Building Bridges- Learn three characteristics of a successful family. An invitation to BELONG.

2. Malachi 2:14 You ask, “Why?” It is
because the LORD is the witness
between you and the wife of your
youth. You have been unfaithful to
her, though she is your partner, the
wife of your marriage covenant.

3. Marriage is important because family
relationships are important:
1. In the beginning: Created man and woman.
2. Kingdom of heaven- like a wedding feast
3. First miracle- in a wedding.
4. Illustration of our relationship with God- a
marriage.
5. In the new earth- marriage feast.

4. Yet, families are in trouble.
Divorce:
The divorce rate in America
for first marriage is 41%,
second marriage is 60%,
third is 73%.

5. Abuse
In 2009, approximately 3.3 million child abuse
reports, an estimated 6 million children.
Abandonment
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services states, "Fatherless children are at a
dramatically greater risk of drug and alcohol
abuse."

6. A. From conflict
to complement.

7. Romans 12:16 “Live in
harmony with each other.
Don’t be too proud to enjoy
the company of ordinary
people. And don’t think you
know it all! ”

8. We are different in three areas:
1.How we relate to each other.
Introvert-Extrovert

9. 2. How we see life.
Spontaneous- Systematic

10. 3. How we make decisions.
Facts- feelings

11. B. From selfish
to selfless.

12. Romans 12:10 Be devoted to
one another in love. Honor one
another above yourselves.

13. It is well to remember that the
entire population of the universe,
with one trifling exception, is
composed of others.
Andrew J. Holmes

14. At the root of every sinful act,
every hurtful word, every
inappropriate thought lies one
common denominator:
Selfishness.

15. God calls us to selflessness, the act of sacrificing
one’s own interest for the greater good.
1.Before marriage: “Scientists find that cohabitation
cuts down on commitment. The message of living
together is "I'd really like to take just a part of you right
now, maybe sometime later I'd take every part of you".
The relationship DEFINES itself by a holding back of
total commitment.
(The Ring Makes All The Difference)

16. 2. During marriage:
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be
honored by all, and the marriage bed
kept pure, for God will judge the
adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

17. Steering Clear, p. 31-34:
a.Basic Selfishness
b. Living in fantasy.
c.Boredom and lack of purpose.
d.High risk takers.
e. What I have is not enough.
f. Soft on yourself and hard on others.
g. Pride and low self-esteem: a paradox.

18. C. From crisis
to Christ.

19. *Tamar-had issues with in-laws, no
luck in marriage.
*Rahab- was a prostitute.
*Ruth- immigrant, widow.
*Manasseh- blood-thirsty king.
*Jacob- deceived his own father.
*His family called him crazy. Did not
believe in Him.

20. Which teaches us two
things:
1. Jesus’ family had issues
you can relate to.

21. 2. Jesus’ family had issues
they needed to be redeemed
from.

22. Acts 16:29 The jailer called for lights and ran
to the dungeon and fell down trembling
before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought
them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to
be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the
Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with
everyone in your household.” 32 And they
shared the word of the Lord with him and with
all who lived in his household.

23. Acts 16:33 Even at that hour of the
night, the jailer cared for them and
washed their wounds. Then he and
everyone in his household were
immediately baptized. 34 He brought
them into his house and set a meal
before them, and he and his entire
household rejoiced because they all
believed in God.