Serving and Protecting

“The Resolution”

Session 5 – Serving and Protecting

Q:  To what lengths would you go to protect your loved ones from an intruder?

In Feb 2006, a 41yr old mom by the name of Lydia Angyiou from Canada, caught sight of an 8 ft, 700 pound polar bear making its way toward her 7 yr old son. She rushed the polar bear and began to punch and kick until her children were safe and a neighbor came out with a rifle to finish the job. A witness described Lydia as “about 5 ft nothing and 90 pounds on a wet day.” She suffered only minor injuries while protecting her children and they rarely rebel against her parenting anymore!

Hopefully, you wouldn’t stop at any cost to protect your love ones. Yet, there is an enemy even more cunning and diabolical than nay burglar, and he is coming for your loved ones. What are you willing to do to protect your family and provide them what they need?

Are you willing to rise to God’s standard of serving and protecting your family?

The apostle Paul gave instructions to the church, he included instructions concerning families. You might be surprised at what he had to say.

Read 1 Timothy 5:8

^“8 But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.”

Q: What are the implications of this verse for us?

Insert Clip 7 “Javy’s Provision”

Q: Based on his actions, what do we know about Javy as a father?

Philippians 2:3-4 says “³ Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

Javy wanted and needed a job; he had a natural desire and motivation to take care of his family and meet their needs. This faithful father accepted the responsibility God had entrusted to him, knowing god would lead him every step of the way.

Not only are fathers called to provide, they are also called to protect. While financial security is important, fathers protect their families in other ways.

The Israelites were exiled from their land, Nehemiah sought God’s help through prayer and fasting and regrouped the people to come back and rebuild the wall. While rebuilding, the people faced physical and verbal persecution form those who would halt God’s work. Watching his countrymen lose heart before his eyes, Nehemiah made a drastic move to ensure the completion of the wall.

Read Nehemiah 4:10-15

¹⁰ Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.”

¹¹ Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.”
¹² The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!” ¹³ So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.
¹⁴ Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”
¹⁵ When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall.
 

Q: What did Nehemiah do to ensure that the wall would be completed?

Nehemiah reminded the people of two things:
1- the greatness of their God and
2- the reason they were fighting- for their families (vs 14)

By stationing men by their families in exposed areas of the wall, the veracity of their fight was completely parallel to their love for their families. If there ever was a time to fight, it was then; their families’ lives depended on it. And your family’s lives depend on such a stand today as well.

Q: Where are some exposed areas in the walls of homes today?

Insert Clip 8- “Nathan Protects His Home.”

Q: From what things was Nathan trying to protect his daughter?

The Resolution for Men lays out six powerful influencers we must monitor and guard in our children’s lives. Each of them can greatly impact their thinking and decisions.

1. Their friends
2. Their education
3. Their music
4. Their movies/TV shows
5. The internet
6. Video games

Q: Are you allowing anything in your home or family that could destroy the purity, conscience, or mind of your spouse or children?

Priscilla Shirer states, “Instead of being repulsed by certain behaviors and grieved at the lies being foisted on our generation, we find ourselves more accepting of them, willing to watch and laugh, considering them suitable viewing with a side of popcorn” Pg 148 in Resolution for Women

We should teach our children to ask, “Is this honoring to God?” “Is this true, holy, and healthy?” “Will this help me to do the right things?” “Will this make me love God more?” “Will this fuel my passion for Christ, or will it pour cold water on it?” Romans 12:21 urges “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Read Psalm 23.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

² He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
³ He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
⁴ Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

Q: How does the shepherd protect and provide for his sheep?

God fathers us like a shepherd. He cares for His flock, and He knows us personally. He makes us lie down when we are weary and He provides His presence as our protection.

John 10:11

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

Jesus described Himself was a Good Shepherd. He knows us and we know Him. No enemy has a chance to get to us since He will lay down His very life to protect and care for us.

Personal Growth

Commit to memory
Nehemiah 4:14 – “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes.”

READING:

Men:         “Resolve to Demonstrate Love” (pp. 145-155)

                  “Resolve to Provide for Your Family (pp. 157-167) 

Women:    “Authentically Me” (pp. 49- 65)

                  “My Blessing” (pp. 111- 126)