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Pastor Scott L. Harris
Grace Bible Church, NY
May 12, 2013
Resolutions for Godly Women
Selected Scriptures
Introduction
Happy Mother’s Day. I often use this Sunday in which we follow the tradition of honoring mothers to speak on a topic concerning God’s design and commands for women. I will be doing that again today. Proverbs 14:1 states, The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands. Wisdom and godliness are tied directly together throughout the book of Proverbs, so you will need to be a godly woman if you want to be one who is successful in building up your home and not a foolish one that tears it down. I gave six sermons related to that topic plus eight more on parenting in the sermon series on Proverbs last year. (See: Sermons on the Family)
Out of that concern for the family, we showed the Sherwood Pictures movie, Courageous, and then did a couple of Bible studies related to it. One of the resources Diane used for teaching the ladies attending the “Honor Begins at Home” Bible study was a book entitled, The Resolution for Women, by Priscilla Shirer. We have modified the resolutions discussed in that book and at the end of the service this morning there are several ladies that would like to publically affirm their commitment to these resolutions. Since it is foolish to make commitments without understanding them, each of these ladies has either attended all the studies Diane taught or has read the entire book. Please keep in mind that a resolution is simply a statement of intent. The person is committing herself to pursue what is stated in the resolution, and by doing it publically, she is inviting others to help her in that pursuit. A formal resolution would express the reasons for the resolution in a series of “whereas” statements. In a sense, I will be doing that by briefly presenting each of these resolutions and explaining the Biblical principle behind it.
As I explain each of these resolutions, I would like you to consider how well you are doing in each area. Some of these resolutions are specific to women, but most of them are general enough to be directly applied or easily adapted to apply to men. Praise God for the areas in which you are doing well. In those areas you are not doing so well, then do not be discouraged. The Lord is gracious and merciful and His work is to see you changed into the image of His son, so simply ask for His forgiveness and resolve within yourself to apply those Biblical principles in your own life. This is not about how well you have done in the past, but how well you want to do in the present and future. It is about where you are and want to go, not where you have been.
1. I resolve to embrace my current season of life and will maximize my time in it. I will endeavor to live with a spirit of contentment.
Discontent is a good word to describe much of our society. People desire to be in some different situation than whatever their current season of life may be. Children want to be teens, teens what to be young adults, young adults want to have their career established, those with established careers are looking forward to retirement, and those who are retired would like to be young again because their aching bodies prevent them from doing many of the things they would like.
There are also seasons of life in a family. Many singles are anxious to be married, then they want babies, then they want to be past the diaper stage, then they want those children to be able to drive so they do not have to take them everywhere, then they want those teens to be adults so they can pay their own way, then they want those adults to get married and give them grandchildren, and so the cycle begins again. There are also those who are married but regret it because their spouse did not turn out to be all they were hoping for. Then there are those that were married but are now single again through either divorce or the death of their spouse.
We can refer to these various ages and life situations as seasons because they will pass and become another season just as surely as Spring becomes Summer, Summer becomes Autumn, and Autumn become winter. Or as Doris Day is reported to have said, “the trouble with middle age is knowing you will grow out of it.”
There are two very important Biblical principles that must be applied to life. The first is listed in this resolution as “maximize your time.” Paul states in Ephesians 5:15-16, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” It is a matter of taking the best advantage of the opportunities God gives to you (Colossians 4:5). Too often the time is squandered in pursuit of things that are not really that important and the opportunities pass. For example, a single woman can yearn so much about getting married that she fails to take advantage of her singleness to focus on pleasing the Lord. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 that when she gets married she will now have to be concerned about pleasing her husband. Each season of life has its own opportunities and responsibilities.
The second important principle in this first resolution is contentment, the state of being satisfied and at peace. Most of the Bible verses that directly speak about contentment are set in a context of finances or the physical necessities of life. For example, John the Baptist told the soldiers that were coming to him in repentance that they would have to be content with their wages (Luke 3:14). Paul warned in 1 Timothy 6:8-10, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil . . . “. Hebrews 13:5 address this subject stating, “make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have . . . “ But the verse goes on to explain the basis for such contentment. “. . . for He Himself has said, I will never desert you, or will I every forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?'” Contentment is a spiritual issue founded in trust of God, not the particular circumstances.
Contentment is not a gift, it is something that is learned. Paul states in Philippians 4:11-13, “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Paul learned to be content in all of his circumstance because He learned to trust God in the midst of them and then simply put his effort into serving Him to the best of his ability at any point in time. Paul was facing death, and was even looking forward to departing this life and being with Christ, yet he also was ready to remain and continue the work here for the sake of other
believers (Philippians 2:21-26). Paul was content in his circumstances, though they were unpleasant, and in his current season of life, though he was also looking forward to the next.
You have to apply that same principles to the various seasons of your life including those times when it may be unpleasant and contrary to what you desired or even what is right. Being in prison is certainly an undesirable season of life, yet Paul was even content there because he was able to see how God was using it for His glory (Philippians 2:12-20). Paul even wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” So regardless of your age; young, middle aged or elderly, and regardless of your stage of life; school, college, career, retirement, and regardless of your family situation; single, married, divorced, widowed and any of those with our without children of whatever age, you need to learn to be content in that season of life. Look to see what the Lord is doing in your life to make you more spiritually mature and what He is doing through you in the lives of others, and then rejoice.
2. I resolve to champion God’s model for womanhood regardless of my culture.
There was a time in which American culture reflected godliness as the standard for behavior. Even if people did not attain to that standard, they still tried to do what was right and when they did wrong they acknowledged that it was wrong. That is no longer true. American culture has become materialistic, hedonistic and selfish. Feminism has also wormed its way like a parasite into its fabric so that it has become increasingly difficult to live as a godly woman. Society no longer supports your effort but instead strives to pressure you to go the opposite direction. I am told that even simple things, such as finding modest clothing, is becoming increasingly difficult.
This resolution is a commitment to live according to the commands of Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” It is only reasonable that a Christian woman strives to live for God’s glory as a response to all that Jesus has done in bringing salvation from sin. The pressure of the world to get you to believe and do things its way must be resisted while God transforms your way of thinking and along with it your way of living. The primary means of having your mind changed is the word of God which reveals God’s character and commands. The second means is through God’s people who help you to understand and apply God’s word to your life.
Throughout Scripture we find women who were changed by God and then lived as contradictions to their own culture. In Joshua 2 we find Rahab who heard and believed the stories about what God had done for the nation of Israel resulting in her becoming a traitor to her own culture. The same is true about Ruth who abandoned the gods and the land of Moab to seek out the God of Israel. Lydia was a Greek business woman who was seeking after God, and after learning the gospel from Paul, her home became the meeting place for the new church that had been formed there.
To champion (be a strong advocate for) God’s model for womanhood will put you in conflict with our culture and cause divisions. Jesus warned in Matthew 10:34-36 that in following Him there would be divisions even in families. How much more so those divisions will be between the godly and ungodly in society. As much as the ungodly make a lot of noise of how others need to tolerate them and their lifestyle, they have little or no tolerance for anyone that disagrees with them. Expect to be hated because they hate our Lord (John 15:18-19).
3. I resolve to live my life as a woman answerable to God and faithfully committed to His word.
This resolution is related to the second resolution by clearly defining the source of knowledge for understanding God’s model for womanhood. Those in other religions and cults think they are following God’s model for womanhood, but they are only following the musings of men. Only God’s word, the holy Scriptures, reveal God’s character, commands and will. That point must be stressed for even within Christianity it is easy to fall victim to defining yourself and your role by the teachings and actions of other people instead of what God Himself has said. You assume they are godly because of some position or popularity they have within the church, and then you follow them instead of studying the Scriptures for yourself.
David described the importance of the Scriptures to daily life in Psalm 19:7-11, “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.” Paul described the origin and purpose of Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
If you want to live as a godly woman, you must learn the Scriptures so that you can properly follow God. Ultimately, that is all that will be important for it is to Him that you are accountable for your life (Romans 14:10). There can be a lot of pressure to try to please family, friends, peers and society, but the only one we actually need to please is the Lord (Ephesians 5:8-10).
4. I resolve to seek to devote the best of myself, my time and talents, to the primary roles the Lord has entrusted to me in each phase of my life.
The focus of this resolution is having the right priorities. There are many roles and opportunities you will have in life and everything clamors for your attention. However, because you are a finite creature with limited capabilities you must adjust your life to ensure priority is given to what is best and most important. This resolution directs priority is placed on the primary roles the Lord gives you in each phase of life. This is logical and therefore should be easy, but it is actually difficult because we are easily distracted by lessor priorities and personal interests instead of what is actually the most important.
Think of this resolution in terms of budgeting your finances. There is a hierarchy of bills you pay and things you purchase according to what is most important – or at least there should be. It is foolish to spend your money on new dress shoes when that money is needed to pay the mortgage and buy food. Pay the mortgage and other bills for necessities first, then, if there is money left over, purchase the items that are desired. In the same way, it is foolish to spend your life’s energy, your time and your talents on secondary things until after you have satisfied the priorities. What are those priorities? Fulfilling the primary roles God has given you in each phase of life.
Children are to obey their parents and gain the knowledge and learn the skills they will need to be successful in life (Ephesians 6:1;
Proverbs 1:8-9; 2:1f; 3:1f, etc.). Single adults are to continue to grow in wisdom and holiness while looking to see how to please and serve the Lord (1 Cor. 7). A wife is to seek to please her husband with god
ly submission and respect as a faithful helpmeet to him and so reflect Christ and the church in her marriage (Ephesians 5; Proverbs 31). A mother adds in the care of her children and teaching them the ways of the Lord (Titus 2:4). Older women teach the younger women to be godly (Titus 2:3). After the family priorities are taken care of there is ministry to the rest of the body of Christ according to your spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12) and then after that to those outside the church (Galatians 6:10).
5. I resolve to endeavor to be a woman quick to listen and slow to speak caring for the concerns of others and esteeming them more highly than myself.
There is no question that the tongue is a problem for people. James 3:2 says that “if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.” He then speaks of the power of the tongue and adds in verse 8, “but no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.” Proverbs 18:21 is direct stating, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
This resolution is a commitment to strive to bring the tongue under control so that it can be a blessing and prevent the damage caused when it is loose. The phrase, “quick to hear, slow to speak,” comes from James 1:19. Proverbs 10:19 states that “he who restrains his lips is wise” in contrast to the unavoidable transgression caused when there are many words. Guarding your mouth preserves life (Proverbs 13:3) and the one “who restrains his words has knowledge” (Proverbs 17:27). The problem with the tongue is the foolish mind to which it is attached as Proverbs 18:13 explains, “He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.”
The key to taming the tongue is having higher concern for others than for yourself. In other words, you have to be humble. In Philippians 2 Paul encourages unity among believers and explains the means by which that unity could be achieved. “3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” This humility was the mind of Christ which we are to have as well. It is a lot easier to control your tongue when your thoughtfulness for others is greater than your selfishness.
6. I resolve to strive to forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged.
Forgiveness is a theme that runs throughout the Scriptures. Not only God’s forgiveness for us through the sacrifice of Jesus in paying the penalty of sin on our behalf so that we can be reconciled with God, but also reconciliation between people. It is significant that Jesus included the petition, “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” within His model prayer in Matthew 6:12 and then adds in verses 14 & 15, 14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” Earlier in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addressed the issue of seeking the forgiveness of someone you have wronged (Matthew 5:23-24). Godliness includes forgiving and seeking reconciliation.
It is quite humbling to have to seek the forgiveness of someone you have wronged. It also takes humility to forgive someone that has wronged you and not hold it against them. It is an act of love that has the benefit of keeping you from developing a root of bitterness which would defile you and many others (Hebrews 12:15).
Jesus explained the extent and basis for forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-35. Peter thought it would be generous to forgive someone up to seven times, but Jesus said he would need to forgive up to seventy times seven. Jesus then explained through a story that we show mercy and forgive because of the great mercy and forgiveness we have received from God. Paul stated this succinctly in Ephesians 4:32 that we are to forgive each other “just as God in Christ has forgiven us.”
Paul explains in Romans 12:17-19 that forgiveness requires us to leave justice and revenge in the hands of God for it belongs to Him. We are never to pay back evil for evil to anyone and we are to instead overcome evil with good.
7. I resolve to embrace and encourage a life of purity, and to the degree it is within my power, I will not tolerate evil influences within my home.
Personal holiness is to be the quest of the Christian for we are called to be holy for God is holy (1 Peter 3:16). Living in practical righteousness is part of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit as you become conformed into the image of Christ. This quest affects not only you personally, but also all those whom you have authority over or have influence upon for you must stand against evil to the degree it is within your power. If you live alone or are a single parent, then you have complete control over what comes into your home and the things you participate in outside your home. If you live in your parents’ home or have a husband or a roommate, your control is limited for you cannot set the rules for what they do. You can only refuse to participate yourself and respectfully protest against the evil they bring into the home in which you live. This includes evil that comes in through the various forms of print, audio, visual and electronic media – television, movies, radio, audio players, internet, books and magazines. Do not set anything wicked before your eyes (Psalm 101:3). Do not let the ungodly influence you (Psalm 1), so this also includes friends and their communication to those in your home.
When it comes to your children, standing against evil extends outside the home to their schooling, friends, social groups and hobbies. You must constantly assess, evaluate and take action to protect your children from evil influences. This is not a matter of being overly protective and sheltering them, it is a matter of training them and assessing their abilities before we send them off to battle in the spiritual war that rages around us (Ephesians 6:10f).
8. I resolve to cultivate a peaceful home where people can see love demonstrated in my service and attitude.
This resolution puts into practice the command in Romans 12:18 to be at peace with all men so far as it depends on you along with the command in Hebrews 13:1 to be hospitable. While you cannot control other people who may be contentious, you can control yourself and be a calming influence that brings peace to your home by your own walk with the Lord. This is part of the wisdom of the woman that builds her home up instead of tearing it down by her foolishness and contention.
This resolution cannot be fulfilled without a heart of love for the Lord and because of that having a heart of love for other people (Matthew 22:37-40). It takes a humble person to serve others with a gracious attitude, but such a home is where others want to be. That becomes a great platform for evangelism.
9. I resolve to endeavor to make today’s decisions with tomorrow’s impact in mind. I will consider my current choices in light of those who will come after me.
Our society is now characterized by living in the moment for the moment. Both business and personal decisions are now commonly made on the basis of the immediate return, whether financial or personal, instead of the long term consequences of such decisions. The Christian is to make decisions in the here and now with not just the next five, ten or twenty years in mind, but with eternity too.
Proverbs 13:22 summarizes well this resolution in terms of financial planning, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for t
he righteous.” Financial decisions, both spending and investments, that are made hastily with only short term gain in mind will end up being squandered.
The same principle applies to the rest of life. Your decisions need to be those that have a long term, even eternal, impact on yourself and others. You do not earn a good reputation without paying a price in establishing your integrity. For example, people freely lie in our society to protect themselves from the consequences of their own actions, but the godly swear to their own hurt and do not change (Psalm 15:4). A liar is untrustworthy and will be avoided – would you buy a used car from a known liar? A person of integrity earns a good name because they have proven their trustworthiness over time. Remember, others, and especially your children, are also watching you and they will learn more from that than what you tell them. What effect will your decisions in the present have on them in the future?
10a. If I am single, I resolve to submit to God by yielding authority of my life to Him, pursuing faithfulness, purity and service toward those He has put in my life.
This resolution rises out of Paul’s instructions and the advantages he points out to being single in 1 Corinthians 7:25-35. The primary advantage is not having a divided interest in having to be concerned about the things of this world in pleasing your spouse. You have greater freedom to concentrate on growing in your knowledge and service to the Lord. There is also greater freedom to adjust your schedule because there are less people dependent upon you. You may even be able to serve in places that are more dangerous because you are only placing yourself at risk instead of a family.
The key to this resolution is submission to God. Without that, the advantages of being single will be wasted in selfishness, which is what most singles in our society do, and tragically that is also true among professing Christians. Frankly, if you cannot settle down into being a responsible adult who cares about others while single, you are very poor marriage material.
10b. If I am married, I resolve to submit to God by being faithful to my husband, honoring him in my conduct and conversation. I will endeavor to submit to him and show him respect. I will aspire to be a suitable partner to him and help him reach his God-given potential.
This resolution is based on the instructions for wives given in Ephesians 5:22-33 and 1 Peter 3:1-6. As with the previous resolution, the key to it is submission to God. Without that, the rest will be difficult to impossible for they are contrary to her sinful nature. Faithfulness is more than avoiding infidelity, it is steadfast loyalty of mind and body. You commit yourself to being the person that will help your husband reach his God given potential in this life. That take great humility because it means your life becomes focused on his life. It requires submission to his leadership and showing him respect in word and deed. These things are serious and essential. No woman in her right mind would agree to this resolution without trust in God that His ways are best and that He will work through her in the marriage to glorify Himself.
A quick warning for single women who may consider marriage. If you cannot follow and support him wherever he goes and whatever he does, then don’t marry him. You would be miserable trying to fulfill your God given role and you will make him miserable too.
11. If I have children, I resolve to strive to be an example in loving God with all my heart, mind and strength. If I have young children, I will train them to respect authority and live responsibly. With or without children, I resolve to strive to be an example of a woman yielded to God.
This resolution is a commitment of a mother to fulfill her God given responsibilities to her children. It begins by a commitment to love God with all your heart, soul and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) which Jesus called the first and great commandment (Matthew 22:36-37) for you cannot teach your children what is not in your own heart first. It will take diligence to do this in your own life and even more diligence to extend that into teaching your children to do the same. You will need to use every situation available throughout the course of daily life to both be an example and to teach the lessons.
The practical outworking of loving God is to obey His commandments. This will require training the children to respect authority and live responsibly. If you do not do this, then you will be teaching them to sin. The foremost desire of every Christian parent is that their children will also become Christians, but the goal of Christian parenting is to rear children to be adults with godly character even if they do not become Christians themselves. To accomplish that, you must raise them according to God’s standards by God’s methods. Since modern parenting practices are contrary to these, you will have to be very careful where you get parenting advice, and you will have to deal with the challenges brought on by people who are well meaning, but ignorant of what God requires.
Finally, regardless of whether you have children or not you must be an example of a woman who is yielded to God for you will have an influence on other people and their children. Each of these resolutions will help you be a godly influence on them, and by God’s grace and through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to fulfill them.
KIDS CORNER
Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help.
Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following: 1) Write down all the verses mentioned in the sermon and look them up later. 2) Count how many times the word “resolution” is said. Talk with your parents about the characteristics of a godly woman.
THINK ABOUT IT!
Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. What is a resolution? If you are a woman, which of these resolutions are easy for you? Which would be hard? Find a friend who will help you purse godliness. If you are a man, how do the principles of these resolutions apply to your life? If there is a woman in your life, how can you help her fulfill these resolutions?
Sermon Notes – 5/12/2013
Resolutions for Godly Women – Selected Scriptures
Introduction
A resolution is simply a statement of _________- a public resolution invites others to help fulfill that intent
Most of the principles on which these resolutions are based are easily adapted to apply to __________
1. I resolve to embrace my current season of life and will maximize my time in it. I will endeavor to live with a spirit of contentment.
Much of our society is ________________ with whatever their current season of life may be
Maximize your time – Eph. 5:15-16; Col. 4:5 – take advantage of the ___________________God gives you
Learn to be content – the state of being ___________________ and at peace
________________ contentment – Luke 3:14; 1 Timothy 6:8-10; Hebrews 13:5
Contentment is a _________________ issue founded
in trust of God – Hebrews 13:5
Contentment is something that is _________________- Philippians 4:11-13
Be ___________in your season of life even when you long for the next – Philippians 2:21-26
Be content in your ____________________even if unpleasant – Philippians 2:12-20; 2 Corinthians 12:10
2. I resolve to champion God’s model for womanhood regardless of my culture.
American culture has become materialistic, hedonistic, selfish and ________________by feminism
Be __________________ to live according to Romans 12:1-2
Your mind is ___________________through God’s word – and then His people helping you apply it
Rahab, Ruth, and Lydia all learned to live in contraction to their own ______________
Be prepared to be ______for the sake of Christ when you follow Jesus instead of the culture (John 15:18-19)
3. I resolve to live my life as a woman answerable to God and faithfully committed to His word.
Only God’s word, the holy _______________, reveal God’s character, commands and will.
Psalm 19:7-11
2 Timothy 3:16-17
You must learn the ______________ for yourself in order to properly follow God as a godly woman
4. I resolve to seek to devote the best of myself, my time and talents, to the primary roles the Lord has entrusted to me in each phase of my life.
As a finite creature you must adjust your life to ensure ________is given to what is best and most important
Spending your life’s energy, time & talents on secondary things before satisfying the priorities is ________
The priority is to fulfill the primary _______________God has for you in each season of life
5. I resolve to endeavor to be a woman quick to listen and slow to speak caring for the concerns of others and esteeming them more highly than myself.
The tongue is _______________- James 3:2, 8; Proverbs 18:21
The tongue must be _________so that it can be a blessing – James 1:19; Proverbs 10:19; 13:3; 17:27; 18:13
Tame the tongue by being ___________and having a higher concern for others than for yourself (Phil 2:1-5)
6. I resolve to strive to forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged.
Being forgiving is necessary to being ______________- Matthew 6:12, 14-15; 5:23-24
The _________seek forgiveness and are forgiving as an act of love – which prevents bitterness (Heb. 12:15)
The basis of forgiving others is ______________God’s forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35)
7. I resolve to embrace and encourage a life of purity, and to the degree it is within my power, I will not tolerate evil influences within my home.
Personal holiness is the _______of the Christian (1 Peter 3:16) and part of the sanctifying work of the Spirit
If you are not in control of where you live, you can still refuse to _________in evil and respectfully protest it
______influences enter the home through various forms of print, audio, visual & electronic media & friends
Do not let what is wicked _________________ you (Psalm 1; Psalm 101:3; Romans 16:19)
Protect your children from evil influences ____________the home too – school, social groups, hobbies, etc.
8. I resolve to cultivate a peaceful home where people can see love demonstrated in my service & attitude
Be at ________with all people so far as it depends on you and be hospitable – Romans 12:18; Hebrews 13:1
Those that have a heart of ____for the Lord and others will be able to fulfill this resolution (Matt. 22:37-40)
9. I resolve to endeavor to make today’s decisions with tomorrow’s impact in mind. I will consider my current choices in light of those who will come after me.
The Christian is to make decisions with ______________consequences in mind including eternity
Proverbs 13:22
It takes _____________, consistency and time to earn a good name
10a. If I am single, I resolve to submit to God by yielding authority of my life to Him, pursuing faithfulness, purity and service toward those He has put in my life.
Singleness has ______________- 1 Corinthians 7:25-35
There is greater _________________to focus on the Lord, adjust your schedule, take greater risks
Without submission to God the advantages of singleness will be ________________
10b. If I am married, I resolve to submit to God by being faithful to my husband, honoring him in my conduct and conversation. I will endeavor to submit to him and show him respect. I will aspire to be a suitable partner to him and help him reach his God-given potential.
Ephesians 5:22-23; 1 Peter 3:1-6
Fulfilling these roles takes _______________and trust in God that His ways are best
If you can’t follow him wherever he goes and support him in whatever he does, don’t ____________him
11. If I have children, I resolve to strive to be an example in loving God with all my heart, mind and strength. If I have young children, I resolve to train them to respect authority and live responsibly. With or without children, I resolve to strive to be an example of a woman yielded to God
Deut. 6:4-9; Matt. 22:36-37. Love of God must first be in your heart ______you can teach it to your children
If you do not teach your children to respect authority and live responsibly, you teach them to _______
Modern parenting practices are _______________ to godliness – beware of where you get your advice
Your example will influence others, so it is imperative to live a ____________life
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