________ [it be] for ______________________, and shall __________________________, ______________________________________: and whoso marrieth ______ which is ________________ doth ______________________________.” Matthew 19:3-9

“For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to [her] husband so long as he ____________; but if the husband be ________, she is loosed from the law of [her] husband. So then if, while [her] husband ____________, she be ______________ to ______________________, she shall be called an ____________________: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.” Romans 7:2-3

Clearly, marriage is meant to be for life, and divorce is something that should not even be an option for the Christian couple. “A woman may be legally divorced from her husband by the laws of the land and yet not divorced in the sight of God and according to the higher law. There is only one sin, which is adultery, which can place the husband or wife in a position where they can be free from the marriage vow in the sight of God. Although the laws of the land may grant a divorce, yet they are husband and wife still in the Bible light, according to the laws of God.” AH 344. There may be cases of abuse where separation for a time or permanently may be necessary, but God’s Word gives only one allowance for divorce, which is when one spouse commit’s the act of adultery, in which case the other spouse is free to divorce and remarry.

7) What are the Biblical roles given for man and woman, husband and wife?

Man ___________________________________________________________________

Woman ________________________________________________________________

“And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an ___________________ for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This [is] now ________ of my bones, and __________ of my flesh: she shall be called __________, because she was taken out of ______. Therefore shall a man __________ his father and his mother, and shall ___________ unto his wife: and they shall be ________________.” Genesis 2:18-24

“Unto the __________ he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy ____________ [shall be] to thy ______________, and he shall ________ over thee.” Genesis 3:16

“But I would have you know, that the ________ of every ______ is ____________; and the ________ of the __________ [is] the ______; and the head of Christ [is] God. Every man praying or prophesying, having [his] head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with [her] head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover [his] head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the __________ is the __________ of the ______. For the man is not of the woman; but the _______________ the ______. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the __________________ the ______.” 1 Corinthians 11:3-9

“Likewise, ye __________, [be] in ____________________ to your own ________________; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation [coupled] with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the ____________________ also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in ____________________ unto their own husbands: Even as Sara ____________ Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye ________________, dwell with [them] according to __________________, giving ____________ unto the ________, as unto the ____________ vessel, and as being heirs ________________ of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” 1 Peter 3:1-7

“That they may teach the young __________ to be __________, to ________ their ________________, to ________ their ________________, [To be] _______________, ____________, ______________________________, ________, ________________ to their own _________________, that the word of God be not ____________________.” Titus 2:4-5

“___________, ____________ yourselves unto your own ________________, as unto the ________. For the ______________ is the ________ of the ________, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is ______________ unto Christ, so [let] the __________ [be] to their own ________________ in ______________________. _________________, ________ your __________, ______________ Christ also __________ the church, and ________ himself for it;… Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so ________ his wife ______________________________; and the ________ [see] that she __________________ [her] husband.” Ephesians 5:22-25, 33

“Wives, ___________________________________ unto your own husbands, ________ ______________ in the ________. Husbands, ________ [your] wives, and be not bitter against them.” Colossians 3:18-19

The husband is to be the spiritual leader, the head of the home. He is to love his wife unselfishly, listening to and valuing her thoughts, leading her, and protecting her. He is to be involved in raising his children for the Lord, and is to provide for the temporal needs of his family as well. The wife is to be her husband’s “helpmeet”, to submit to him (as long as he is not asking her to disobey God), honor and respect him, and love him. She is to be the keeper at home, making home clean and pleasant, caring for and training her children, and preparing nutritional meals for her family.

“The Lord has constituted the husband the head of the wife to be her protector; he is the house-band of the family, binding the members together, even as Christ is the head of the church and the Saviour of the mystical body. Let every husband who claims to love God carefully study the requirements of God in his position. Christ's authority is exercised in wisdom, in all kindness and gentleness; so let the husband exercise his power and imitate the great Head of the church.” FLB 259

“The husband is the head of the family, as Christ is the head of the church; and any course which the wife may pursue to lessen his influence and lead him to come down from that dignified, responsible position is displeasing to God. It is the duty of the wife to yield her wishes and will to her husband. Both should be yielding, but the Word of God gives preference to the judgment of the husband. And it will not detract from the dignity of the wife to yield to him whom she has chosen to be her counselor, adviser, and protector. The husband should maintain his position in his family with all meekness, yet with decision.” 1T 307, 308

“The requirements of the husband may sometimes seem unreasonable to the wife, when if she should calmly, candidly take the second view of the matter, in as favorable a light for him as possible, she would see that to yield her own way and submit to his judgment, even if it conflicted with her feelings, would save them both from unhappiness and would give them great victory over the temptations of Satan.” 1T 308

The Spirit of Prophecy also clarifies the point that the wife is not to submit to her husband when he is asking her to disobey God. “Many husbands stop at the words, ‘Wives, submit yourselves,’ but we will read the conclusion of the same injunction, which is. ‘As it is fit in the Lord.’ God requires that the wife shall keep the fear and glory of God ever before her. Entire submission is to be made only to the Lord Jesus Christ, who has purchased her as His own child by the infinite price of His life. God has given her a conscience, which she cannot violate with impunity.” CCh 138

In our society today, there is much pressure on women to be “liberated” and assert their “rights”, to get a big education, make a career for themselves, and earn lots of money; instead of being just “lowly” wives, mothers, and homemakers. But this view is in direct opposition to the Word of God. Ladies, God has given you a work to do, and it is not in developing a big career for yourself outside the home. Your career is in your home. Cut back on spending and live simpler if need be, but if at all possible, be at home for your husband and your children, and be the submissive wife and godly mother that God intends you to be.

Let’s look at just a sampling of what the Spirit of Prophecy says about these issues:

“Those who feel called out to join the movement in favor of woman's rights… might as well sever all connection with the third angel's message. The spirit which attends the one cannot be in harmony with the other.” 1T 457

“If you ignore your duty as a wife and mother and hold out your hands for the Lord to put another class of work in them, be sure that He will not contradict Himself; He points you to the duty you have to do at home. If you have the idea that some work greater and holier than this has been entrusted to you, you are under a deception…. The Lord has not called you to neglect your home and your husband and children. He never works in this way; and He never will. ” AH 245, 246

“These women who are doing with ready willingness what their hands find to do, with cheerfulness of spirit aiding their husbands to bear their burdens and training their children for God, are missionaries in the highest sense.” AH 245

“There is a God above, and the light and glory from His throne rests upon the faithful mother as she tries to educate her children to resist the influence of evil. No other work can equal hers in importance…. It is hers, with the help of God, to develop in a human soul the likeness of the divine. The mother who appreciates this will regard her opportunities as priceless.” MH 378

“Woman in her home, doing the simple duties of life that must be done, can and should exhibit faithfulness, obedience, and love, as sincere as angels in their sphere. Conformity to the will of God makes any work honorable that must be done.” AH 24

8) What counsel and encouragement does the Bible give to parents?

“Lo, ________________ [are] an ________________ of the ________: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] ____________. As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man; so [are] children of the youth. __________ [is] the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” Psalms 127:3-5

“______________ [is] every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: __________ [shalt] thou [be], and [it shall be] well with thee. Thy wife [shall be] as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy ________________ like ________________________ round about thy table.” Psalms 128:1-3

“________________ a __________ in the _________________________________: and when he is old, he will ____________________ from it.” Proverbs 22:6

“And, ye fathers, ______________________ your ________________ to __________: but __________________________ in the ______________ and ___________________ of the ________.” Ephesians 6:4

“Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall ____________________ your ________________, ________________ of them when thou ______________ in thine house, and when thou ______________ by the way, when thou __________ down, and when thou ____________ up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.” Deuteronomy 11:18-21

“The ______ and ______________ give ____________: but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame…. ______________ thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” Proverbs 29:15-17

“Then were there brought unto him _______________________________, that he should put [his] hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, ____________ little children, and ______________________________, to ________ unto ____: for ______________ is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:13, 14

Parents, it is your responsibility to raise your children, those precious blessings God has lent to you, in the fear of the Lord. No one else (daycare, teachers, Sabbath school leaders, Pastors, etc.) can take this responsibility for you, because God has given it to you. He has placed your children in your care, and it is of you that He will require an account of how you have raised them. Firmly and consistently, but in love, teach them to love and obey the Lord, and to love and obey you as their parents. Let your example show them how to find true happiness.

“Children are committed to their parents as a precious trust, which God will one day require at their hands. We should give to their training more time, more care, and more prayer. . . . Remember that your sons and daughters are younger members of God's family. He has committed them to your care, to train and educate for heaven. You must render an account to Him for the manner in which you discharge your sacred trust.”

AH 161

“Parents, you carry responsibilities that no one can bear for you. As long as you live, you are accountable to God to keep His way. . . . Parents who make the word of God their guide, and who realize how much their children depend upon them for the characters they form, will set an example that it will be safe for their children to follow.” AH 187

Children who are raised in a loving, stable home where Bible principles are the rule of the household, are usually far more happy, contented, and devoted to their parents (and also grow up to be far more solid and committed Christians), then the youth who grow up in indulgent homes where only the parent’s mood at the moment rules, who most often grow up unhappy, rebellious, and unfulfilled.

9) What instruction does the Bible give to children?

“Children, _________________________________________________________: for this is __________. ____________ thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be ________ with thee, and thou mayest __________________ on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3

“My son, ________ thy father's ______________________, and ___________________ the ______ of thy mother: ________ them ______________________ upon thine __________, [and] tie them about thy neck. When thou __________, it shall ________ thee; when thou ________________, it shall ________ thee; and [when] thou ______________, it shall ________ with thee. For the commandment [is] a ________; and the law [is] __________; and ________________ of ______________________ [are] the way of ________:” Proverbs 6:20-23

“Even a __________ is __________ by his ____________, whether his ________ [be] ________, and whether [it be] __________.” Proverbs 20:11

“________________, ________ [your] ______________ in all things: for this is __________________________ unto the ________.” Colossians 3:20

“____________ thy ____________ and thy ____________: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12

“A ________ son ______________ his father's ______________________: but a scorner ______________________ rebuke.” Proverbs 13:1

10) What is the best school for our children to attend? ____________________________

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

Luke 2:52

“And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” John 7:15

Jesus, our Example, was not trained in the schools of the Rabbis, but at home. He learned at His Mother’s knee from the Scriptures and the things of nature. Today, even more than in Jesus’ day, the best school for our children is home school. Public schools are overflowing with dangerous and ungodly influences - evolution and atheistic concepts are taught by their teachers; violence, vice, and immorality are taught and lauded by their peers. Even in church schools, our children are constantly exposed to worldly influences from their peers and maybe even their teachers (TV programs and movies recounted, novels and fairy tales shared or found in the school library, immodesty and vain apparel portrayed in teachers they look up to, sassing, tattle-taleing, boy / girl talk, hitting, and other harmful behaviors learned from peers). How can we in good conscience place our children, so young and so easily influenced, in these places which are sure to destroy their spiritual life? God will give you wisdom and ability to give your children a quality education at home, if you seek Him for it.

11) How important is having family worship and spending quality time together as a family? ________________________________

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt __________________________________________ unto thy ________________, and shalt ________________________ when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7

To build a strong foundation for your family of love for God and for each other, it is essential to have family worship in your home to begin each day and to close it. Make worship interesting for the children with singing, Bible stories and discussions, and prayer. Let the children be involved reading, offering prayer, or putting felts up.

It is also very important to spend quality time together throughout the day. Some families have set aside a couple of hours each evening as “family time” to do something special together, and have found it to be a wonderful tool in bonding the hearts of the children and parents to each other.

12) Is it important to help our children choose proper associations, and to be involved in their times of association with others? YES / NO

“Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the ______________ of the ______________, nor standeth in the way of ______________, nor sitteth in the seat of the ________________. But his ______________ [is] in the ______ of the ________; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalms 1:1-2

“A man [that hath] ______________ must ________ himself ________________: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

“Be not ________________: _____________________________________________ _____________ good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

“Know ye not that ______________________________ leaveneth the _____________

________?” 1 Corinthians 5:6

Our ultimate goal as parents should be to train our children to choose their own associations wisely, and to always stand for the right and be a good influence on those with whom they associate; but while they are still in their childhood and youth, we will be by their side to help them and guide them in these things as they associate with others.

“Young children, if left to themselves, learn the bad more readily than the good. Bad habits agree best with the natural heart, and the things which they see and hear in infancy and childhood are deeply imprinted upon their minds; and the bad seed sown in their young hearts will take root and will become sharp thorns to wound the hearts of their parents.” CG 302

“Shield them, as faithful mothers should, from becoming contaminated by associating with every young companion. Keep them, as precious jewels, from the corrupting influence of this age. If you are situated so that their intercourse with young associates cannot always be overruled, as you would wish to have it, then let them visit your children in your presence;” CG 460

“Teach them that they are not to be swayed by others, that they are not to yield to wrong influences, but to influence others for good, to ennoble and elevate those with whom they associate. Teach them that if they connect themselves with God, they will have strength from Him to resist the fiercest temptations.” CG 407

13) How important is cleanliness, orderliness, organization, and a schedule in the Christian home? ___________________________________

“Go to the ______, thou ________________; ________________ her ways, and be ________: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? [Yet] a little __________, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy ______________ come as one that travelleth, and thy ________ as an armed man.” Proverbs 6:6-11

“He also that is ________________ in his work is brother to him that is a great ____________.” Proverbs 18:9

“Not ________________ in business; ______________ in spirit; ______________ the Lord;” Romans 12:11

“To every [thing there is] a ____________, and a ________ to every ______________ under the heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as __________, but as ________, ____________________________________, because the days are evil.”

Ephesians 5:15-16

“For God is not [the author] of __________________, but of __________, as in all churches of the saints…. Let ____________________ be done ________________ and in __________. 1 Corinthians 14:33, 40

The atmosphere of the home is largely affected by whether or not it is clean, orderly, inviting, and guided by a timely routine. A dirty, cluttered, disorganized home, or one whose daily schedule is always changing and controlled by circumstances, is not rightly representative of the transforming power of Christ. If your home has been too much like this in the past, ask the Lord to help you make a change, make a definite plan of how to do it, and then set forward to carry it out. Your home will be so much happier and more peaceful if you do.

14) Read the quotes below, and then write down four descriptions given in them of what the Christian home should be to those in it, and to those outside.

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“Home should be made all that the word implies, a little heaven on earth….” AH 15.

“The home should be to the children the most attractive place in the world, and the mother’s presence should be its greatest attraction.” AH 21.

“One well-ordered, well-disciplined family tells more in behalf of Christianity than all the sermons that can be preached…. The greatest evidence of the power of Christianity that can be presented to the world is a well-ordered, well-disciplined family. This will recommend the truth as nothing else can, for it is a living witness of its practical power upon the heart.” AH 32

15) What work does the Bible tell us is to be done in families before Jesus comes?

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“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall ____________________________ of the ______________ to the ________________, and the heart of the ________________ to their ______________, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Malachi 4:5-6

16) As we have studied together God’s plan and desire for our homes, has your heart been stirred? Have you seen a clearer picture of God’s high ideal, and perhaps been convicted of some areas where your family has fallen short? On a separate piece of paper, write these areas down for your own reminder, and what practical steps you plan to take to change them. In the blanks below, write how God has spoken to you through this lesson, and what kind of home you would like yours to become.

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