parenting isn’t for sissies - part 3
“strong marriage,strong family”

the big idea:
Strong families start with strong marriages.

some challenges parents face:

• when children are born, identities can shift
• it’s easy to forget what our kids really need
• we feel too busy already; we don’t have the time or energy to invest in keeping our marriage healthy
• dysfunctional marital dynamics can be easily ignored by “focusing on the kids”

what the Bible says about this:

Malachi 2:14-16 NLT
“…the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.
Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. ‘For I hate divorce!’ says the Lord, the God of Israel. ‘To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. ‘So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.’”

1 Corinthians 7:12-13 CEV
“If a Christian man has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her. And if a Christian woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him.

Colossians 3:18-20 CEV
“A wife must put her husband first. This is her duty as a follower of the Lord.
A husband must love his wife and not abuse her.
Children must always obey their parents. This pleases the Lord.”

making our marriages stronger:

1. Stop. Put the kids on pause for a moment, so that you can focus on the marriage.

2. Sit down and talk. Take inventory of your marriage…

Q. What are the strengths of our marriage?
Q. Are there any problem areas in our relationship? Areas of tension, or woundedness?
Q. Are there any things left undone, unsaid, unaddressed?
Q. Are there adjustments we could make to improve the overall health of our marriage and family?

3. Take further steps, together.

• “Focus on Marriage” simulcast conference, February 27, at Bible Fellowship Church. For more info visit www.ccn.tv/focusonmarriage
  
• Coastal Counselling Services 604-584-4112