"Everyone then who hears these words of [Christ] and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." - Matthew 7:24-25
Hi Discovery,
We're half way through our May series on Forging Strong Families, and so far we've been laying out our theology of marriage and family based on God's Word. We are now ready to get extremely practical the next three weeks as we discuss:
Sunday, May 16 - Forging Strong Faith
Sunday, May 23 - Forging Strong Children
Sunday, May 30 - Forging Families Together
But before we continue on, I want to encourage you and your spouse to do your "home"work. Take the Scriptures and lessons we've discussed the past two weeks from Genesis 1-3 and Ephesians 5:22-33, sit down at your table or go for a walk together, and discuss God's design for you in marriage. If you are not on the same page on this, the practical things we continue to discuss will lack Christ's power to transform your life, your marriage and your family.
Specifically, I encourage you to read through Ephesians 5:22-33 together and pick up the questions Dave Goffeney gave us this past Sunday:
1. Wives, ask your husbands: Does the way I live spur you on as a leader, and empower you to live out the charge God has given you? Do you feel empowered or competed with by me?
2. Husbands, ask your wives: Does the way I live spur you on in your relationship to God and give you a sense of confidence in His provision for you? Do you feel cared for and built up, or dominated and used?
Go ahead, quit looking at this computer screen, and go have some time with your husband or wife.
One final thing... I want to acknowledge that many of you hearing these sermons and reading my emails are in the midst of some real struggles in your life and marriage. Many of you have faced the consequences of this broken world and sinful men and women. I want you to know that you are heavy on my heart and mind in the midst of this series, and specifically as I prepare for this Sunday's message on Forging Strong Faith. No matter where you have been, God has a plan for you as you seek Christ. I'm praying for you.
See you Sunday!
-John
