God’s Plan for Families
Are our families passing the tests which perennially and predictably challenge family life? Are our households experiencing further acerbating issues due to conditions inherent to the pandemic? God’s Word gives us guidance for fortifying families and empowerment for revitalizing households. Our families are at their best when we have Godly family structures, harmony in the house and clear understanding of God’s plan for marriage.
Godly family structures create order which facilitates effective functionality in the family. The husband, as head of the family, the wife as his well-suited helper and children who honor their parents cause the family to prosper in many ways. God’s family structure is as clear in scriptures as His structure for the church (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:22-29). Thank God for Godly family structures.
Harmony in the house facilitates the ability of each family member – father, mother and children, to carry out their respective roles and respond to one another in constructive and amicable ways. Harmonious households serve to humble those who lead and strengthen those who follow (Ephesians 5:22-29; 6:1-3). Well-tuned households resonate with the values which God expects of His divine household – His church. Thank God for harmony in the house.
Understanding God’s plan for marriage provides direction for those who choose to marry. It entails His original plan for “a man to leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife” (Genesis 2:24). It includes God’s guidance for what to do when marriages fail (I Corinthians 7). Only by understanding God’s plan for marriage are we likely to choose a spouse, guard our marriages and respond appropriately when our marriages are threatened. Thank God for His Word which helps us understand His plan for marriage.
I have prepared three sermons which are designed to strengthen our families. We will learn more about the importance of Godly family structures, the effects of harmony in the house and the facts of God’s plan for marriage. May God bless our families. May God bless the Schrader Lane Church of Christ.