Lesson 3: "Covenant" (4 Lessons on the Biblical Priority of Family)

This past Sunday, I was excited to share the stage with Legacy's former pastor, Gene Wilkes, to dialogue about marriage.  We had a blast sharing together, and I look forward to getting to know him deeper and partnering together in ministry in the future.  It was a fun day for Legacy!

Each of us chose non-traditional passages to speak about marriage, and coincidentally, they both reflected the need to die-to-self in the context of marriage.  I looked at John 12:24-31, and how Jesus' own death provided life for others (v24-26), His sacrifice brought God glory (v27-28), and His dying had power over the devil's plans (v31).  These same principles apply to dying-to-self in marriage.  Our sacrifice can bring life to our spouse, it honors God, and it has power beyond satan's attempts to destroy marriages!  Gene focused on Jesus' words in John 15:13-17.

Dialogue after the "Kids React To" video.

Lesson 2: "Legacy" (4 Lessons on the Biblical Priority of Family)

I was so excited to have my dear friend and mentor, Dennis Perry, join me this week to dialogue about parenting.  Rather than focus on a central passage this time, we discussed the ways God uses parenting as sanctification, both for the parent and for the child.  I offered areas of growth parents should focus on in themselves, while Dennis shared wisdom on how to invest well in your kids.

Lesson 1: "Trust" (4 Lessons on the Biblical Priority of Family)

In the beginning there were no family feuds, no marital arguments, no sibling rivalry, no dark family secrets.  Then God created man and woman.  We might be tempted to think that it all went downhill as soon as the marriage was created, it is interesting to note that all was not good even before Adam and Eve were united.  We think of how God said: “it is good” after each point in creation.  But Genesis 2:18 God said:  “It is not good.” And what exactly was not good?  That man was alone.  Even in a perfect world without sin and death, with only communion with God, it was not good for Adam to be isolated…God built humans for relationships…in essence, family.   And after God created Eve for Adam, He said: “It is very good”

Over the next 4 weeks, we’ll get into some details…we’ll look at God’s Word on Parenting, on Marriage, and on Being Single.  This week, we look at one of the most fundamental passages on the family ethic, Psalm 127.