Biblical Solutions For Broken Hearts and Broken Families

Biblical Solutions For Broken Hearts and Broken Families

Defined By The Bible • There are different words used for “love” • “agape” Ù sacrificial love; love a love for the other’s betterment despite what he/she does in return cp. Jn 3: 16 Rom 5: 8 • “phileo” Ù tender affection; affection the more emotional display of love cp. Mt 10: 37

Defined By The Bible • There are different words used for “love” • “eros” Ù passionate love; love often used re: sensual or sexual love cp. Prov 7: 18 [Septuagint] • “storge” Ù love of kindred; kindred often termed “family love” cp. Rom 1: 31 2 Tim 3: 3

Depicted By The Ungodly • This has been observed both inside & outside the Bible • Secularly Susan Smith drowned her 2 young sons because they were in the way of her fornication • Biblically Athaliah 2 Kings 11: 1 -3

Depicted By The Ungodly • From Rom 1: 31 & 2 Tim 3: 3, we learn… • …those who practice and approve of such are worthy of death Rom 1: 31 • …such behavior indicates perilous times 2 Tim 3: 1 • …such behavior is “folly” that only

Defeated By Godliness Through affectionate nurturing • In a cold & heartless world, godly parents build safe homes through “natural affection” • Nothing is more “natural” than for Dad & Mom to shower their children with innocent and purposeful affection without bias, favoritism cp. Gen 25: 27 -28 29: 30 37: 3 -4, 20

Defeated By Godliness Through affectionate nurturing • In a cold & heartless world, godly parents build safe homes through “natural affection” • If Dads & Moms fail to show their children the “natural affection” they crave and deserve, it will oftentimes be sought out at other less-thanhonorable cp. 1 within Cor 7: 1 -5 Apply theplaces principle found this passage

Defeated By Godliness Through affectionate nurturing • In a cold & heartless world, godly parents build safe homes through “natural affection” • Dad & Mom are a team…must work together Gen • God has empowered us with unique 3: 16, talents 17 -19 • Fathers Ù task oriented

Defeated By Godliness Through affectionate nurturing • In a cold & heartless world, godly parents build safe homes through “natural affection” • Fathers… our wives can be a great help to us • They were given to us by God to make us complete Gen 2: 18 • Through their strengths, they can help us fulfill our God-given commands cp.

Defeated By Godliness Through principled instruction • Not just discussing “affection” (X’s & O’s) • Our purpose is nurturing, guiding, training, developing godly character • This means teaching our children • Consider the example of Abraham Gen 18: 19

Defeated By Godliness Through principled instruction • Like our ancient predecessors, we must look for “life’s teachable moments” to instruct our children cp. Deut 6: 4 -9 • We are so commanded under our covenant today Eph 6: 4 • It is one way in which we “nurture” our children

Defeated By Godliness Through “tough love” when necessary • Sometimes “natural affection” isn’t pleasant • Children misbehave, disobey…need correction • It is the parents’ right and responsibility to intervene and make those corrections

Defeated By Godliness Through “tough love” when necessary • Sometimes “natural affection” isn’t pleasant • Sadly, some parents don’t believe in spanking disobedient children • Tragically, some of these parents are Christians • Certainly, such a view does not agree

Defeated By Godliness Through “tough love” when necessary • Sometimes “natural affection” isn’t pleasant • God’s proverbial wisdom refutes the nonsensical theory “I love my children too much to spank them!” cp. Prov 13: 24 • If parents do not restrain disobedient

Defeated By Godliness Through “tough love” when necessary • We need to view child-rearing as a “process” • A time-consuming “process” that will at times involve discipline • In this “process” there is plenty of time for our children to understand… …the ground rules explained to them

Defeated By Godliness Through “tough love” when necessary • We need to view child-rearing as a “process” • A time-consuming “process” that will at times involve discipline • In this “process” there is plenty of time for our children to understand… …the reasons we (their parents) have

Defeated By Godliness Through “tough love” when necessary • We need to view child-rearing as a “process” • A time-consuming “process” that will at times involve discipline • In this “process” there is plenty of time for our children to understand… …the serious consequences for their

Defeated By Godliness Through “tough love” when necessary • We need to view child-rearing as a “process” • A time-consuming “process” that will at times involve discipline • The keys in this “process” are CONSISTENCY and FAIRNESS

Some Closing Thoughts… • God is the ultimate “Family Planner” • As the Father, He brings the bride to her husband Gen 2: 21 -24 • As the Giver of all life, He blesses a couple with children Psa 127: 3, 5 a • As such, He is the One who decides how a family should behave

Some Closing Thoughts… • God is the ultimate “Family Planner” • What we do with our family in this life is our concern • Especially re: our children • They need affection, teaching, and at times discipline

Some Closing Thoughts… • Giving our children “natural affection” will help protect them from an unloving and uncaring world • It will also help prepare them for a future spiritual relationship with God through Christ