Bethesda Chapel 2002
SG Bible Study #3
Filial Piety
Suggested Opening Song:
When upon life’s billows you
are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged
thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings, name
them one by one
And it will surprise you what
the Lord hath done
Chorus:
Count your blessings, name them one by one
Count your blessings,
see what God hath done
Count your blessings, name them one by one
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done
Are you ever burdened with a
load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you
are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every
doubt will fly
And you will be singing as the
days go by
When you look at others with their lands and gold
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold
Count your many blessings, money
cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your
home on high
So, amid the conflict, whether
great or small
Do not be discouraged, God is
over all
Count your many blessings,
angels will attend
Help and comfort give you to
your journey’s end
Sharing as desired on an
individual basis (Optional)
The past week would have been filled with eventful and
uneventful happenings. Is there
something that fellow members can bear you up in prayer?
Or is there a blessing or two to encourage others?
Prayers
As the situation warrants, pray in twos, threes, or as a group pertaining to sharing made.
Scripture
Reading
Luke 2:41-52
Point One: Carried
to its extreme, ‘Filial Piety’ in ancient belief becomes anti-biblical.
Note:
1. By ‘extreme’ is meant that of the veneration of deceased parents.
2. In making mention of five duties that a filial son should perform to his
parents, Confucius refers to one of them to be, ‘He must offer sacrifices to
his deceased parents with the utmost solemnity.’
3. Look up Deut. 26:14; Ex. 20:3-5
Point Two: What Jesus said
concerning filial piety?
Note:
1. Read Mark 7:1-13 (considered the last time).
2. Through time, the religious leaders had themselves developed a whole
array of ‘traditions’ that devout Jews were to adhere to.
Eventually, these become even more important than Scripture itself.
Point Three: Was Jesus
Himself filial to His earthly parents?
Note:
1. This incident occurred during the time when Jesus reached twelve years
old, the age of maturity where one becomes a ‘son of the law.’ He must now fulfil His obligations and responsibilities to
His parents.
2. In response to His mother’s question in vs. 48, Jesus’ answer in vs.
49 has to be considered in the light of His personal knowledge that He is both
‘Son of the Law’ and ‘Son of God.’
1. Warm up. In your communication with colleagues, friends and relatives, what level of filial piety do you see it being practiced today? How does our non-Chinese friends value filial piety?
2. If we are to refrain from filial piety that is carried out to its ‘extreme’, how does this affect me:
(a) When attending funeral wakes that are filled with varied religious rites?
(b) How should I behave, or what should/can I do during ‘Ching Ming’ festival?
(c) How should I now relate to my parents who have yet to acknowledge Christ?
3. Have you ever been ‘disappointed’ at the way Jesus reacted to His mother’s query? Are you ‘satisfied’ now that He did practice filial piety?
4. How should I respond (or what advise should I give) in the case of parents who does not provide for the family? Or how do I (or what advise should I give) in the case of parents who have been irresponsible, e.g. drunkards and drug addicts? Consider Eph. 6:1-4 and Col. 3:20, 21.
For personal reflection:
In the light of parents needing to do
their part, what might be some things that we do that are provoking and
exasperating to our children?