God's Gifts
Prepare for Launch
get ready with these Helpful Resources
Matt. 15:4; Rom. 8:12-17; Ps. 127-128
“Grandma Nine-Pies”
Grandmas tend to go a bit overboard around the holidays. My wife's Grandma Dean was a prolific baker, always bringing some of the tastiest desserts to our family gatherings. But you had to be very careful when asking her to bring a dish. One time we assigned her the task of bringing a pumpkin pie to Thanksgiving, so instead of one pie, she brought nine! Of course, from then on, she was jokingly known as Grandma Nine-Pies.
There's almost nothing we wouldn't do for our families — going above and beyond to express our love. So as we continue to consider God's amazing gifts, let's stop to feel the fulfillment of a fruitful family.
Family bonds can give us love and acceptance that reflects our Heavenly Father's.
THE BIG IDEA
Our earthly family prepares us to understand the love we have from our Maker. Since, as Paul said when you're "... led by the Spirit of God" you "are sons of God" and"have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Rom. 8:14-15). What intimacy and depth we experience both at home and with God!
A fruitful family comes as a gift from our Father. He blesses us with richness and fulfillment in our homes, as the psalmist sang, "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table" (Ps. 128:3). It takes a lot of work and cultivation on our part. Still, when the home works well, it shines a light on God's perfect plan for our well-being.
But our families aren't always perfect — maybe it rarely feels like a "home sweet home" — but don't forget that God's design for the bond we share extends to our "brothers" and "sisters" in the church. As we follow our Lord together, we richly bless each other in unity as if we were blood relatives.
What could you do to bring your family closer in God's love?
THE BIG QUESTION
Family
Feel the Fulfillment of a Fruitful Family
INTRODUCTION
Launch the study with a CONVERSATION STARTER on the Big Idea.
Read or watch “Grandma Nine-Pies” (above). What do you take from that Big Idea and Big Question? ICE BREAKER — Get everyone engaged and talking.
Who always lightens the mood in your family?
ACT I
LIKE THE TEACHER — Matthew 15:3-6
What’s the main point of this passage?What insights and applications do you take from these words of Christ? What do we need to get from these words that — if understood and applied — has the power to bless and strengthen us?Is there anything else here you find helpful or interesting? Anything you’ve never noticed before — or have always loved about these words?
ACT II
Flyin’ Through the Book — Ruth
Sometimes it’s helpful to journey through a Bible book briskly enough to see the big picture the story presents. If you’re studying with a group, ask each participant to prepare some notes using the guide below. Then take turns summarizing the chapters and your insights. We don’t know who wrote Ruth, but it’s obviously meant for a Jewish audience to understand the backstory of one of the greatest figures of all time — David, whose genealogy concludes the story, as God brings a Gentile into Christ’s line. It shows how prayers and righteous acts by three individuals propel the story forward and set the stage for a king after God’s heart and ultimately, the savior of the world. Ruth Chapter 1
Main point:High-level outline:Key verse:Key word:Main insight:
Ruth Chapter 2
Main point:High-level outline:Key verse:Key word:Main insight:
Ruth Chapter 3
Main point:High-level outline:Key verse:Key word:Main insight:
Ruth Chapter 4
Main point:High-level outline:Key verse:Key word:Main insight:
Final Thoughts
What is your biggest takeaway from the book?
What does the book have to say about family?ACT III
REACH OUT — Connect with each other with this question.
How have you seen your role in your family change over the years?
WRAP UP
THE CHALLENGE — Ready to put it into practice?
Share with a family member how they've blessed your life.
REQUEST — Go to God in a closing prayer.
For example: “Holy Father, teach us how to honor you as we’ve learned to honor our earthly fathers.” (cf. Heb. 12:7-11).NEXT SESSION — Friendship
Prepare by reading John 15:13-15; Prov. 27:5-17; 1 Sam. 18:1-4