The Calico Rock Progress

Sunday School Lesson
(By REV. P. B. FITZWATER. D.D., Member of Faculty, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.)
(©, 1929. Western Newspaper Union.)
Lesson for December 1
THE CHRISTIAN HOME IN A MODERN WORLD
LESSON TEXT—Deut. 6:3-9; Matt. 19:3-9; Luke 2:40-52; 24:28-32; Eph. 6:1-9; II Tim. 1:3-5; II Tim. 3:14, 15; Luke 2:40-52.
GOLDEN TEXT—HONOR thy father and thy mother.
PRIMARY TOPIC—Pleasing God in Our Home.
JUNIOR TOPIC—Pleasing God in Our Home.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC—Living as Christians at Home.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC—The Christian Home: Its Helps and Hindrances.
Instead of an exposition of the printed text, as suggested by the lesson committee, it will be better to make a synthetic study of the salient points of the several reference texts proposed by the committee.
I. The Makers of the Home (Matt. 19:3-9).
The home is a divine institution. Its makers are the man and the woman joined together in holy wedlock, according to God's primary law—one man for one woman and one woman for one man.
1. The union is so vital that God declared the man and the woman to be one flesh (Gen. 2:24)
2. Divorce was not in God's thought for man (v. 6). It was only permitted because of sin (v. 8). Divorce has the disapproval of God and right thinking men and women.
3. Fornication the one and only ground for divorce (v. 9). Laxness of the divorce laws causes the Christian to hang his head in shame.
II. The Ideal Child (Luke 2:40-52).
Marriage has as its primary purpose the propagation of the race. Children are to be desired and expected. Christ stands as the ideal child in the home.
1. His central interest (v. 49) "My father's business." Being conscious of His Mission He entered the temple to inquire into the meaning of the ordinances of God's house.
2. His obedience (v. 51). Though fully conscious of His divine being and mission, He went down to Nazareth and lived a life of filial obedience.
3. His development (v. 52).
(1) Bodily—“Increased in stature.” His body became strong. A strong healthy body is the inalienable right of every child, and parents are obligated to provide food and raiment such as to preserve their health
(2) Mental—“Increased in wisdom.” As a normal human being, his mental powers developed.
(3) Spiritual—“The grace of God was upon him,” and He increased in favor with God and man. How beautiful is the picture of the symmetrical development of the Savior of men.
III. The Place of God's Word in the Home (Deut. 6:3-9),
The home has a vital teaching function. The child develops slowly; remains in the home for a long time to give an opportunity to be taught the things of God.
1. The central truth to be taught (vv. 4, 5). This is twofold. The unity of God (v. 4) and man's supreme obligation to God (v. 5).
2. How the truth was to be kept alive (vv. 6-9).
(1) It was to be diligently taught to the children (v. 7).
(2) It was to be talked of everywhere and under all circumstances
(3) It was to be bound upon the hand and placed as frontlets between the eyes (v. 8).
(4) It was to be written upon the posts of the houses (v. 9).
IV. The Early Training of the Child (II Tim. 1:3-5; 3:14, 15).
Timothy was taught the Scriptures from his childhood by a godly mother and grandmother. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God in the salvation of children as well as adults.
V. Christ a Guest in the Home (Luke 24:28-32).
At the urgent invitation of certain disciples, Christ tarried in their home and sat at meat with them. Christ will come into the home and bless those who sincerely invite Him,
VI. Mutual Relation of the Members of the Home (Eph. 6:1-9).
Each member has certain rights and privileges which must be respected. Children are to obey and honor their parents. Parents are not to provoke their children to wrath, but to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Servants are to be obedient to their masters and to render service as unto the Lord. Masters are to show consideration to their servants, since they themselves are servants to the heavenly Master.
Faith
When we are confronted by misery which needs relief, suffering which requires sympathy, folly which should be reproved, ignorance waiting for counsel, sin pleading forgiveness, the true prayer is, "Lord, increase our faith." Nothing is impossible to faith.
A Daily Thought
I say to you truly, the heart of him who loves is a paradise on earth; he has God in himself, for God is love.
Lamennais.