1	Household Order & True Religion Homeschooling: A Step in the Right Direction Presentation can be found at http://swcassembly.org
2	Deuteronomy 6:4-9
3	Household Order Call to homeschool? Teach God’s law diligently (Deut 6:4-9) “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Eph 6:4) To carry out God’s plan Man is the head Wife is helpmeet How far does headship go?
4	I Corinthians 11:3,11-12
5	NT and OT Household Order Although we are “under grace” the writers of the NT seem to be in sync with “the law” Jesus refers to Genesis & Deuteronomy… Ephesians 5, 1 Peter 3, Titus 2… Throughout, two primary relationships Father/Son Man/Bride Father sent His Son to redeem and claim His bride which the Father had prepared for Him from the beginning If we’re to follow God Reflect Him in these relationships Starts with the Man/Head For more detail, see Numbers…
6	Numbers 30:1-16 (1-5)
7	Numbers 30:1-16 (6-11)
8	Numbers 30:1-16 (12-16)
9	Being Under a Head This is tyrannical (to the world) But it is “protective” Women don’t bear the guilt The head does With authority comes great responsibility* Picture - Ambassador for Christ Patriarch - Leader of his home and future generations Protector - Husband to the weaker vessel (“Woman and Children first!”) Professor - Teacher to his wife, children, et al Provider - Giver to his wife, family, God’s people Priest - Pray-er for his family and others Participant - Influencing the community and the world in which He lives
10	James 1:22-27
11	Doer of the Word Under the law of liberty Recognize what is right to do Don’t act like a sinner If you are going to practice what you hear Watch your tongue Visit widows and orphans in distress (meet their needs) Don’t get stained by the world Feminism Licentiousness Pleasure-seeking (fleshly desires) Accolades Materialism
12	A Look at Numbers “Numbers” Based on 2+ numberings, or “In The Wilderness” (Jewish Writings) What Happened to the Israelites after they received their calling ~39 years in the wilderness From last days at Sinai, to early days in Moab Key Message: God’s people can only go forward as they trust in Him
13	Numbers…Where Are We? Failure of the Leaders/Spies Except Joshua & Caleb God states the consequences 40 years wandering in the desert This generation won’t see Promised Land New Leaders fail and are reinstructed “Me Generation” on its way out Next Generation Cries out to God Before moving in to Promised Land Inheritance Protection Provision
14	Numbers 26:1-2
15	Men - Claiming God’s Promise First time 603,550 assembling for battle against the godless after consecrating themselves about 1 year after leaving Egypt (See Numbers 1-2) Failed to claim God’s promise Feared the “Godless” world Wanted what the “Godless” world had Second time Army of 601,730 (See 26:51) Same apparent purpose? More attention to clans Faithful generation, claiming God’s promise to overcome the “Godless” world Dividing the inheritance for His purpose
16
17	Numbers 26:52-56
18	Their Inheritance Earlier, we see laws of “inherited land” “The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me.” (Lev. 25:23) Now, it’s getting a little more concrete Census is taken before going to battle Method of division is settled Unified so spoil won’t divide them Assurance God will give it into their hands But it’s God’s They are getting it for His purpose
19	Numbers 26:63-65
20	A New Generation When the Lord says it… Three left standing: Moses Joshua Caleb But, let’s re-establish some things about the land Remember all of my feasts, etc. (Num 28-29) Male Leadership Headship Protection
21	Are Daughters Insignificant? Heads of households are to be male, as the norm Inheritance passes to sons Does not having a son make you lose your inheritance? God clearly states that it does not Zelophehad’s Daughters - Num 27:1-11 Woman’s liberation?
22	Why Do Men Get the Inheritance? Men are heads/providers/protectors Need means to provide Need authority to lead Need domain to protect First son given a double portion? What if the men aren’t there?
23	Father to the Fatherless, Widows’ Support/Judge/Provider/Protector “A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation.” (Ps 68:5) “The LORD protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow, But He thwarts the way of the wicked.” (Ps 146:9) “You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.” (Ex 22:22-24) Deuteronomy: full of provisions for widows Prophets: full of judgments for afflicting widows
24	Seldom Taught & Less Practiced… God’s design is that men lead households If a man doesn’t, judgment If a women usurps, judgment Women are vulnerable without a man to protect, provide, support But woe to the man who doesn’t Even more woe to the man who takes advantage of those left unprotected Widows and fatherless should receive protection, provision, support through inheritance or His people Family first God’s People (Church) next But widows must keep themselves dependent on God When women become independent of men & God Families break down Society breaks down God is blasphemed (see Titus 2) It is part of God’s judgment!
25	Law vs. Grace? But that’s the Old Testament under the Law… We’re not under the Law, but under grace… Besides, what does any of this have to do with homeschooling?
26	The Tip of God’s Glorious Iceberg Israel abandoned God’s law… Sailing along happily on man-made pleasure boat God brought tragedy as judgment Under Grace “If you love Me, you’ll keep My commandments…” (John 14:15, see also Deuteronomy, John 14-16…) “make disciples of all nations,… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matt 28:19-20) Our fathers abandoned God’s Word Sought their way without God God’s iceberg: Judgment Public schools are the tip Ineffectiveness/desolation of family, church, etc. Licentiousness in the name of freedom Control/dependence on Godless government
27	Acts 6:1-3
28	Widows Provided For From beginning of early church, providing for widows seen as fundamental duty When some neglected, a stink ensued Never a question that it should happen Found the most reliable and spirit-filled men to oversee it
29	I Timothy 5:1-16 (1-7)
30	I Timothy 5:1-16 (8-12)
31	I Timothy 5:1-16 (13-16)
32	Three Classes of Widows Each must be reliant on God and not given to wanton pleasures Widows indeed Those who have no support/protection/provision Widows of the list 60+, who were finished child-bearing, and had been a faithful, godly keeper-at-home Widows who have family to support them
33	Widows w/ Family First and foremost, husband/father should provide support If he doesn’t, he is worse than an unbeliever God hates divorce But, grown children or grandchildren are next… making a return Any believing family member who has a means of support should share it with widows in their family Don’t expect the church to do it Don’t expect anyone else (e.g. government) to do it
34	Widows of the List Inferred from context Permanently and fully supported (in return of some sort of pledge?) Don’t do this for widows who are still eligible to continue raising a family They will become dependent, idle, and fall into temptation, bringing reproach If possible, go back into their designed role Hold them accountable Don’t do this for any woman who is not completely above reproach
35	Widows Indeed No other means of support No believing family No (or little) inheritance/income Reliant on God Make sure their basic needs are met List might give them more than that… by not putting them on the list, they won’t be as tempted Don’t want to be a stumbling block What are basic needs? Whatever it takes to keep them healthy and keep them from distress Keep them focused on God rather than the works of their flesh
36	What About Divorced Women? If unrepentantly desire divorce due to seeking their own pleasure, they are not dependent on God But, He even encourages a believing woman to let unbelieving husband go (if he wants to) Otherwise, God does not seem to draw a distinction (Num 30)
37	I Cor 7:8-15 (8-13)
38	I Cor 7:8-15 (14-15)
39	Divorce Don’t initiate it Make every attempt to live at peace If the unbeliever wants to leave… YOU ARE NO LONGER UNDER BONDAGE You are as free as a widow Why would God treat them differently? Why should we? What about divorce before salvation? “If any is in Christ he is a new creation” “Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk.” (I Cor 7:17a)
40	Sheep Without A Shepherd “The Lord is my Shepherd” Yes, and we are the body of Christ Men: We are his undershepherds Women: Don’t strive to be a sheep without a shepherd! Don’t leave sheep unprotected Daughters Wives Widows Children Fatherless
41	Getting Your Family in God’s Order “These words… shall be on your heart” (Deut 6:6)
42	Getting Your Family in God’s Order “These words… shall be on your heart” (Deut 6:6) “love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Eph 5:25)
43	Getting Your Family in God’s Order “These words… shall be on your heart” (Deut 6:6) “love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Eph 5:25) “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4)
44	Getting Your Family in God’s Order “These words… shall be on your heart” (Deut 6:6) “love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Eph 5:25) “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4) “(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)” (1 Tim 3:5)
45	Getting Your Family in God’s Order “These words… shall be on your heart” (Deut 6:6) “love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Eph 5:25) “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4) “(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)” (1 Tim 3:5) True religion?
46	Psalm 127