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INTRODUCTION
1) What are you greatest strengths and weaknesses in your relationships with your family?
Some answer:
Strengths
Weaknesses
a) cheerful a) irresponsible
b) loving b) disrespectful
c) affectionate c) independent
Proverbs 23:22-26
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.
24 The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.
25 May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!
26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways,
2) What do you think will bring the greatest joy to your parent(s)?
a) listening to them
b) living by the truth
c) changing how you live at home
The goal joy this study is for you to change your dynamics in your relationship with your family. The results will bring greater joy to you family.
1. John 19:25-27
25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,"
27 and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
As Jesus was dying on the cross, what are some words you would use to describe how he looked after his family?
a) compassion
b) love
c) care
Bottom line : if Jesus shows that kind of care for his family, especially making sure his mother was taken care of, while dying on a cross, we need to daily care about our own families by being righteous and loving toward them.
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
Who should you respect?
a) those who work hard
b) Those over you in the lord (Your parents these categories!)
How can you show greater respect for your parent(s)?
a) listen right away
b) obey right away
c) verbally express to them that you love and respect them frequently or write it to them in cards or letters
Bottom line : You've been given so much by your parents. You need to give back by always showing the respect they deserve and God
expects you to have for them.
3. Ephesians 4:29-5:1
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
How do you get along with each sibling? (Go through each one) In your relationship with your sibling(s), what should you get rid of?
a) bitterness
b) rage
c) anger
d) any bad feelings
How should you treat your sibling(s)?
a) with encouragement
b) with kindness
c) with compassion
Bottom line : In God's eyes, there is no such thing as sibling rivalry. You must treat all your physical brothers and sisters with so much love that this love is only surpassed by your love for God and your parents(s).
PERSONAL HEART - CHECK QUESTIONS
a. What needs to change the most in your relationship with your family?
b. How will you go about changing these things starting today?
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Apologize specifically to your sibling(s) about how you've fallen short and express to them how you want to be different.
Write a one- page letter to your parent(s) about how grateful you are for them, and how you will specifically change to show a greater respect for them
a. Ephesians 6:1-2
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise--
b.1 Thessalonians 5:13
Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
Obey, honor and hold them in the highest regard.
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