SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, FEBRUARY 28, TOPIC - Improving Intergenerational Relationships

 TOPIC - Improving Intergenerational Relationships

 Memory verse Romans 12:10

 Be kindly affection one to another with brotherly love in honour preferring one another (KJV)

TEXT LUKE 2 V40 -52,EX 20 V 12,EPH 6V1-3,COL 3V20-21

Central truth

 Respective and care for one another are vital in family relationship

 

 The lesson outline

 1.      Strengthen family ties

 A.     Lasting relationships begins early

 B.     Letting children grow up

 2.      Teach mutual respect

 A.     Responsible children

 B.     Understanding parents

 3.      Care for senior adults

 A.     Do not forget older family members

 B.     Provide for the elderly

 

 Teaching goals

 

1.      Impart and reinforce knowledge: impress upon student the kinds of attitudes and actions required for healthy intergenerational relationship.

2.      Influence attitudes: inspire your student to how good commitment inflating well in maintaining strong family among members.

3.      Influence behavior: challenge student to realize that part of the intergenerational relationship structure is for each other.

 Introducing the Lesson

 

Perhaps your know of families where parents and children are constantly bickering. Instead of solving their problems, they are allowing these problems to destroy their relationship with each other. They may mo longer even speak to each other. How tragic that these families


spend  their  lives  with  resentments,  grudges,  bitterness,  and  other

 

feelings that rob them of some of lifes greatest pleasures.

 

Often the problems begin with small, perhaps insignificant, incidents, rather than working through problems, family members allow them to escalate and grow out of proportion.

This   week’s   lesson   is   designed   t help   keep   families   from experiencing such tragic incidents. The scriptural guidelines presented will help produce intergenerational harmony in the home.

 1.      Strengthen family ties

 A. lasting Relationships Begin early

A good relationship between parent and child is one of the most important relationships that we have if this relationship is not properly developed; it can have a long-lasting negative effect on the entire family. While  the  scripture  do  not  give  us  a  lot  of  detail concerning Jesus

childhood and his relationship with marry and Joseph, what we do have is significant. Luke 2:40-51 relates an incident from the boyhood      of Jesus.

Joseph and Mary were accustomed to making the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem to observe the Passover. Jesus was 12 years of age when this event took place (verses 41-42) Jesus attendance at this particular celebration was probably to prepare to him for a particular ceremony in the coming year. In this ceremony, he would observe the Jewish right-of- passage that would permit him to become a responsible member of the religious community.

At the end of the Passover, the families generally travelled with the women and smaller children in one group and the men and older boys in another. Jesus could have been with either Mary or Joseph. At nightfall,


as  the  families  rejoined  for  their  evening  meals  and  sleep,  things become quite unsettled. Mary and Joseph supposing that Jesus had been with the other parent, discovered that Jesus was not with the group.

Joseph and Mary returned to Jerusalem to look for Jesus. On the third day they found Jesus in the temple area asking question of the doctors of the law (verses 45, 46).they were astonished when they saw Jesus ‘understand of the law.

When Joseph and Mary found Jesus, Mary began to scold him notice her reaction as recorded in verse 48,   son why hast thou thus dealt with us? ‘She was venting her frustrations and fears.

While Mary’s reaction is typical, it is a respond that can hinder the development of a good relationship Mary, without hearing the whole story, blamed her son for the discomfort they experienced.

 Question for application

 Why is it important for parents to listen to their children?How often do we as parents react the same way as Mary? An important key to developing good intergenerational relationships is establishing and keeping the lines of communication open. As parents we must be open to hear and understand both sides of problems.

One of the best things we can do for our children is to learn to really listen to them before we blindly pass listen, we can understand their feelings. Listening to their reasoning may mean that we will have to readjust our evaluation also. While we might not always agree with our children or them with us we must keep the door of communication open.

 B. Letting children grow up

Most  parents  enjoseeing  their  children  mature.  This  maturing process brings about more than physical changes though. Maturing also brings with it a move toward independence on the part of the child. This happened in Jesus Christs life.

Note  how  gently  and  respectfully  Jesus  pointed  out  that  he  was moving toward manhood. Parents sometimes have difficulty in coping with their children growing up. Failure to recognise this transition period and accept it can also damage our relationship with our children. As children leave the adolescent stage and move toward adulthood, they move further away from our control and influence. This time in life can be a time of tension and conflict for both parent and child.

As we see this transition happening, we often wonder what our roles as parents are during this time. It is found in balance. We must learn to accept our children will make this transition easier to deal with.

Notice how Jesus submitted himself to his earthly parents and continued to his earthy parents and continued to live under their control and authority they had a disagreement with Jesus, yet he yielded to their authority during his childhood our children are more likely to follow the same pattern when they feel they are accepted for themselves and are allowed the opportunity to be heard.

 2.      Teach Mutual Respect

         A. Responsible children

Several years ago the phrase expression used to describe the differences in ideologies between younger and older generations unfortunately, this gap still exists todays.

The bible gives guidelines to bridging this gap that stands between many parents and their children. This relationship, like all others is one in which both parties must work together to make it work.

Children’s attitude and behaviour towards parents are important to God. In fact, one of the Ten Commandments addresses the childrens relationship with their parents. Children are directed to treat their parents with honour and respect. This is not optional; it is a command from God

 Question for Application

 Why do you think god places such a high importance on childrens

 respecting parents?

Children must realise that parents have been instructed into responsible adults. Christian children, like their parents, are under the authority of Christ. By respecting and honouring their parents, children respect and honour God

Paul, in writing to the Ephesians, addressed the conduct each family member has toward other as they live spirit-filled lives (6:1-3). A good parent-child relationship is an outgrowth of the spirit-filled life.

 Question for Application

 To what extent is a child with unsaved parents to obey them?

Obedience to God is of the utmost importance in one’s life. Children are to obey their parents ‘in the lord. Some have incorrectly taken his phrase to mean only if the parents are believers. A child is not bound to obey parents in doing anything immoral, hurtful, or illegal. The directives given here are primarily addressed homes where parents are striving to bring their children up in the fear of the lord and admonition of the lord. Yet in every family situation, respect for the parental role is a childs responsibility


Paul not only gave the command for obedience but the reasons as well it is ‘right and ‘well-pleasing unto the lord’ (Colossians 3:20). This denotes a proper behaviour for Christian children

In Ephesians 6:23, Paul substantiated his statement by quoting the fifth commandment with its promise of long life. It is important to note that respecting parents is not a guarantee of long life. This statement sets forth a general principle that obedience fosters a life of self- discipline. A discipline lifestyle generally helps a person live a longer, more productive life.

 B. Understanding Parents

 

Paul also directed his attention to the parents who have a major role in developing the parent-child relationship. Fathers are singled out in Colossians 3:21, but mothers can be included as well. Parents are not to provoke or frustrate their children. To do so will cause them to become “discourage”.

 Question for Application

 

In what ways can parents frustrate their children? A common way of frustrating children is by constantly putting them down. People respond better to praise than to criticism. Praise coupled with loving discipline will go a long way in helping build good intergenerational relationships. If parents continually redo the tasks their children perform, children feel they cannot do anything right.

A constant barrage of criticism, whether verbal or unspoken, can discourage a child. Often children carry this discouragement into their adult lives. One young lady nearly ruined her life on the streets of a major city. When a counsellor asked why she gad gotten herself into so


much trouble, she responded, when you are continually told you are no

 

good, you begin to believe it.

 

Mutual respect works both ways. Children are to honour and respect their parents. But parents are to also love, respect, and accept their children for who they are. In addition, parents are to encourage their children to become all they can be in the Lord.

 3.      Care for senior adults

         A. Do not forget older family members

An integral part of the intergenerational relations are senior adults. Like everyone else, their roles have changed within the last several years. One of these changes has been in longevity of life.

People  are  living  longer  today  than  they  did  a  few  years  ago. However, senor adults are not always able to remain self-sufficient throughout their lives. Often others must care for them in their later years.

A high priority for the early Church was caring for the widows. But the time the pastoral epistle was written, this had become an important ministry. Some, through, were abusing this ministry. Paul needed to give Timothy instructions concerning the care of widows. Paul’s instructions can be applied to taking care of senor adults today.

Paul  wrotthat  thoswho  were  widows  indeed”  were  to  be honoured. This phrase referred to widows who had no family members to take care of them. Some were allowing the local. Churches to take care of their obligations to their own family members. Paul wanted families to understand their own responsibility for taking care of their widowed family members and not allow the Church to be burdened with their care.


Questions for Application

 

Why is it important that families take responsibility for the care of their older family members? 

Part of the intergenerational relationship structure is for families to care for each other. According to verse 4, caring for the older members of our family is religion put into practice. According to Paul, this is a way that we can repay our parents and grandparents for all the sacrifices they made for us.

 B.     provide For the Elderly

The source of all of our help is god. Widows who were godly women understood this. It is these the church was to help, not those who lived for their own pleasure.

Paul  concluded  this  passage  with  a  stern  warning.  He  said  that anyone who fails to care for his family members is equal an infidel, a person who has no Christian faith. While this warning includes taking care of all family members, in this context it especially includes widows, and by extension, senior adults.


Question for application

 

What can Christian families provide for their older members?

There are many things we can do to provide for the senior adults in our families. However, they need much more than just material things. They need us. Some senior adults, because they are shut-ins, lack fellowship  with  other  Christians.  Time  spent  with  them  can  be  very

meaningful. Other senior adults may need someone to run errands for them, or to help them with tasks they are no longer able to perform.

As we minister to senior adults, we will find that our relationship with them will not be of just giving. These wonderful people have a wealth of knowledge, experience, faith, and love to share with us. Caring for the senior adult can be one of the most rewarding experiences a family can have.

Call to Discipleship

 There   is   no   way   t describ the   value   of   having   good intergenerational  relationship.  They  bring  peace  and  harmony  to  a home. The home becomes a place where all members are loved and respected for who they are. There is good communication and exchange of ideas.

On the other hand, bad family relationships make the home a place where no one wants to come home. The constant bickering and fighting creates tension. No one gives or receives love and respect. Screaming is the only form of communication.

What makes the difference between these two homes? First and foremost is a relationship with Jesus Christ. When Christ rules, peace rules. Secondly, parents and children respect each other as individuals. They also respect each other’ opinion.

 Ministry in action

 Good intergenerational relationship valuable. Pray that students will improve their relationship with their parents

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, FEBRUARY 28, TOPIC - Improving Intergenerational Relationships SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, FEBRUARY 28, TOPIC - Improving Intergenerational Relationships Reviewed by AGSundayschoollessons on 14:00 Rating: 5

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