Lesson 10, June 1-7
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Matthew 7:5; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:4-8; Ephesians 4:26, 27; James 1:19, 20; Colossians 3:19; Matthew 7:12.
Memory Text: “Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26, NKJV).
Even the best of homes will face times of struggle, times of conflict. It’s just one of the facts of life in a fallen world. Simple things, such as whose turn it is to take out the trash, or whether your teenage daughter finished her homework, or your son has done his chores, are bothersome but relatively minor issues that can, generally, be resolved with minimal disruption. But other issues can threaten to disrupt family life. The mother-in-law whose abuse and manipulation threatens to destroy a woman’s marriage and her health; the father with mental illness who abuses his children; the son who abandons all his religious upbringing to give himself to a promiscuous lifestyle; or the daughter who becomes a substance abuser.
Repeatedly in the New Testament we are told to love one another (John 13:34, Romans 12:10), to live in peace and harmony with one another (Romans 15:5, Hebrews 12:14), to be patient, kind, and tenderhearted toward one another (1 Corinthians 13:4), to consider others before ourselves (Philippians 2:3), and to bear one another’s burdens (Ephesians 4:2). Of course, all this is easier said than done, even with our own family members. In this lesson, we will look at some ways to help mollify little times of trouble, especially in the family.
