Building families that last
Building families that last
Keys to building a family that lasts
Remember the Brady bunch – great TV but hard to live up to in real life
They go through great drama’s of life and then work it all out by the end of the show
Real life families take a bit more working to get right – but it can be done and you can build a family that lasts
1. Create an atmosphere of love
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Tell your family you love them every day – tell each other
They need your positive affirmation in their lives – Families thrive with an atmosphere of love
2. Pray for your family everyday
James 5: 16 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective
Cover your family in prayer – place your family in the hands of God
I pray for my family everyday
God knows how to make families work – He is the architect of the family concept
If you need something to happen in your family – begin to pray
3. Get your family into the presence of God
Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
What is the priority you are setting for your kids – they will do what you do
The best thing my parents did for me was have me in church every weekend of my childhood
I had an encounter with God as a 4 year old under the seats in a Sunday night service
That’s why God wants us meeting together
4. Teach your children well
Teach your family about the things of God
Proverbs 22: 6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
In the home – read the word to your kids –teach them God’s ways –demonstrate God’s ways
5. Speak words of life
Proverbs 18:21The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
You are the most important voice in your child’s lives after God – so make your words count
Speak words of life into your kids!
Let your words be words of healing in your family – your words can create life or tear down
My boys – determined to say something positive over them every day of their lives
6. Believe in each other
Everyone needs someone to believe in them
Belief is an amazing thing Mark 9: 23 All things are possible for those who believe
Dad’s – for your boys – it has to be you to believe in your boys
Believe in each other – be each others cheerleader
7. Don’t give up on your family – it’s the only one you have
1 Corinthians 13:7Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance
This is a throw away generation – When things don’t work we toss them out
Including friendships, marriages and families
You lose your family and you lose a lot
People give up too soon – Don’t give up on your family
Have a great marriage
God is into marriage – he created it – he believes in it and when it’s done his way it can work and you can have a great marriage
Matthew 19: 5 & 6 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together let no one separate.
Keys to having a great marriage
1. Marry someone great
Marry someone you can get along with – it’s a long journey, you need someone that you can go the distance with
One of the best decisions of my life without a doubt was to marry Fiona
2. Put God first
Matthew 6: 33 Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well
So many marriages get off to the wrong start – by putting all their focus on each other
If you want a successful marriage with God’s blessing on it – put God first
3. Have a long term view
You said – for better or worse or richer or poorer, in sickness & in health to death do us part
Honor the vows you have made to each other – don’t quit so easily
Plan to make it work for life
4. Understand the power of agreement
As soon as you agree it has power – The place of unity is the place of power
Don’t ever agree with a negative statement
Agree on God’s promises – agree on the future
5. Have some fun together
Marriage is meant to be fun
What are things that you love to do together?
Having fun together reminds you why you are together
6. Look at the positives
Always try to look at the positives in your marriage
What can you be thankful for? Each other, your kids, house, your purpose together
Here is one great thing – You have each other!
Ecclesiastes 4:9
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
7. Keep working on it
Marriage is not an institution – it is an art form – you can practice and get better
Don’t let bitterness and resentment grow – Practice forgiveness & forgetfulness
Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you
8. The God factor – God can help every marriage
1 Corinthians 13:7Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance
Don’t forget the power of God
God is seriously into family and sent Jesus into the world to win the power over sin and death
There is no relationship that cannot be redeemed
So come to God with a humble heart, give each other some room to grow and develop and begin to practice the art of marriage!
