The Family

Lesson 2
Memory Text: Proverbs 1:8

SABBATH: Christian education, like charity begins at home. It is the right of every daughter of Eve & every son of Adam to have an in-depth knowledge of God. Thus, God ordained that “from babyhood children should be taught of His goodness & His greatness” even in ancient Israel (DA, p. 69). Life itself is a school. The lesson informs us about biblical principles on family education across all situations.

SUNDAY: The system of education at the onset of the world has its roots in the family. The first family received instructions from the lips of God (Luke 3:38, Ed, p. 33, 20). Before the fall, angels & the Father taught the holy pair the wonders of creation, & after the fall; the plan of redemption. This model Eden school is to continue in all homes (Gen. 1, 2, 3:1-15, 4:1-4, 2 Cor. 4:6, Luke 10:27, Gal. 3:11, Rev. 22:12).

MONDAY: The Bible is silent on the childhood of Jesus to some extent. Yet, the life of His earthly parents (Joseph & Mary) informs us about the education He received as a child (Luke 1:26-38; 46-55; Matt. 1:18-24). The Jewish couple had communion with God & were ready to obey Him. Mary was Jesus’ first human teacher & from the scrolls of the prophets He learnt about heaven (DA, p. 70; Luke 2:41-50).

TUESDAY: In the School of Eden, God through communication built a relationship with Adam & Eve (His students) before instructing them (Ed, p. 212). A true teacher first offer the gift of companionship before teachings. He/she works on the student at both the emotional & physical level. Prayer & bible studies draw us to God (Ps. 37:7-9; Prov. 10:31, 32; 27:17; Eph. 4:15; 1 John 3:18; Titus 3:1, 2; James 4:11).

WEDNESDAY: Parents are the first point of contact for a baby to know the world (Eph. 6:4; Prov. 31:10). Also, the “family is the nursery of church, school, & society”. In the family, the father is the head & the mother shapes a child’s character. It is the duty of the parent to instill the “fruit of the Spirit” in a child (Gal. 5:22, 23; Eph. 5:22, 23, 25, 26; 1 Cor. 11:3; 2 Cor. 6:14; Rom. 13:13, 14; 2 Pet. 1:5-7; Phil. 4:8).

THURSDAY: Last words & wishes are of immense value to a departing soul. Moses’ last will & testament is the book of Deuteronomy which he bids Israel not to forget God before they entered Canaan (Deut. 6). They were to tell their children the story of the Exodus & God’s great love (Ed, p. 25). Parents are not to rob their children true fundamental Christian education (Deut. 6:7). Their lessons have a great impact.

FRIDAY: Parents have the weighty task of training a child earlier as well as in later life. Before reciting the marriage vow, the father & mother must be acquainted with the laws of physical & mental development, as well as moral training. The couple should work in unison to train their ward in a godly manner. By leaning on God, the weighty task becomes simple. The school teacher shares in that duty.

—Ellen G. White, “Preparation,” pp. 275-282; Cooperation,” pp. 283-286; and “Discipline,” pp. 287-297, in Education.

Keywords

DA- Desire of Ages

Ed- Education

Captions

SUNDAY- The First Family
MONDAY- The Childhood Of Jesus
TUESDAY- Communication
WEDNESDAY- The Role Of Parents
THURSDAY- “lest Ye Forget”

Discussion Questions

📌 Whether we have children or not, we all exist in some sort of domicile, and we all interact with others, as well. What have you learned from this week’s lesson that can help you in interacting with, or even witnessing to, others, whether in the place where you live or elsewhere?

📌 We tend to view education as a good thing. (After all, who can be against education?) But is this always the case? What might be examples of education’s having been perverted and turned into something bad? What can we learn from those negative examples that could help us make education a good thing?

📌 As stated in Wednesday’s study, we all have been given the sacred gift of free will. Sooner or later, when children become young adults or even adults, they will have to make their own decisions regarding the God whom they had been taught about all their young lives. Why must all parents—and anyone, really—who seek to witness to others and to teach others the gospel, always keep in mind this crucial truth about free will?

For October 3-9. Happy Sabbath.

—Michael Adarkwah Agyemang

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