Steve Bartel
Topic: Street Children, Bogata
Main Concepts from the lectures:
There is a difference in a child that is orphaned and one that is fatherless. An orphan is when the parents have died and fatherless is when the father is absent. What I found interesting was how a child being fatherless is amazingly more difficult, then an orphaned child. Let me explain. First, they sometimes don’t even know who their father is or the father will not even acknowledge the child. This brings rejection and confusion to the child, along with abandonment. On the other hand of the orphaned child, they will have closure knowing that they parents are not coming back, so they will not have that confusion and abandonment. One other interesting fact about the fatherless child is that it is pasted down from generation to generation.
Here are a few of the questions that Steve had share with us that the fatherless ask….
There are continual questions about the reasons for father’s absence:
- Why did he leave?
- Who is to blame? Is it I?
- What could I have done better for him not to leave?
- Does he not love us anymore? Am I so bad he doesn’t love me?
- Where is he?
- Does he love another woman? Is he having other children with her?
- What did I do to deserve this?
- Why couldn’t I have a different father?
Why isn’t my father like (names a specific person’s) father
God values family and the importance of a father and mother. This was a very important concept that Steve had shared. I believe that if we would just follow scripture, and show these children how valuable they are to God. All of the points that he brought were out of the bible. So we can’t miss the message that God is sending about family. I would like to share the notes on this which Steve gave us on this matter. I hope you find this information helpful to see what God is telling us!!
Topic: Biblical basis for family, adoption, and fostering
By Steve Bartel
God places a great importance on the “Husband – Wife – Children” family.
Design at creation:
God created male and female in His image and likeness. Genesis 1:27
Man shall leave father and mother and shall cleave to his wife; they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24
Both Mother and Father are essential for conception. Genesis 4:1
Mother AND Father are essential for nurturing as well. The norm: Mother feeds biologically, father feeds financially, both feed spiritually and affectively
First family:
God calls Eve Adam’s “wife.” Genesis 3:17
Mother bears the children, father supports them. Genesis 3:16; 3:19
God demands accountability from family members for others in the family. Genesis 4:9
Natural political division of nations: by language groups and “families.” Genesis 10:5
God’s most important covenant until that time: Abraham
Result: “Families” of the earth shall be blessed Genesis 28:14
Abraham called “Father” of future descendants and nations Genesis 17:5, Isaiah 51:2
Honoring father and mother is commanded:
One of ten commandments, reinforced by Paul. Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:2
Children born to adulterous relationships were cursed in Old Testament
Sons of bastards could not participate freely in Temple worship. Deuteronomy 23: 2
“Father” is an important concept to God
“Father” is used freely to describe God in his relationship to Jesus 2 Peter 1:17
Jesus and the “Father” are one. John 10:30
“Father” is used to describe God in His relationship with us. Matthew 23:9
“Father,” according to Jesus, is God’s favorite title when His disciples address Him in prayer. Matthew 6:9, Luke 11:12
Taking away a child’s father is a curse against an adversary. Psalms 109:9
“Children” is an important concept to God
Children are given by God Genesis 33:5
Having children a sign of God “remembering” a childless wife. Genesis 30:22
Children are a reward and a heritage from God. Psalms 127:3
God’s blessing to Abraham: Descendants shall be like the stars in the sky and as numerous as the sands of the seas. Genesis 22:1
Having children enhanced the position / importance / desirability of a wife towards her husband: Genesis 30:20
The lack of children was
To bear a child was a deep desire of a childless wife. Genesis 30:1, 1 Samuel 1:10-11
Being childless as a wife was an object of scorn by other women: 1 Samuel 1:6
Orphans and fatherless were recognized and taken into protective measures by God
Gleanings were to be given freely to them Leviticus 19:9
They were not to be oppressed. Zechariah 7:10
Their land, inheritance was not to be taken from them. Proverbs 23:10
They were not to be excluded from celebrations and feasts. Deuteronomy 16:14
God places the lonely in families (Psalm 68:5)
Examples of fostering in the Bible
Moses was fostered by Pharoah’s daughter who delegated the fostering to Jochabed. Exodus 2:8
Ishmael was, for thirteen years, socially fostered by Sarah, as Hagar was simply considered a “surrogate” mother. Genesis 16:2
Prince Joash was rescued, hidden, and fostered by Jehosheba and a nanny in the temple for 6 years. 2 Chronicles 22:11
Examples of adoption in the Bible
Moses was adopted by Pharoah’s daughter (Note: Moses was most likely circumcised, clearly defining his biological background… and that made no difference to Pharoah or his daughter) Exodus 2:10, Acts 7:21
Five adopted sons of Michal 2 Samuel 21:8
Esther was adopted by her uncle Mordechai Esther 2:15
We are adopted by God Romans 8:15, 23, Galatians 4:5-6, Ephesians 1:5
We have full rights as adopted children to participate as the heirs Galatians 4:7
Sons / daughters of adulterous relationships were used by God to save his people
Jephthah was shunned by his father’s family but then tapped by them to lead their defense. Judges 11: 1-2
Jesus considered by many to be from questionable roots due to Mary’s virgin pregnancy. Matthew 1:19
One other concept that I found was very significant was to start a ministry with a deeply rooted spiritual foundation. This can be a time of being patient and waiting on the Lord. Then with that the rest comes together. One last thing is that God always stays the center of the ministry. I found this information to be very detrimental, to wherever I will be sent.
I was challenged with some of the stories that Steve shared with us. I guess the realities of the street children really hit me so hard. I could picture them in my mind seeing these little children ages 4and 5 years old out on their own. I want you to think about this for a moment. A child all dirty and barefoot wondering where is my next piece of food going to come from. Alone at night, afraid of what the darkness brings. They don’t know how to stay warm and who to rely on….. It just blows my mind. But then I remember that God loves these children more than I could ever. He will be the one to help me to walk in the way that I need to, so I will be able to make a difference in their lives. I cannot do this without God he must be the foundation!
Did Steve leave me with any unanswered questions?
No, because of what he taught us about having a strong spiritual foundation is the first step to having a successful ministry. I came here with that question of how do I start? So with each new speaker and God’s ministering to me, my questions are being answered.
Blessing,
Linda
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