Nurturing Faith Through Family Devotions and Grace
Summary
In our journey of faith, family devotions play a crucial role in nurturing a spiritual atmosphere at home. It's about creating a natural environment where discussions about scripture, prayer, and spiritual matters are as common as any other family conversation. This practice helps instill a desire for spiritual growth in children, encouraging them to think spiritually and seek God in their daily lives. It's not about forcing spirituality but making it a natural part of family life.
When addressing questions of faith, especially from those struggling, like college students questioning God's visibility, it's essential to guide them back to the scriptures. God reveals Himself primarily through His Word, and understanding His character and purposes comes from engaging with the Bible. Developing a biblical worldview helps believers know God more intimately and strengthens their faith.
Balancing godly sorrow over sin with the grace of God is another critical aspect of our spiritual journey. It's vital to preach the gospel to ourselves daily, reminding ourselves of our justification by faith alone. This understanding prevents us from falling into legalism, where we might feel the need to prove our repentance to earn God's favor. Instead, we should focus on the grace that accompanies true faith, which is always accompanied by works.
Understanding our identity in Christ is foundational. Being "in Christ" means having a saving relationship with Him, where His grace and resources become ours. This union with Christ transforms our lives, making His life and grace available to us. It's a profound truth that shapes our identity and how we live our lives.
Finally, the struggle with sin, as described in Romans 7, is a reality for believers. It's a tension between the now and the not yet, where we are saved but still wrestle with sin. This struggle is part of our sanctification process, and understanding it helps us rely on God's grace and the Holy Spirit's work in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Family devotions are vital for creating a spiritual atmosphere at home. They help children naturally engage with spiritual matters, fostering a desire for spiritual growth. It's about making discussions about scripture and prayer a regular part of family life, not a forced activity. [07:10]
- When facing doubts about God's visibility, turning to scripture is crucial. The Bible reveals God's character and purposes, helping believers develop a biblical worldview. This engagement with God's Word strengthens faith and provides a deeper understanding of who God is. [09:49]
- Balancing godly sorrow over sin with God's grace involves daily preaching the gospel to ourselves. Understanding our justification by faith alone prevents legalism and helps us embrace the grace that accompanies true faith. This balance is essential for spiritual growth. [12:08]
- Being "in Christ" means having a saving relationship with Him, where His grace and resources become ours. This union transforms our lives, making His life and grace available to us. It's a profound truth that shapes our identity and how we live. [14:12]
- The struggle with sin, as described in Romans 7, is a reality for believers. It's a tension between being saved and still wrestling with sin. Understanding this struggle helps us rely on God's grace and the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. [19:39]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:51] - Importance of Family Devotions
- [08:23] - Guiding College Students in Faith
- [10:10] - Balancing Godly Sorrow and Grace
- [12:34] - Understanding Union with Christ
- [15:10] - Paul's Encounter and Identity in Christ
- [16:49] - Romans 7 and the Believer's Struggle
- [21:03] - Assurance of Salvation
- [25:05] - Evidence of True Faith
- [29:07] - Denying Self and Following Christ
- [31:37] - Unconverted in Church
- [34:10] - Preaching the Cross
- [38:04] - Understanding Total Depravity
- [40:04] - Leaving a Church
- [41:16] - Advice for New Pastors
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 7:14-25
2. Ephesians 1:3-14
3. Luke 9:23-24
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Observation Questions:
1. How did the pastor describe the role of family devotions in nurturing a spiritual atmosphere at home? What specific practices did he mention? [06:41]
2. What advice was given to college students struggling with their faith, particularly regarding God's visibility? [09:01]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of being "in Christ," and what biblical references support this idea? [13:24]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the struggle with sin as described in Romans 7? [17:35]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the practice of family devotions contribute to the spiritual growth of children, and why is it important to make these discussions a natural part of family life? [07:10]
2. In what ways does turning to scripture help believers develop a biblical worldview and strengthen their faith, especially when facing doubts? [09:49]
3. How can believers balance godly sorrow over sin with embracing God's grace, and why is this balance crucial for spiritual growth? [12:08]
4. What does it mean to have a saving relationship with Christ, and how does this union transform a believer's life? [14:12]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your family's spiritual practices. How can you incorporate more natural discussions about scripture and prayer into your daily routine? What challenges might you face, and how can you overcome them? [07:10]
2. When you face doubts about your faith, what steps can you take to seek answers through scripture? How can you encourage others, like college students, to do the same? [09:49]
3. Consider a time when you felt overwhelmed by guilt or sorrow over sin. How can you remind yourself of God's grace and your justification by faith alone in those moments? [12:08]
4. How does understanding your identity "in Christ" impact your daily life and decisions? What specific changes can you make to live more fully in this truth? [14:12]
5. Reflect on your personal struggle with sin. How can you rely more on God's grace and the Holy Spirit's work in your life to overcome these challenges? [19:39]
6. Think about a recent situation where you had to deny yourself to follow Christ. How did it feel, and what did you learn from the experience? How can you apply this lesson in future situations? [29:07]
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel spiritually stagnant. What practical steps can you take to grow in that area, and how can your small group support you in this journey? [26:49]
Devotional
Day 1: Cultivating a Spiritual Atmosphere at Home
Family devotions are essential in creating a spiritual atmosphere within the home. They provide a natural setting for discussions about scripture, prayer, and spiritual matters, making these conversations as common as any other family topic. This practice helps instill a desire for spiritual growth in children, encouraging them to think spiritually and seek God in their daily lives. It's not about forcing spirituality but integrating it naturally into family life, allowing children to engage with spiritual matters in a way that fosters genuine interest and growth. [07:10]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: How can you incorporate a discussion about scripture or prayer into your family's routine today, making it a natural part of your conversations?
Day 2: Finding God in Scripture
When facing doubts about God's visibility, especially in times of struggle, turning to scripture is crucial. The Bible reveals God's character and purposes, helping believers develop a biblical worldview. Engaging with God's Word strengthens faith and provides a deeper understanding of who God is. This practice is particularly important for those, like college students, who may be questioning their faith. By guiding them back to the scriptures, they can find clarity and reassurance in God's revealed truth. [09:49]
Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Reflection: Is there a specific doubt or question you have about God? How can you seek answers through scripture today?
Day 3: Embracing Grace and Rejecting Legalism
Balancing godly sorrow over sin with the grace of God involves daily preaching the gospel to oneself. Understanding our justification by faith alone prevents us from falling into legalism, where we might feel the need to prove our repentance to earn God's favor. Instead, we should focus on the grace that accompanies true faith, which is always accompanied by works. This balance is essential for spiritual growth, allowing believers to embrace God's grace while acknowledging their need for repentance. [12:08]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: In what ways have you been trying to earn God's favor through your actions? How can you remind yourself of His grace today?
Day 4: Understanding Our Identity in Christ
Being "in Christ" means having a saving relationship with Him, where His grace and resources become ours. This union with Christ transforms our lives, making His life and grace available to us. It's a profound truth that shapes our identity and how we live our lives. Understanding this identity helps believers to live out their faith with confidence, knowing that they are supported by Christ's strength and grace. [14:12]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: How does knowing your identity in Christ change the way you approach challenges in your life today?
Day 5: The Believer's Struggle with Sin
The struggle with sin, as described in Romans 7, is a reality for believers. It's a tension between the now and the not yet, where we are saved but still wrestle with sin. This struggle is part of our sanctification process, and understanding it helps us rely on God's grace and the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. Recognizing this ongoing battle encourages believers to seek God's strength and guidance as they strive to live according to His will. [19:39]
Romans 7:18-19 (ESV): "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing."
Reflection: What is one area of sin you find yourself struggling with repeatedly? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you overcome it today?
Quotes
Family devotions are an essential feature of raising a family. I know that's complicated and difficult with school and after school, and so on. We raised our children in Britain, and our children were not sent to post-school activities like every day of the week. So, at least six of the seven days of the week, we sat around a table and ate dinner together. [00:05:37]
We would eat, we would talk, we would ask the children about their day. I would read some portion of scripture, ask for prayer requests, and different stages in their growth and development from little children to teenagers, you know, and awkward moments and stuff. You know, we took turns to pray, and I usually closed. [00:06:22]
It's creating an atmosphere in your family where talking about Christian things, talking about scripture, talking about prayer requests is natural and not forced. So there was constant communication about, you know, if there was a problem, just well, let's pray about it, and encouraging the children to think in terms of a spiritual mindedness. [00:07:44]
I would encourage that college student to turn toward the scriptures. The reading of God's word, study of God's word shows us that God is a speaking God who primarily is not revealing himself through visual arts. He's a speaking God, and his word is true. The character and the nature and purposes of God are found in the word of God. [00:08:51]
I think it's very important to preach the gospel to yourself every day to remind yourself every day, every morning, nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling. That there's absolutely nothing that I can do to improve my status of justification, that I'm justified by faith alone in Christ alone. [00:10:25]
We are saved by grace alone through faith alone, but that faith is never alone. It is always accompanied by works, and therefore that godly sorrow for sin can never be such as to undermine the very nature of our acceptance with God, of our justification. [00:11:46]
To be in Christ, first of all, means that we have a relationship with Christ, a saving relationship with Christ, and are brought into union and communion with him in such a way that as we are in Christ, what is true of Christ becomes true of us, that his grace and his resources become our experience in possession. [00:12:55]
The life of Christ is now in us by virtue of our being in Christ, and the fact of the matter is, and Christ is in us. So it's a double union, if you will. My entire life is now lived for Christ, but the life that I live is lived by virtue of being in Christ and his grace, his sufficiency. [00:13:48]
I take the classic Augustinian Calvinist interpretation that this is the second half of Romans seven is a description of a believer caught in the tension between the now and the not yet, wrestling daily with the fact that we are Christians but we continue to sin. The good that I would, I do not. [00:16:55]
The fact is that that language coincides remarkably closely to my experience of what it is to wrestle with sin every day, and I can't imagine different language that would better describe that. You know, I would add to that just, you know, context is an important key in interpretation. [00:18:46]
The issue is right now, this moment, are you saved or are you not saved? That's the issue. I think there are some people who cannot pinpoint exactly when they were converted. For one reason, they were sitting under such shallow preaching they weren't receiving enough of the truth to actually have a strong sense of evaluating their own experience. [00:21:00]
True saving faith is you come to the end of yourself, and that Christ begins, and you are under the authority of Christ, and you are now stepping out of the world and stepping out of the slave market of sin, and you are now following Christ by putting one foot in front of another. [00:30:11]
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