|Session 6 Summary by Lynda Keren|
The only way we can grow and glow is by remaining in God (John:15: 4 “Remain in me and I will remain in you”). This final sermon was based on Genesis 18, from the life of Abraham.
1. Importance of Family: Mission starts at home and glowing begins at home. In the final session, we learned the importance of family and how glowing begins at home. That was God’s call to Abraham. In Genesis:18:19, we read, “For I have chosen him that he will direct his children and his household to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just”. Our primary calling is to direct our families in the ways of God. We are called to teach and direct our children in doing what is right and just.
Our homes should become places where people come seeking to speak and know what is right and just. We should not be involving in ministry at the expense of family. In our homes, we should focus on character more than competence. We were challenged to celebrate growth in character in our families. Parenting must be intentional; we need to be intentional in teaching and directing our children in the ways of God.
We are also called to carefully nurture our marriage and not to take it lightly. God’s standards remain the same. God does not relax His boundaries on Holiness. And the church cannot reduce God’s standards according to our convenience or preferences.
2. Importance of Intercession: Intercession is an important of part of glowing. We cannot do missions without prayer. In Gen 18:20, “..the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah was great”. The outcry was from outside Sodom and Gomorrah, not from within. When we see evil, we need to cry out to God. We must learn to intercede for the lost. It is also important to pray as a family.
3. Importance of Community: Abraham pleaded with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah. But the two cities were destroyed because God couldn’t find even ten righteous people there. We need to be part of communities of righteousness. If not, we need to plant and build one. We must not be lost in the choices and behaviors of those around us but we must be careful that we will be a community of righteous people in the sight of God.
Remembering with gratitude the ministry of Uncle C.B. Samuel during the Church Camp.