I.    Introduction
      A.  One of the great natural resources we have in this country is strong, healthy families.
           1.  Negative trends are certainly in evidence, based on news anecdotes.
           2.  Thankfully, we continue to benefit from a significant number of strong homes.
      B.  All of us want strong families, but how?
           1.  When it comes to our families, and our place in them, I doubt that many feel like experts.
           2.  Each of us realizes we make mistakes in our family relationships.
           3.  Sometimes we know when and why we fail; sometimes we are at a loss.
      C.  The Bible has answers
           1.  God’s word remains the blueprint for better families.
           2.  What then, does the Bible say about making better families?
      D.  The Bible gives commands concerning family roles.
           1.  It speaks to the husband-wife relationship – the core relationship in the family
           2.  It speaks to the parent-child relationship – a critical relationship in development of young
II.   The Marital Relationship
      A.  Husbands: Love (Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33)
           1.  Cherish as own body, willing to give life
           2.  Christ-like love.
      B.  Wives: Submit, respect (Ephesians 5:22, 33)
           1.  Difference in authority, not in worth
           2.  Just as his love is essential to this arrangement being right, her respect is as well.
      C.  Emerson Eggrich’s book Love and Respect: “Crazy Cycle” vs. “Energizing Cycle”
III.  The Parent-Child Relationship
      A.  Fathers: Don’t provoke, bring them up in discipline, instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4)
           1.  Dads are trivialized, minimized in pop culture, psychology.
           2.  Fathers do have a recognized authority
           3.  This command brilliantly upholds that authority, while guiding its use (Hebrews 12:6-11)
           4.  Fathers are to model leadership, responsibility to provide (I Timothy 5:8)
           5.  The father-child relationship goes hand in hand with the Heavenly Father-spiritual child
                relationship.
      B.  Mothers: Love (Titus 2:4)
           1.  Naturally family-focused, but may need direction, help applying.
           2.  The Bible speaks to those who can address those concerns
      C.  Children: Obey, Honor (Ephesians 6:1-2; Exodus 20:12; Colossians 3:20)
           1.  This is an essential quality for a satisfying and healthy family – and is in decline.
           2.  Respect for authority is learned in the home.
           3.  A healthy respect for authority makes well-balanced, mature adults.
           4.  II TImothy 3:1-5
IV.  Conclusion
      A.  Next week we will look further at relationships.
      B.  Through the gospel Jesus invites us to be part of His spiritual family.

May 31, 2009
Glenn Record