Leading in Believing [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 31:1–8]

How must a man lead the people of God? Deuteronomy 31:1–8 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who lead the people of God must do so as those who are trusting in the Lord, and leading others in trusting in Him. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional emphasizes that while Moses’ departure and Joshua’s appointment mark a transition in earthly leadership, the people’s hope must remain fixed on God alone. The repeated command to be strong and of good courage is not mere encouragement but a divine mandate grounded in God’s faithfulness, calling each generation to trust Him rather than fear, even in the face of daunting challenges. Pastor underscores that every leader—whether in family, church, or nation—must first be a believer-in-chief, relying not on personal ability but on God’s sustaining presence. Ultimately, the call is to live by faith in Christ, the true Leader and Deliverer, who promises to be with His people always, empowering them to fulfill their God-given duties with courage and obedience.

2026.03.04 Hopewell @Home ▫ Deuteronomy 31:1–8

Read Deuteronomy 31:1–8

Questions from the Scripture text: Who spoke to whom (Deuteronomy 31:1)? What did he say about his age (Deuteronomy 31:2)? And his ability? And what has YHWH said to him? Who does cross over before them (Deuteronomy 31:3)? What will He do? So that they can do what? Who else crosses before them? What is the example of what YHWH will do to the nations of the land (Deuteronomy 31:4)? What must they do with those whom YHWH gives over to them (Deuteronomy 31:5)? What does Deuteronomy 31:6 command? Why must they? What will YHWH do? What will YHWH not do? Whom does Moses call in Deuteronomy 31:7? In whose sight? What does he command him? For what task? What does Moses call the land? What will Joshua cause them to do with the land? What promise does Moses make to him in Deuteronomy 31:8—what will YHWH do with Joshua? What won’t He do? What mustn’t Joshua do? 

How must a man lead the people of God? Deuteronomy 31:1–8 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who lead the people of God must do so as those who are trusting in the Lord, and leading others in trusting in Him.  

The Lord is our hope and our help, but He uses means—especially particular men. In this passage, there is a transition from Moses’s leadership to Joshua’s leadership, before the eyes of Israel. But, in the most important way, there is no transition at all. It is still YHWH Who goes before them, YHWH Who will be with them, and YHWH Who will not leave or forsake them.

The Lord has marvelously sustained Moses to lead them. He is functioning marvelously for a 120 year old (cf. Deuteronomy 34:7), but the Lord is not preparing him to lead the military campaign in the promised land (Deuteronomy 31:2). He is preparing Joshua to do that (Deuteronomy 31:3, Deuteronomy 31:8). Just as YHWH used Moses, so now He will use Joshua. Just as He destroyed and dispossessed Sihon and Og (Deuteronomy 31:4), so will He do to the nations of Canaan (Deuteronomy 31:3). This, He does in marriages through husbands, in families through dads, and in congregations through ministers and elders. 

The parallels between Deuteronomy 31:6 and Deuteronomy 31:7-8 show us the nature of leading (and following) as one who follows YHWH. 

YHWH Himself will cross over before Israel (Deuteronomy 31:3) and YHWH is the One Who goes before them (Deuteronomy 31:8). YHWH will go with Israel (Deuteronomy 31:6), and YHWH will be with Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:8). 

YHWH will not leave nor forsake Israel (Deuteronomy 31:6), and YHWH will not leave nor forsake Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Israel is to be strong and of good courage(Deuteronomy 31:6); Joshua is to be strong and of good courage (Deuteronomy 31:7). 

Israel is to obey every commandment (Deuteronomy 31:5), and Joshua must go, as he is now being commanded (Deuteronomy 31:7). Israel must not fear or be afraid (Deuteronomy 31:6, in contrast to what they did at the report of the spies), and Joshua must not fear nor be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8). 

The implication is plain: those by whom YHWH leads His people must do so by being the lead believers—the lead trusters in the Lord and obeyers of the Lord. They must not lead like it depends upon them, and those whom they lead must not put their trust in them. Leaders are to be “believers-in-chief” above those whom they lead.

Whom are you leading, or by whom are you being led? Whom are you/they counting on to make things turn out well? How can you tell whether you are trusting in the Lord, or whether you are trusting in the man whom the Lord is using?

Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for when we are afraid or dismayed. This shows that we forget that You go before us, and we forget that You are with us. And forgive us for when we trust in the man that You use to lead us, when we should be trusting in You Yourself. But, give us to trust in Christ, by Whom You lead us, because He is one God, with You and with the Spirit, forever. So, we ask this in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP7B “God Is My Shield” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace” 

Where Jesus Makes Himself Known [Family Worship lesson in Song of Songs 6:1–3]

Where can we find Christ? Song of Songs 6:1–3 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that it is Christ Who finds us, in His church, by His ordained means of grace. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: Song of Songs 6:1–3 emphasizes that the church—described as the bride and the garden of spices—is both the place and the means by which Christ is sought, known, and enjoyed. The church is where He feeds His flock and gathers His lilies. This vision calls the church to prioritize Christ-centered teaching and mutual edification as marks of true spiritual vitality.

2026.03.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ Song of Songs 6:1–3

Read  Song of Songs 6:1–3

Questions from the Scripture text: What do the Daughters of Jerusalem ask the bride (Song of Songs 6:1a, c)? What do they call her (verse 1b)? Why do they ask (verse 1d)? Where does the bride say that He has gone (Song of Songs 6:2a)? What is there (verse 2b)? What does He intend to do there (verse 2c–d)? What does she conclude about herself (Song of Songs 6:3a)? And about Him (verse 3b)? What does she ultimately conclude that He is doing, where (verse 3c)? 

Where can we find Christ? Song of Songs 6:1–3 prepares us for the opening portion of public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that it is Christ Who finds us, in His church, by His ordained means of grace. 

One of the great things that believers can do for the church is ask her to tell them about Christ Himself (cf. Song of Songs 5:9). Now, in these three verses, we see a second: ask the church where/how Christ is to be found. True church members desire to find Him themselves (“that we may seek Him with you,” Song of Songs 6:1d). And true church members desire for the church, corporately, to find Him. So, one of their great services to themselves and to her is to ask, “Where has your Beloved gone?” (verse 1a) or “Where has your Beloved turned aside?” (verse 1c). In answering these questions, the church herself finds her beloved.

It turns out to be vital that these church members continue to have this view of the bride: “fairest among women” (Song of Songs 6:1b). For, when the church answers the question of where Christ is to be found, the answer is… the church! “My Beloved has gone to His garden.” Now, not everything that is called the church is automatically a place where Christ is found. Rather, when the church is producing Christlikeness (“beds of spices”), and devoted to the means of His grace by which He feeds them (“feeding [His flock]”), that the congregations (“gardens”) as His church (“His garden.”) 

When the church has not been well or done well, the answer is not to turn to something else. The parachurch inclination is opposite the way of the Lord. The solution is not to work outside the church, but the reformation and revival of the church itself. This is where Christ will be found.

And what is He doing there? Gathering lilies. This language of gathering (Song of Songs 6:2d) is used of Christ’s collecting believers to Himself (cf. Matthew 23:37, John 11:52). What does Jesus do in His garden? He eats, He enjoys, He invites current friends/beloved to do the same (cf. Song of Songs 5:1); and, He gathers lilies. Notice that this is done not just in “His garden” (singular, Song of Songs 6:2a), but “in the gardens” (plural, verse 2c). The church is not merely some nebulous association of all believers in the world; it is found especially in particular congregations. Jesus walks among the lampstands. If this was true of the church at the time of the Song, how much more in the age of the gospel!

What a wonderful cure this was for the bride, in this Song! In the four short lines of Song of Songs 6:2, as she answered the daughters, she becomes the means of her own rediscovery of her Beloved. What a blessed ministry the church has, where, in order to do good to her members, she is the means of her own revival.

And this is her conclusion: “I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved’s is mine” (Song of Songs 6:3a–b). Her “veil” (cf. Song of Songs 5:7) is restored. She has recovered her confidence in their marriage bond, her certainty in His love. She knows Him, again, as she has before: as the One Who feeds His flock among the lilies. Among those whom He is gathering to Himself.

Dear Christian, dear church, this is where Christ gives you to know Him with confidence: as the One Who has betrothed you to Himself, the One Who feeds His flock in His church—the One Who gathers His elect to Himself, by His means, in His church. Let us come to Him, in His church, in His means, where we will find this altogether lovely One! Or rather… it is there that He has ordained to find us.

How have you sought, from your own congregation, to know where Christ can be found? How have you sought to be provided with those things in which He can be found? How have you availed yourself of the means of His grace in your congregation? What has been your experience of Christ in those means?

Sample prayer:  Lord, You are our Beloved. Give to our congregation to teach us where to find You. And give to our congregation to look for You in the means of grace, so that we may seek You together. Make us to know that we are Yours. Make us to know that You are ours. Feed Your flock here, and gather Your elect to Yourself. Make us to know and see You, again, our altogether lovely One, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP34B “I Will at All Times Bless the LORD” or TPH87A “Zion, Founded on the Mountains”

The Covenant that Only Condemns Us [Children's Catechism 42—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 42—especially explaining how the Covenant of Works can only kill us; for salvation, we need Christ, and His Covenant of Grace.

Q42. Why can none be saved through the covenant of works? Because all have broken it, and are condemned by it. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Where to Find Jesus [2026.03.01 Evening Sermon in Song of Songs 6:1–3]

The Lord Jesus gives Himself to be found in His church.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

The Glory of the Lord’s Day [2026.03.01 Morning Sermon in Matthew 28:1–15]

The risen Lord Jesus prepares us for the glory of the Day of the Lord by the experience of His glory every Lord's Day.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

Sacraments Strengthening Faith [2026.03.01 Sabbath School in WCF 27.1—Hopewell 101]

God gives us the sacraments to strengthen our faith in Him and His promises.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Trained to Hide in Christ [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 22:1–9]

What are true riches? Proverbs 22:1–9 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that what is ultimately valuable to us is the fellowship and favor of God. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The passage presents a profound contrast between earthly and eternal riches, asserting that divine fellowship and divine favor surpass material wealth, while affirming that both rich and poor are equally created by God and accountable to Him. True prudence is not measured by worldly foresight but by preparing for eternity in the fear of the Lord and humility, which lead to hiding in Christ as the only safe refuge from eternal judgment. The wise use of material resources is not for control or self-aggrandizement, but for generosity that indicates spiritual wealth. At the core of the passage lies the imperative to train children in the way of Christ—founded in faith, humility, and a relationship with God—so that they will never depart from it, for God’s grace ensures that those He converts will be perfected in the day of Christ. We ought to assess whether our measure of how our life is going is by how things are between us and the Lord.

2026.03.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 22:1–9

Read Proverbs 22:1–9

Questions from the Scripture text: What is to be chosen above what (Proverbs 22:1a)? What else above what else (verse 1b)? Who have something in common (Proverbs 22:2a)? What do they have in common (verse 2b)? What does the prudent man foresee (Proverbs 22:3a)? What does he do? Who else does what else (verse 3b)? With what outcome? How do riches and honor and life come (Proverbs 22:4, cf. Proverbs 21:21)? What are in the way of the perverse (Proverbs 22:5a)? How does one avoid them (verse 5b)? Who else can be taught to guard his soul (Proverbs 22:6a)? How will someone who has been trained to do this end up (verse 6b)? Who rules over whom (Proverbs 22:7a)? Who else over whom (verse 7b)? What might a man sow (Proverbs 22:8a)? What does he reap? What, of his, fails (verse 8b)? Who will be blessed (Proverbs 22:9a)? Why—what does he do (verse 9b)?

What are true riches? Proverbs 22:1–9 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that what is ultimately valuable to us is the fellowship and favor of God.  

Putting riches in their place. This section, on riches, begins by putting them in their place. A name and good grace are to be chosen above riches, silver, or gold (Proverbs 22:1). Material wealth is means to an end. Being known, particularly by God, and receiving His good grace—these are ends to be pursued by other means.

Putting the rich in their place. The reason that riches must be a means, and not an end, now appears in Proverbs 22:2. They didn’t make us (YHWH did), and they ultimately can’t help us (when we stand before YHWH). Whatever advantage the rich think that they have, they are ultimately in the same place as the poor: they must answer to YHWH, their Maker.

Attaining the true riches. So, whatever riches we are going to have are from YHWH; and, whatever true honor we are going to have, or true life we are going to have, is from YHWH (Proverbs 22:4b). The prudent man, then, is the one who realizes that the Lord is truly ultimate, and that all of life is to be lived before Him (humility), and as unto Him (fear/reverence, verse 4a). He recognizes that the great harm to come is not some avoidable physical or financial catastrophe, but appearing at the judgment without atonement; Proverbs 22:3 addresses ultimate harm, ultimate punishment, not just those that appear in this life.

Employing the “unrighteous mammon” (cf. Luke 16:9). The concluding unit of this section, Proverbs 22:7-9, then addresses what we do with earthly wealth. If we have put riches in their place, and the rich in their place, and this entire life in perspective, then what do we do with our “money”? There is the choice in Proverbs 22:7, where wealth is leveraged to master others; or, there is the choice in Proverbs 22:9, where wealth is leveraged in service of others. But the one who attempts the strategy in Proverbs 22:7 is sowing iniquity, and his leverage will fail him—whether in this life, or more catastrophically, when this life is over. He is not so fearsome as he (or those whom he oppresses) might think (Proverbs 22:8).

Bequeathing children with the greatest treasure. All of this centers (both literally and literarily) on Proverbs 22:5-6. Guarding one’s soul (Proverbs 22:5b) is infinitely more important than accumulating earthly wealth. One must learn to hide himself in the grace of God, and live unto the glory of God, as one who images the good God by doing good to others. This guarding of the soul is “the way” in which a child “should go” (Proverbs 22:6a). And, the reason why the child who has been put into such a way does not depart from it is that this is not a matter of mere training, but a function of divine, saving grace. And once the Lord has begun such a work, it will be brought to completion. 

Our children will find it quite natural to be mercenarily minded in their original nature—to find safety, security, pleasure, and purpose in material things. But if, by the grace of God, they come to find their safety and security in Him through Christ, their pleasure in Him through Christ, and their purpose in Him through Christ, then that grace will never let them depart out of this wonderful way. It is not only when he is old that he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6b); he will walk blessedly in this way, perfectly in this way, forever!

What other things are you tempted to feel safe by? What other things are you tempted to have as pleasures in themselves, apart from God? What other things are you tempted to have as your purpose? What are the competitors to God, in these areas, for your children? How are you warning them of their danger? How are you using His means, in dependence upon His grace, to see Him convert them?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for warning us, in Your Word, about the thorns and snares that would bring us to destruction in the day of judgment. But, thank You all the more for showing us, in Your Word, how we may hide ourselves in Christ. Grant that we, and our children, would do so, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent Who Will Reside?” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace”