We started this year on the journey of taking territories, and we have been equipping our families with the requirements for taking territories as God instructed the Israelites in Joshua chapter 1.
We have discussed strength, courage, and obedience. We are taking further steps to consider another important requirement- UNITY.
We have established that territories are not just given, they are taken forcefully, and when an army goes to war, one important requirement for victory is unity: everyone working together and playing their part to achieve a common goal. Can two walk together except they be agreed? Amos 3:3
Where there is no unity, soldiers break ranks and make formation and tactics ineffective, giving the enemy a weak point to invade. A house that is divided against itself shall not stand Matt 12:25
Our common enemy, the devil, understands the importance of unity, that is why one of his strategy is to sow discord or disunity amongst brethren. John 10:10a
Activity 1: Discuss the importance of unity and the devil’s attempt to cause disunity using examples from Jesus’ disciples Luke 9:46, Luke 22:24 and the early church Acts 6:1-2.
The devil knows that a united family under God can achieve anything they set their heart to achieve. Tower of Babel Gen 11:5-6, Nehemiah and the building Neh 4:6, the early church Acts 5:12-14. Our Master Jesus confirmed this:
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matt 18:19-20
So as a family, for us to take territories, we need to add unity to our strength, courage and obedience, and according to scripture we should be united spirit, soul and body.
UNITY OF THE SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY
Unity of spirit Eph 3:3-6: This means unity in our belief in God through Jesus Christ as well as doctrines, teachings, devotions to God and hope of eternity. The devil most times attacks this and makes the church/ family disagree in this aspect, and if he succeed in doing this, he limits what we can achieve. Remember John 10:10.
Unity of soul Acts 4:32-33, Acts 5:12-14: This reflects what we think and how we interact with the rest of our family members, what our core values are, and to what extent we are willing to go to ensure that this is in line with Christlike virtues.
Unity of body 1Cor12:12,26: Although this scripture is an analogy about the body of Christ, the use of the human body parts being different but member of one body, with each part working for the benefit of the whole body and looking out for the interest of the other parts explains the unity of the body. Each member of the family using their own talents, giftings, knowledge for the benefit of the whole family and avoiding anything that will put the family at a disadvantage.
Activity 2: Each member of the family to take turns and discuss their talents and gifts and how they can use it to foster unity in the family 1Cor12:15-26.
For instance, if one child can play the keyboard and another can play the drums, they can play both instruments together during family worship to make it more awesome.
If one child knows how to do paper craft and the other knows how to draw and make designs, they can work together sometimes to produce more beautiful crafts instead of saying ‘don’t touch my thing.’
Share in the comment section other ways of fostering unity in the family.
*If there is no unity in the army, they cannot win a battle, if there is no unity in the family, we cannot take territories.
# To strength, courage and obedience; add unity.
Raising Godly Children 