Key Verses:
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, Colossians 1:13
15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Aim of This Study
Once we understand the reality of the Kingdom of God being entered as we accept Jesus as Lord and King of our lives and are baptised, we then live and operate as a family totally differently to the world. We are now living differently to the world with a different purpose, way of thinking and this clashes with what people living in the world under the power of darkness understand. It is essential that we do as Joshua did and make a clear conscious decision to reject the gods of this world and the things that once held us captive and seek God in establishing our families in this new kingdom.
Key Questions
o What does it mean to live in the Kingdom and what are the plans of Satan on our families and children?
o Why do we have a family and how can we live purposefully?
o Why should we use our time wisely?
o What is a Kingdom of God lifestyle.
o How important is establishing strong character in our children?
o How can we equip our family to walk in the Spirit daily and be equipped with the spiritual armour?
o Why should be minister together as a family?
1. Brief overview of what is the kingdom of God.
What does it mean to live in the Kingdom and what are the plans of Satan on our families and children?
Jesus came to establish a new kingdom that is only understood when we are baptised. When we are born again by the water and spirit we are then moved or conveyed into a new kingdom. After our water and spiritual baptism and begin life as a new citizen of a spiritual kingdom, and move from the old kingdom of the world. We should be no longer under the rulership of the kingdom of darkness and as a result there is tension with the old kingdom as our allegiances and priorities have all changed. We learn to die to flesh and live and walk in the Spirit. The reality of the Kingdom of God means we have to choose to live under the full sovereignty of God where there is freedom, joy and the provision and protection of God. Living in this kingdom benefits us now, but knowing that Jesus is returning in the future to fully establish His kingdom on this earth is an exciting reality that we live and plan for, knowing this is where we receive our reward for our faithfulness here on earth now.
Our task now is to both tell people about the Kingdom of God, live in this new kingdom as kingdom citizens, fully walking in the Spirit under the ruling hand of Jesus. This means we are sons in the authority and purpose given to us by Jesus. As a result we are called to live a radically different life when we understand the reality of what Jesus taught, what his death on the cross means to us and learn to view all things through Kingdom eyes. Our prayer daily is to die to our flesh, walk in the spirit and live our lives as sons of the Kingdom of the son of His love.
2. Understand the ‘why’ of having a family and living purposeful
It is essential your family understands and is intentional about discipleship. This will totally change how your family operates. Be constantly challenged that what you do in fully line with the scriptures and be intentional in living in the Kingdom of God.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light;1 Peter 2:9
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
a) Know that God is calling us to make disciples, starting in our homes.
We move from the world's idea of just raising children and allowing the world to raise them.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, Matthew 28:18a
b) Know what your end goal is.
Understand Jeremiah 17 where it talks about being trees of righteousness, Ephesians 2:10 where we read they are created for 'good works' and also they are arrows in our quiver that God wants to release from us and hit the target He has for them and transform God's world.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear[b] when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3b
c) Teaching them the Word and not only knowing the Word but doing it. (Observe) We do this because we love Jesus. As we do what He has said Jesus has promised to manifest himself to us.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Luke 6:46
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:21
Manifest: 1718 Strongs 'epmphanizo (em-fan-id-zo) from #1717 (To show openly)
1. Physical manifestation
2. Metaphorically of the manifestation of Christ by the holy Spirit in the spiritual experience of believers who abide in His love.
3. To make know, signify, inform.
If we do what Jesus says He can speak to us, make himself know and show us what we need to know.
d) Our lives are a model to our children.
As adults we are to be growing and our lives and relationship with Jesus is what we want our children or disciples to be like.
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40
e) A goal is to train our children to learn to develop Apostolic Companies.
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long suffering, love, perseverance,2 Timothy 3:10
f) In your home we need to love, honour and have reverence for Jesus.
If we call Jesus Lord, we must have honour and reverence for Jesus. Honour means to give high respect, great esteem, credit, importance. If we hold Jesus in high respect we need to respect, admire and look up to Jesus. It also means we need to treasure and prize Jesus. This will come out in all that we say and do. If we believe Jesus is Lord we are very intentional in doing what He says. In Malachi 1: 6, we read:
“A son honors his father,
And a servant his master.
If then I am the Father,
Where is My honor?
And if I am a Master,
Where is My reverence?
Says the Lord of hosts
g) Understanding how to be a disciple. Key Words for Discipleship
Commitment - To Jesus and the call
Submission - To the Holy Spirit - Receive the one He sends. Be easily taught and corrected.
Accountability - Repentance, be open to be corrected.
Sent - being sent out with Apostolic Authority!
3. Use our time wisely and do not waste any opportunity to disciple our children.
The world is full of 'entertainment' and things that waste our time. Ensure that we use our time on things that are eternal. Ensuring the time we have is used purposefully and not wasted. Being accountable for our use of time.
Ephesians 5:16 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
4. Develop a Kingdom of God lifestyle.
Daily teach the Word, have fellowship, communion and pray together. When we focus on 'life' and not on the kingdom of God we get into trouble as we then live in the kingdom of this world. Establish a Kingdom lifestyle.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42
5. Establishing strong character in our children is essential.
We Grow up in Christ as we need to understand that it is not the easy and 'good' times that cause us to grow but the tough times known as tribulation. In Romans 5 and James 1 we read that we need to be joyful when these tough times because it is through these develop the character traits that make us strong and effective as disciples. In 2 Corinthians we learn that are able to minister to others through the grace God gives us through hard times.
5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
6. Equipping our family to walk in the Spirit daily and be equipped with the spiritual armour.
As our goal is to be living as a family in the Kingdom of God and not of the world, we need to learn together and seek God on how He is calling us to live in the Spirit. As we seek to live in the Spirit, God can transform our family as the fruits of this become evident both individually and as a family.
5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,[a]and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[c]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,[d] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5: 16-26
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:1-5
Understand that we are not fighting against flesh and blood but principalities and power. To learn how to live and fight against these, and be fully dressed in the spiritual armour that God give us to 'stand' in. To be able to deal with any issue in the Spirit.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Ephesians 4:10 - 18
7. Learn to Minister together as a family.
God wants us to work together as a family to minister to others. Teach them to ask questions and to grow together. Be both inward focused as we learn to be like Christ, but then be outward focused as we take on the heart of Jesus and reach out to others together to build up and bless the Body of Christ. Not only teaching them to minister with menial tasks and serve others, but challenge and teach them in ministering to others, praying for others and speaking what God is revealing to them. They need to have jobs to do that allow them to be part of the ministry of your family. The world teaches children it is all about them. Train them to think differently. Teach them to be able to speak and teach the Word of God.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6.
Conclusion
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, Colossians 1:13
15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
As Jesus has delivered us from the kingdom or power of darkness we need to learn to live more and more in this reality. By seeking His Kingdom and righteousness in our family God we will not only bless our family but will raise a new generation who are trained and able to live purposefully and are equipped to make an incredible impact on this world. We can become a people who live in the Spirit as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and His own special people. Living as a set apart people will require us to reject the gods of this world and anything that is not of this spiritual kingdom and move to fully operate in this new kingdom. Our family needs to be using time wisely as the days are short. Pray for God to convey your family fully from the powers of darkness and fully into the Kingdom of the Son of His love, Jesus.
Living in this spiritual kingdom is totally different to living in the world. It is important the use our minds to challenge everything we do, so it is walking fully under the kingship of Jesus.