DAY THREE OF THE RETREAT

Topic:  SHARING THE GOOD THINGS OF LIFE

• Discuss – The meaning of sharing  
• Have participants explain how to share with one another in a family.

·        What does God want us to share among ourselves?

EXAMPLES

Ø As Christians, the Bible is clear throughout its pages that we’re called to give generously. Even in the book of Exodus chapter 35, we see the Israelites all generously giving the materials and time to build the tabernacle. If any of those people decided to withhold the materials they owned or the skills they had, the tabernacle wouldn’t have come together.

Ø In Malachi 3:10-12, giving is the one thing God tells us to test him in.

Ø In the New Testament, God himself gave us his only son because he loves us so much, and that Son died on a cross for us. It sets a model that generosity in God’s people should be sacrificial. Here’s a small sampling of what the Bible has to say about giving and generosity.

Why should we give share what we have with others? Have members discuss the reason why we should share with one another.

NOTE THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES FROM THE BIBLE ON WHY WE SHOULD BE GENEROUS:

Ø 1 John 3:16-18

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Ø Acts 20:35

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Ø Luke 11:13

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Ø Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Ø Malachi 3:10-12

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

NOTE

An important aspect of our Christian obligation is that we all have a Christian duty toward others.

Our family is also the body of Christ because it’s a community of God’s people. Therefore, we owe each basic duties.

QUESTIONS:

1.     How do we share among us as a family?

2.     How much sharing has each member of the family done in recent times?

3.     How does sharing help the family grow to fulfil God’s divine purpose?

Read the following to members to teach how basic duties to one another also help to fulfil our Christian aspiration.

·       First, we have a Christian duty to serve each other. The Bible says, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10) It is in our service that all will see God’s grace in action as we demonstrate our faith. Service is the embodiment of Christian love toward others.

·       Second, we have a Christian duty to encourage one another. First Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up.” It is easy in this world to become discouraged because of work, relationships and finances. It is through encouragement that people can rise up and overcome any obstacle they may encounter if they believe in themselves. So, it is our Christian duty to help them believe, overcome and stay faithful in a discouraging world.

·       Third, we have a Christian duty to help carry burdens for others. Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Nobody should have to walk alone in the valley of being burdened. We need to walk with others and share in and lighten the heavy load many carry on their shoulders. Jesus removed our greatest burden at the cross. Therefore, we — just as Jesus did — need to help our brothers and sisters who are lost in the valley.

·       Lastly, we have a Christian duty to pray for each other. James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” The heavy loads we carry just don’t stay in the natural world, but also belong in the spiritual. We must pray for each other. Sometimes when we are tired and burdened we just don’t feel like praying. Therefore, we as Christians must intercede for our brothers and sisters and pray on their behalf. Powerful and effective prayer will make all the difference.

To whom much is given, much is required. As Christians, we have a duty toward others. It is not a choice, but it is required. What a much different place this would be if we all as Christians would rise up and perform our duty. Therefore, be encouraged that it is not too late to take your post and serve God and others to the fullness of your duty. For if you do not take your post and do your duty, who will?

NOTE THESE IMPORTANT APECTS OF FAMILY SHARING

Note the following aspects of sharing:

·        Share The Word

·        Share Our Faith

·        Share Our Food

·        Share Love

·        Share Problems and fear

·        Share Our Time

·        Share Personal Items

·        Share Our Joy

NOTE: t’s important to care and share because if you do, other people would follow in your footsteps and the world would be a happier place. It affects people in a good way because if you do something good to someone, they will feel loved and most likely do something good for someone else.

HOW DO WE ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO SHARE?

·        Showing Appreciation in little things,

·        taking turn to assist in family task encourages the parent to give resources to the family more readily.

 IMPORTANCE OF SHARING AS A FAMILY

ü We remain or stay together.

ü The seed of love blossoms

ü Sacrifice is enhanced

ü Family become Christ centred

PRAYER TIME

Jesus taught us how to pray as follows:

v “Our father in heaven, hallowed be thy name”

Therefore, let us honour the Lord, for His goodness and mercies.

v Your kingdom come; thy will be done as it is in heaven.

Therefore, let us submit to God.

v Give us this day our daily bread.

Therefore, let us depend on Him to meet our needs.

v And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Therefore, let us trust God to forgive our sins.

v And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil.

Therefore, let us ask Him for strength to resist the devil.

NOTE

When we pray for deliverance, we are actually praying for the following:

–         Deliverance from persecution by enemies of our faith (Psalm 7:12)

–         Deliverance from physical harm, random and senseless tragedies. (Psalm 11: 19 – 21)

–         Deliverance from personal adversaries. (Psalm 31: 15)

–         Deliverance from poverty and needs (33: 18-19)

–         Deliverance from the power of fear (Psalm 34:4)