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Building Strong Families in a Broken World
"Blessing: the Gift that Keeps on Giving" 
Pastor Rob Carlson
Sunday, May 1, 2005

 

OUR FOCUS TODAY: BLESSING- Healing • Hope • Habit

FIVE WAYS TO B-L-E-S-S YOUR FAMILY AND OTHERS

 BUILDING WORDS--The power of affirmation.
see Genesis chs. 27,48,49

God spoke his blessing to Abraham
Abraham spoke his blessing to his son Isaac. 
Isaac spoke a blessing to his son Jacob. 
Jacob gave a verbal message to each of his twelve sons and to two grandsons.


LOVING TOUCH--The power of physical touch.
see Genesis 27:26

Jesus and Children (Mark 10:13-14,16) 
Jesus touched the leper (Mark 1:40-42)
Jacob blesses Joseph’s two sons (Gen. 48:9,10,14)


ENVISIONED FUTURE--The power of picturing gifts, abilities, promise, purpose.
see Genesis chs. 27,49


STATED VALUE--The power of attaching high value and honor.
see Genesis chs. 27,48,49


SPECIFIC PRAYER--The power of ongoing commitment and requesting divine favor.
see Genesis 27:28

Aaron's Prayer of Blessing
Numbers 6:24-28--
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you,
The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

• Bless and keep them: favor and protect
• Make His face shine upon them: be pleased
• Be gracious: merciful and compassionate
• Turn His face toward them: give His approval
• Give peace: internal rest

The Jabez Prayer of Blessing
I Chron. 4:10 (NKJV)--And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that you hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. 

· Ask for and expect God’s blessing for today.
· Plead for more “territory” and step forward to receive it.
· Lean upon the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts, words and actions.
· Ask God to keep evil from spoiling the blessing He desired to bring about through me.

Prov. 10:22(TLB)--The Lord’s blessing is our greatest wealth; all our work adds nothing to it.

Small Group Discussion Questions

1. What comes to your mind when you think of "blessing" people around you?

2. Review the points and Bible verses from this lesson. 
What personal application can you make from this week's teaching? 

3. What can you do to specifically bless each member of your family and close circle of friends?

4. Take some time right now to pray for the needs of those in your small group.

 

*Scripture is quoted from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.
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