Hi friends,
Here’s Sunday’s 15 min sermon.
Thrive Together: Family Matters
Introduction: Exploring Ways to Facilitate Growth Among Family Members
Questions I’m hoping to answer…
What are 3 strategies to strengthen my family?
What are 4 character defects that infect families?
What are some new concepts and thoughts around families?
In today's world, the traditional nuclear family faces various challenges. Easy divorce weakens marital commitment, while technology isolates family members despite being physically close. Dual-income families (Financial struggles) rely on daycare, changing caregiving roles. An anti-family campaign also impacts cultural values. I want to share strategies to strengthen family bonds and build resilience in this changing landscape.
[1Ti 5:8 NLT] 8 But those who won't care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.
[Psa 127:1-5 NLT] 1 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. 2 It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. 3 Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. 4 Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. 5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.
Family Building Big Idea #1- Be a Good Example: Walk it, like you talk it
“Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24 NCV).
[Jhn 13:14-15 NLT] 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
People and often times especially family don’t want to hear a sermon. They want to see Jesus’ example in your life.
One of the markers of True Success according to Rick Warren:
…..having those who know me the best respect and love me the most
and finishing well.”
Family Building Big Idea #2- Curate great conversations
[Deu 6:4-7 NLT] 4 "Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. 5 And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.
Thirty Million Words is a book that explains the importance of language in a child's development. The book outlines ways parents can help their children thrive during the first years of life.
The book discusses the 30 million word gap, which suggests that children up to age 4 from a lower socioeconomic status heard 30 million fewer words than children from a higher socioeconomic status.
Words are like medicine.
[Pro 16:24 NLT] 24 Kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Improved Achievement Test Scores — A University of Illinois study of 120 boys and girls ages 7 to 11 found that children who did well on standard achievement tests were those that had consistent quality meal time with their families.
M.A.T.C.H.
* Meaningful Conversations:
* Advance spiritual growth thru discussions.
* Teach God's commandments everywhere: home, outdoors, bedtime, morning.
* Choose to go beyond routine and foster growth through dialogue.
* Heartfelt talks nourish souls, shaping us into Christ's likeness.
Family Building Big Idea #3- Prayer Power
* [Phl 4:6 NLT] 6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
* [Mar 9:23-24 NLT] 23 "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." 24 The father instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!"
The Warning: The 4 C’s that Hinder Families
* Criticism:- Nagging and condemning are ineffective; focus on desired change.
* Comparison- Comparing uniqueness hampers growth and relationships.
* Complaining- always expressing dissatisfaction, or discontent about various aspects of their lives, situations, or the world around them
* Contentious- Likely to be combative
Remember, cultivating a positive environment is crucial for fostering growth and unity within the church family.
The opening line of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy is "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way".
In essence, happiness has common factors, but unhappiness is unique to each family.
What I want you to pray about and look into:
Multi-Generational Support (one of the secrets to Asian families success)
Seeing your family as a team and business (Trust, LLC)
Map out your family Line (Family Tree)
Create Prayer List (Spreadsheet)
Keep the end in mind: Burial Insurance, Wills and Plans (Live ready to leave)
Create Family Cookbook/ Misc Collections of Writing (Momentos)
Family List of Professionals and Contributors
For Example:
Smith Family
2 Teachers
Business Owner
2 Store Managers
Dental Hygienist
Massage Therapist
Pastor
2 Military Veterans
2 Computer Programmers
Summit Church NYC
* Our Church: An Inter-Dependent Faith Family
- Our church is your faith family, enriching but not replacing your blood relatives. It's a complement.
- **"Empowering You as Salt and Light"**
- We exist to empower you to impact your family as salt and light.
- **"Thinking Long-Term, Reconciling, Building"**
- Challenge: Think beyond today, reconcile differences, and build lasting connections.
- **"Growing Together: The 3 Family Challenge"**
- Challenge: Think Evangelistically: Add 3 new families yearly to our church tribe. Ensuring a thriving legacy if relocation occurs.
Recap:
- **Modeling, Conversations, and Prayers:** Learn through example, engage in meaningful talks, and uplift with prayers.
- **Warnings for Growth:** Avoid the pitfalls of complaining, being contentious, comparison, and criticisms.
Another Warning: Prioritize your walk with God. Don’t make your family your idol or your complete identity.
If you’re like, that was informative content, and want to buy me like 10 cups of coffee, then go ahead :)
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BGpy6TM
