Home Team: God’s winning strategy for your family!
Scripture Lesson for the Day: Malachi 2:15-16 and other selected Bible Passages
Do you have a winning strategy for your family life?
Strategy #1: Strive to understand one another!
“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life” (1 Peter 3:7a, NLT).
What does it mean to really understand another person?
“Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19, NLT)
Strategy #2: Keep your commitments to one another!
“So when you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, For God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, NLT).
“Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people”
(Proverbs 3:3-4, The Message).
Key Understanding: Keeping our commitments builds trust and trust is the key to building healthy relationships in your family!
Strategy #3: Show respect or honor to each family member!
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other”
(Romans 12:10, NLT).
How can we show that we are respecting or honoring the people in our family relationships?
- We honor our family members when we respect their time.
- We honor our family members when we respect their property.
- We honor our family members when we respect their privacy.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3, NIV).
Strategy #4: Regularly affirm one another!
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing”
(1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV).
How can we affirm one another in our homes?
- Offer an encouraging smile.
- Utter life building words.
- Accentuate the positive.
- Give thoughtful and well timed gifts.
Strategy #5: Always be willing to reconcile whatever it takes!
To reconcile means to bring into harmony. (Webster’s New World Dictionary)
“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible. Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God…” (Romans 12:17-19a, NLT).
“…So always do these things: Show mercy to others, be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Get along with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. Do all these things; but most important, love each other. Love is what holds you all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12b-14, NCV).
Closing Challenge: Are you willing to apply God’s winning strategy with your family? If so, you will build relationships that will last a lifetime no matter what comes your way!
|
