|
|
Better Homes & Marriages Introduction: Everyone knows the numbers; half of all marriages end in divorce, half the rest are unhappy. Infidelity occurs, periods of separation, fight and fusses, are some of the common problems in marriages. In the "Bible Belt" the divorce rate is higher than the rest of the country. That is due to people in the rest of the country not bothering to get married. Christians are not immune to family problems. What are some things we can do to make our marriages and homes better? I) Pray, 1 Thess. 5.17A) There are times and events for prayer 1. Celebrations, anniversaries, weddings; we need to thank God for the blessings we have received. 2. Times of distress and grief; death, sickness, anger, to name a few. These are times we need God’s help and strength. Matthew 26.38 B) What good will it do in our families? 1. To pray to God we must acknowledge the will of God, Matthew 26.39 2. We must realize our part in obeying God’s will, 1 Peter 3.7 II) Bible Study A) Marriage is defined by God 1. Society has tried to redefine marriage, and its responsibilities a. Many marriages have problems with the role of the husband and wife. b. The Bible does not tell you who is going to take out the trash but it will tell you how to conduct yourself and how you should decided who will take out the trash. 2. Obedience and love are part of the marriage as defined by God, Colossians 3.18-19 a. Young people need to be taught, 1 Corinthians 7.2 B) Questions often solved and problems avoided when everyone looks at what the Bible teaches. 1. Women working outside the home, finances, in-laws, etc. 2. How to discipline children and roles in child rearing, Ephesians 6.4 III) Make Your Family a Priority A) Your first priority is serving God. Ecc. 12.131. The family does not come before God. 2. By serving God you will be a better husband, wife, father, mother, son in-law, daughter in-law, etc. B) Spend time with your family 1. In many homes the husband and wife are too independent of each other. 2. Their children are strangers that they only spend time with on vacations or while taking to a ballgame. a. Rodney Milsap, "There’s a Stranger In My House" 3. How? Talk, recreation, work, worship C) This will require cutting out the externals, Genesis 2.241. Do not allow guy friends and girls friends to take the place of your spouse 2. Our children have been our hobby. D) Give your family your best 1. Make time to worship together, singing, reading, Deut. 6.4-9 IV) Handle Problems Constructively A) The world says: 1. Quit, trade in your mate for a new one, go and tell everyone else 2. Cop out and blame everybody else, run away, etc. 3. Conflict avoidance is a danger signal for marriages in trouble. B) The Bible says: 1. Speak to the one involved, James 1.19 2. Admit your faults, James 5.16 and forgive C) Adjust your goals, become one flesh, Matthew 12.25 1. Agree to your goals and work together V) Consider the Needs of Each Other A) The sexual needs, 1 Corinthians 7.4 1. In many situations there is not an "innocent party" B) This of the social needs, companionship, be a helper to each other 1. A mother needs to have a conversation with an adult; go shopping C) Emotional needs D) Physical needs, 1 Peter 3.1,7-9 Conclusion: Good homes are not by accident but design. My parents built their house about 22 years ago. Recently they had some new flooring put in. They discovered rotten wood around an outside door. The door was not put in correctly and it allowed water in around it. Over the years the wood had rotted and had to be replaced. Over the years marriages can deteriorate if we allow things to eat away at it. The best is to keep it healthy by being observant every day. –Dennis Tucker D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 05.06.07 |