THE

HOME



Sunday Morning Bible Class Series


Presented at: Spruce Pine church of Christ

108 McHone Road, Spruce Pine NC 28777

By: John Cripps


THE HOME

The enclosed series of lessons will be used as a format for the in-class teaching of adults and young people for the next three months. Our Teachers have prepared lesson plans for these lessons. This program of teaching is designed as an aid to the parent's personal obligation of home study with their children.

Your part in this study will be to give your children ten to twenty minutes of study per day, five days a week. Each day study one daily study selection from the next Sunday's lesson, thereby covering all five daily studies each week. It is suggested that you use the Memory Work the first day, so it may be learned through repetition the following days.

To assist you in relating the verses to the coming Sunday's class, these lesson outlines are provided to you in advance for the entire 13 weeks.

Do Not Let Your Children down . . . Set aside a certain portion of each day for Bible study (such as each evening after supper). Make it a habit and be consistent, and your children will reap the benefits the rest of their lives. The remembrance of these few minutes will cause them to be thankful always.

Each child will be given credit in class each week for memory work and participation in all five Daily Studies. This recognition is arranged so that he may make up any previous week's work missed when absent.


I am indebted to brother Edward O. Bragwell for this study material


Week 1

Series Title: The Home

Lesson Title: The Home God Designed.


Memory Work: "And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." -Gen. 2:18


Day 1 Defining The Home

A. Home-House (a dwelling) - terms are used interchangeably, places used referring to a dwelling place. (Acts 2:46; Mk. 8:3; Acts 5:42).

B. Sometimes used to refer to "all persons forming one family, a household (metonomy)" Thayer's Lexicon. (Luke 11:17; Acts 10:2; 11:14; I Cor. 1:16; 1 Tim. 3:4-5; 2 Tim. 4:19; Heb. 11:7).

Day 2 The First Household

A. God created woman for man. (Gen. 2:18-25).

B. Children were added to the household. (Gen. 4:1-2).

Day 3 Extended Household

A. Responsibility extends beyond parents and children. (1 Tim. 5:3-4).

B. Example - Abraham looked after Terah and Lot. (Gen. 11:31; 12:5; 46:1-7).

Day 4 Atmosphere

A. Love (Eph. 5:23-30; Tit. 2:3-5).

B. Piety (devotion), honor. (Eph. 6:1-4; 1 Pet. 3:7; Eph. 5:23).

Day 5 A Place To Serve Others

A. Hospitality (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:1-2; 1 Pet. 4:9)

B. Examples (Gen. 18:1-33; Acts 16:14-16; 2 Tim. 1:16-18).


Week 2

Series Title: The Home

Lesson Title: The Marriage


Memory Work: "… a man shall leave his father and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." - Matt. 19:5


Day 1 Instituted by God from the beginning.

A. God made woman from man for man. (Gen. 2:18-23).

B. Man was to cleave to his wife - they were to be one. (Gen. 2:24-25).

C. God joined them together for a lifelong relationship. (Matt. 19:4-6).

Day 2 Purpose of Marriage

A. To provide companionship and help. (Gen. 2:18-23).

B. To produce children. (Gen. 1:28; 3:16; 9:7; 1 Tim. 3:14,15)

C. To prevent immorality. (1 Cor. 7:2; Heb. 13:4)

Day 3 Marriage is not for all. (Matt. 19:10-12; 1 Cor. 7:25-35).

Day 4 Relationships in Marriage

A. Husband to honor wife. (Eph. 5:25; Col. 3:19)

B. Wife to be subject to husband. (Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18)

C. Children to honor and obey parents. (Eph. 6:1; Col. 3:20).

Day 5 Marriage is an example of Christ and the Church. (Eph. 5:22-23; Rev. 21:1-9)


Week 3

Series Title: The Home

Lesson Title: Marriage and Divorce


Memory Work: "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." - Matt. 19:6


Day 1 A Marriage Ceases At Death.

A. Marriage is broken with honor to both parties only by death of one of the parties. (Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:39).

B. Under Moses' law, a brother must marry his deceased brother's childless wife to raise children for perpetuation of his brother's name. This caused a question about the marriage relationship after death. (Matt. 22:23-33).

Day 2 Divorce was permitted under Moses Law.

A. Moses allowed the husband to divorce his wife. (Deut. 24:1-4).

B. This situation was permitted on a temporary basis because of the hardness of the people's hearts. (Matt. 19:3-9).

C. God did not want divorce from the beginning. (Matt. 19:8).

Day 3 Divorce under Christ's Reign.

A. Man is not to break what God has joined together. (Matt. 19:9).

B. Divorce subjects both parties to the sin of adultery. (Mk. 10:2-12; Lk. 16:18)

Day 4 Separation or Leaving One's Mate, under Christ's Reign.

A. The Lord commanded that a Christian cannot "depart" from their mate. (1 Cor. 7:10-11).

B. A Christian with an unbelieving mate is also commanded not to leave.(1 Cor. 7:12-14, 16).

C. To "depart" would violate the relationship between man and wife of giving due benevolence. (1 Cor. 7:2-5).

Day 5 Authorized Exception To Divorce or Separation.

A. Jesus taught that fornication is the one exception that permits divorce. In this case, for the innocent party's sake, God permits the innocent to divorce the guilty mate and marry another, if they choose. (NOTE: This must take place as a result of fornication) (Matt. 5:32; Matt. 19:9).

B. God allows the Christian to remain separated from an unbelieving mate only if the unbelieving mate chooses to depart. (1 Cor. 7:15). (NOTE: Remarriage is not under consideration).


Week 4

Series Title: The Home

Lesson Title: God's Restrictions on Marriage


Memory Work: "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." -Matt. 19:9


Day 1 Who is permitted to marry?

A. Those previously unmarried. (1 Cor. 7:2,28)

B. Those whose companions are dead. (1 Cor. 7:39; Rom 7:2-3).

C. Those who have put away companions for fornication. (Matt. 19:9).

Day 2 Who is not permitted to marry?

A. Those who have living companions. (Rom. 7:2-3).

B. Those who have put away their companions for reasons other than fornication. (Matt. 5:32; Mark 10:2-12)

C. Those who have been put away. (Matt. 19:9).



Day 3 Those whom one may not marry.

A. Any divorced person who did not put away the former companion for fornication. (Matt. 19:9).

B. Christian widows may marry "only in the Lord". (1 Cor. 7:39).

C. It is unwise, to say the least, for any believer to marry an unbeliever.

1. Non-believer may want to depart. (1 Cor. 7:12-15).

2. Can easily create an unequal yoking. (2 Cor. 6:14-18).

Day 4 Precautions against marrying unbelievers.

A. Marriage distracts some from service to God. Pleasing the unbeliever would make service to God harder. (1 Cor. 7:32-35).

B. God commanded Israel not to marry into other nations because it would turn them away from him. (Duet. 7:1-4).

C. Solomon caused to sin by the foreign women he married. (Neh. 13:23-27).

D. We should avoid every hindrance. (Heb. 12:1-2).

Day 5 Only one mate is intended.

A. Elders and deacons required to be "Husband of one wife".

B. The church is to care only for widows who have been the wife of one man. (1 Tim. 5:9).


Week 5

Series Title: The Home

Lesson Title: The Father/Husband in the Home


Memory Work: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it," (Eph. 5:25)


Day 1 The Father is the head of the Home

A. Man or husband as head over woman as Christ is the church. (Eph. 5: 21-23).

B. All men should have Christ as their head. (1 Cor. 11:1-3).

C. The husband is to honor his wife. (1 Pet. 3:7).

Day 2 The Husband is to Love his Wife

A. A perfect picture of a husband's love is Christ's love for the church (Eph. 5:25-33; Col. 3:19)

B. Dwell with the wife according to knowledge as being heirs together of the grace of God (1 Pet. 3:7; Eccl. 9:9).



Day 3 The Husband and/or Father is to provide for his family

A. Leave father and mother. (Gen. 2:24)

B. Provide for his own - notice the full context. (1 Tim. 5:4-8).

C. Because of sin the work of providing will not be easy (Gen. 3:17-19), but should be honest. (Eph. 4:28).

Day 4 Responsibility to Children

A. Bring up in nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4; Deut. 6:6- 9; Prov. 22:6)

B. Correction should be because of love, following God's example. (Heb. 12:5-11; Prov. 13:24)

C. Not to provoke to anger and wrath. (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21).

Day 5 Responsibility to church (local congregation).

A. Provide example (Heb. 10:23-26; 1 Tim. 4:11-14; Tit. 2:1-7).

B. Develope into elders and deacons. (Tit. 1:5-11; 1 Tim. 3:1-13).


Week 6

Series Title: The Home

Lesson Title: The Wife/Mother In The Home


Memory Work: "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord." (Prov. 18:22)


Day 1 A Good wife is a Gift from God.

A. It is not good that a man be alone. Woman was the final creation. She satisfies the needs of the man. (Gen. 2:18-22; 1 Cor. 11:7-9).

B. A good wife is a gift from God. (Prov. 18:22; 19:14).

Day 2 A Wife is to submit to her Husband.

A. This was a law from the beginning. (Gen. 3:16)

B. Eve being deceived by Satan brought this law. (Gen. 3:1-6; 1 Tim. 2:11-15).

C. A wife's lack of submission to her husband is a most prevalent temptation, and brings frequent warnings from the apostles. (Col. 3:18; Eph. 5:22-23; 1 Pet. 3:1).

Day 3 A Wife In The Home

A. The wife is to guide the home. (1 Tim. 5:14; Tit. 2:5).

B. Foolish women destroy their home. (Prov. 14:1; 19:13).

C. Paul's description of a good wife is contained in the qualifications of church supported widows. (1 Tim. 5:9-16).

Day 4 A Woman's Conduct

A. Love her husband and children. (Tit. 2:4; 1 Cor. 7:2-5).

B. Teaching her children. (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15).

C. Discreet and gracious. (Prov. 11:16,22).

D. Be humble and faithful to God. (1 Pet. 3:3-6).

E. Be modest in dress: showing good works. (1 Tim. 2:9-10).

Day 5 God's Beautiful Description of the Model Wife. (Prov. 31:10-31)


Week 7

Series Title: The Home

Lesson Title: The Parents Responsibility To Children


Memory Work: "And you, fathers, do not provoke you children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."-Eph. 6:4


Day 1 Parents Are To Provide Spiritual Training For Their Children.

A. Children are to be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4). Lois and Eunice evidently taught Timothy. (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14, 15).

B. Young women are to be taught to love their husbands and children and to be keepers at home. (Tit. 2:3-5).

C. Children are to be trained in the way they should go. (Prov. 22:6).

1. Proper dress. (1 Tim. 2:9).

2. Sinfulness of drunkenness, drugs, etc. (Gal. 5:19-21).

Day 2 Parents Are To Provide Materially For Their Children.

A. Children did not ask to be born. They have been given to parents by God. (Psa. 127:3; Gen. 33:1-5; 48:9).

B. Parents are to provide for their children. (1 Tim. 5:8; 2 Cor. 12:14).

C. Some parents give children too much. They need to learn to work. (Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10).

Day 3 Parents Are To Provide Proper Discipline For Their Children.

A. Children are to obey parents (Eph. 6:1), which necessitates proper discipline by parents. (See Col. 3:20; Prov. 29:17).

B. Discipline may require the use of the rod. (Prov. 29:15; 13:24).

C. Can be too little (1 Sam. 3:11-14; 2:33; Prov. 29:15), or it can be too rigid and unjust. (Eph. 6:4; See Col. 3:21).

Day 4 Parents Are To set Proper Examples For Their Children.

A. All should exercise good influence. (Matt. 5:16; 1 Tim. 4:12; Phil. 2:15).

B. Children are greatly influenced by the parents' example. (2 Tim. 1:15; 1 Kings 22:42,42; 22:51,52).

Day 5 Some Rules For Successful Parental Responsibility

A. Honest self-appraisal. (2 Cor. 13:5).

B. First things first. (Matt. 6:33).

C. Remember "sowing and reaping". (Gal. 6:7,8).

D. Teach and apply God's Word. (Eph. 6:4).

E. Pray without ceasing. (1 Thess. 5:17).


Week 8

Series Title: The Home

Lesson Title: The Children's Responsibility to their Parents


Memory Work: "My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother" (Prov. 1:8).


Day 1 Children are to accept their Parent's Instruction.

A. Listen to parents, much of Proverbs is Solomon as a father instructing his son. (Prov. 1:8; 6:20-22; 13:1).

B. Ask parents who are faithful Christians concerning God's laws. (cf. Deut. 6:20-25).

Day 2 "Children Obey Your Parents"

A. This is one command that God has always required of children and young people. (Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20).

B. Jesus at the age of twelve gave us his example of obedience to his parents. (Luke 2:41-51).

C. The child must disobey parents in order to obey God, if their requirements conflict. Matt. 10:37; Eph. 6:1).

Day 3 "Honor thy Father and Mother"

A. This command, under both the laws of Moses and Christ carries with it the prospect of long life. (Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:2-3).

B. Children are to care for their aged parents as part of this command. (Matt. 15:3-6; 1 Tim. 5:3-5,8,16).



Day 4 Rebellious and Sinful Conduct is Condemned by God.

A. God does not tolerate rebellious children. (Deut. 21:18-21; 2 Kings 2:23-2; Rom. 1:28-31).

B. Under the law of Moses a child who cursed or struck his parents was put to death. (Lev. 20:9; Ex. 21:15,17).

Day 5 Prepare Early to Become a Christian.

A. Realize that faith comes from hearing God's word, and seek it from your parents and the Bible. (Rom. 10:17; Luke 11:9-10).

B. Timothy is a good example of a faithful Christian who learned from the scriptures from his mother. (2 Tim. 3:14-17).


Week 9

Series Title: The Home

Lesson Title: The Education of Children In the Home.


Memory Work: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Prov. 22:6).


Day 1 Parents Have A Responsibility to Teach Their Children.

A. Father and mother are both responsible. (Eph. 6:4; Titus 2:3-5; Prov. 22:6).

B. Example: Deut. 4:9,10; 1 Sam. 3:11-14).

Day 2 Teach Their Children About God.

A. God does exist and created the wonderful world in which we live. (Psa. 14:1; Gen. 1,2; Acts 17:24-30; Psa. 19:1; Rom.. 1:20; Psa. 104:1; Neh. 9:6)

B. God hates sin. (Gen. 6:5,6; Psa. 5:4-6; 1 Pet. 3:12).

1. It separates man from God. (Isa. 59:1,2; Luke 13:27; Rom. 8:7-9).

2. Man will be punished for his sin. (Col. 3:25; Jas. 1:14; Rom. 1:18).

C. God loves man and wants him to be saved from sin and its consequences. (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8-9; 1 Jn. 4:8-10; 2 Pet. 3:9).

Day 3 Teach Their Children About The Need Of Faithfully Serving God.

A. Remember God in youth. (Eccl. 12:1).

B. Become servants of righteousness. (Rom. 6:16-18).

C. The Lord requires servants to be faithful. (Luke 12:41-48).

D. Be conscious of the judgment. (Eccl. 11:9).

E. The unfaithful will be punished. (Luke 12:47-48).

Day 4 Teach Their Children to Have Respect For:

A. Parents. (Eph. 6:1-3; Rom. 1:30; Mal. 1:6).

B. Older People. (1 Tim. 5:1,2).

C. Law officials. (Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:17; Rom. 13:1-7).

D. Others, must get along if possible. (Rom. 12:18).

Day 5 Teach Their Children That Marriage Is Permanent, Thus There Are Many Things To Consider About The One They Want To Marry.

A. Marriage involves a total commitment for life (Rom. 7:2,3), only exception is adultery/fornication. (Matt. 5:32).

B. Some things to consider:

1. Is he or she a faithful Christian?

2. Great age difference?

3. What is his or her real character?

4. Is there genuine love?

5. Will he work? Does she want to be a homemaker?

6. Some causes of marriage problems: a. Money b. Religion c. Children (upset the status quo) d. Sexual relationship.




Week 10

Series Title: The Home

Lesson Title: Recreation and the Home


Memory Work: "And he said to them,"Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." (Mark 6:31).


Day 1 Defining and Identifying.

A. Term "recreation" not found in the Bible. Britannica World Language Dictionary defines as: Refreshment of body or mind but generally of both.

B. Some synonyms for recreation: Pleasure, enjoyment, refreshing, leisure, rest…(What are some others you might think of?)

C. Synonyms for recreation found in the Bible are: Pleasure, refreshing, rest, leisure (KJV). (Can you find your synonyms in the Bible?)

Day 2 Rest

A. Christ promised us rest. (Matt. 11:28-29).

B. Christ urged his disciples to rest a while. (Mark 6:31).

C. The rest the Christian is striving for is heaven. (Heb. 4:1-11; Ex. 31:17).

D. Our bodies need rest - but only a temporary benefit for this life. We shouldn't be lazy (slothful). (Rom. 12:11).

Day 3 Pleasure

A. Most of the time this is used in a derogatory manner. (Luke 8:14; Tit. 3:3; Prov. 21:17).

B. Sin is designated as pleasurable. (Heb. 11:25).

C. The reason pleasure is used in these terms is because it is associated with excessive desire. (Jas. 4:1-3) (lust here is the same Greek word as a. above)

Day 4 Refreshing

A. This term used by Paul many times in a spiritual sense. (1 Cor. 16:18; 2 Cor. 7:13; Phile. 20).

B. Christians can refresh one another. (Rom. 15:32). One of the benefits and purposes of our assembly together. (Heb. 10:19-27).

C. Bodily exercise is profitable for this life, but only a little as compared to godliness which profits for eternity. (1 Tim. 4:6-8).

Day 5 Guidelines for physical recreation for Christians.

A. Should not violate one's conscience. (Rom. 14:23).

B. Should not cause a brother to stumble (sin). (Rom. 14:13).

C. Should not place one in bad company. (1 Cor. 15:33). (Here is good reason for parents to put out extra effort to provide recreational opportunities in their homes for their children and their children's friends).

D. Should not cause one to be identified with the evil world. (Rom. 12:2, 1 Cor 6:17,18).

E. Should not conflict with one's duties as a Christian (Matt. 6:33).


Week 11

Series Title: The Home

Lesson Title: Dangers to the Home.


Memory Work: "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" (Matt. 6:25).


Day 1 Failure to Thank God or put His kingdom first.

A. Serve God and be not anxious for the things of this life. (Matt. 6:24-34).

B. We should be thankful and let the peace of God rule in our hearts. (Col. 3:15).

Day 2 Allowing forms of sin to become pleasure and entertainment in our homes.

A. We are to abstain from all forms and appearance of evil, and "set nothing wicked before (our) eyes" (1 Thess. 5:22; Psa. 101:3,4; 1 Cor. 6:9-10).

B. We should hate and not consent to sin (Amos 5:14-15); Jesus is our example (Heb. 1:9; Rom. 1:28-32).

Day 3 Selfishness within the family.

A. Husbands are to be as unselfish as was Christ. He is to serve the family as Christ served the church. (Eph. 5:23).

B. Each member of the family should submit himself to the others interests, as Christians do. (Eph. 5:21; Gal. 6:2; Phil. 2:4; 1 Cor. 12:25-26).

Day 4 Perilous Times

A. Perilous times shall come. (2 Tim. 3:1-17).

B. Time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine. (2 Tim. 4:1- 4).

Day 5 The influence of corrupt visitors and guests.

A. Avoid social activity with an unrepentant Christian. (2 John 9,10; Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15).

B. Avoid evil companionships. (1 Cor. 15:33).


Week 12

Series Title: The Home

Lesson Title: Our Eternal Home


Memory Work: "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Rom. 15:4).


Day 1 We are a Spiritual Family.

A. God is our Father in heaven. (2 Cor. 6:17-18; Matt. 5:16).

B. Jesus is our brother as well as our Savior. (Mark 3:31-35).

C. We are brothers and sisters in the household of God. (Gal. 6:10).

Day 2 Jesus taught that the Father promised an Eternal Home.

A. Jesus promised us a heavenly home if we believe in God. (Jn. 14:1-3).

B. Each soul's eternal home far exceeds the value of the whole earth. (Matt. 16:24-28).

C. Paul desired to leave this home and enjoy the promised one. (Phil. 1:21-24).

Day 3 The Christian's Hope - An Eternal Home with the Father

A. Our hope is to inherit eternal life and live with God in heaven. (Tit. 1:2; 2:13; 3:7).

B. Through study of the scriptures we receive this hope. (Rom. 15:4; 12:12; 8:24; Col. 1:5).

Day 4 We will receive a New Body to Enjoy in our Eternal Home.

A. We serve Jesus while in this body and look forward to serving him in our new bodies of the resurrection. (2 Cor. 5:1-10).

B. That body will be a different type body. (1 Cor. 15:35-58).

Day 5 The Apostle John's Description of Our Eternal Home. (Rev. 21:1-22:5).


Week 13

Series Title: The Home

Lesson Title: Review


Memory Work: "I urge you, brethren -- you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints" (1 Cor. 16:15)


Day 1 The Home

A. Define what the home means and its origin. Week 1, Day 1

B. What comprises the household of a Christian home? Week 1, Days 2,3

C. What are some dangers the home faces? Week 11

Day 2 Marriage

A. What is the origin of marriage? Week 2, Day 1

B. What condition can end a marriage? Week 3, Days 1,2,5

C. What are other restrictions on marriage? Week 4, Days 1,2,3,5

D. What is the purpose of marriage? Week 2, Days 2,5

Day 3 The Husband/Father

A. What is the place of the husband/father in the home? Week 5, Days 1,3

B. What is pictured by the husband in a Christ led home? Week 5, Day 1

C. What benefits can a faithful husband/father be to the church? Week 5, Day 5

Day 4 The Wife/Mother

A. Why was woman created? Week 1 Day 2, Week 6 Day 1, Week 2 Day 1

B. What is the wife's position in the home? Week 6 Days 2,3,4

C. What benefit is a faithful wife to the church? Week 5 Day 5, Week 6 Day 3

Day 5 The Children

A. What are the children's position in the home? Week 8, Days 2,3

B. Who sets the standard or guidelines for the children? Week 7 Days 1,3,4; Week 9 Day 1

C. Of what benefit are faithful children to the church? Week 5 Day 5; Week 8 Days 3,5