Monday, August 29, 2016

A Call To Students: Are You A Peacemaker In Your Family?



-EVERY FAMILY HAS DYSFUNCTION-
Dysfunction is a simple concept – it means that something isn’t functioning as it should. So think about it, broken people make up every broken family, so every family is dysfunctional. Every family is broken. Still, your family is part of your squad – whether you want to admit it or not! 

-PARENTS ARE BROKEN PEOPLE TOO-
Everyone brings their own personality, brokenness, likes and dislikes into a family. You bring your anger, rage, lust – whatever you’ve got cooking, your parents included. You don’t get to control what family you are in or who your parents are, but you do get to choose how you treat them. Whether you want to be in your family or not, your parents are part of your squad, and we are called to love them like Jesus. 

Families have been broken since the beginning of time. No families are perfect, we’re all dysfunctional, parents are messed up. BUT …
  • We are called to love them. (Mark 12:31)
  • We are called to show them Jesus in our lives. (Matthew 5:13) 
  • We are called to obey our parents.  (Ephesians 6:1-3)
  • We are called to participate in that family and help them flourish.

Lets look at HOW we can flourish in our family

Here’s some good news: I believe you have a role in creating PEACE in your family. I think that each one of us shares the responsibility in this, just like you bring the BAD into the swirling cocktail of your family, you also bring the GOOD. Here’s … 

How You Can Create Peace in Your Family....

Don’t let how you feel determine how you act. 
Your parents or siblings might make you angry, sad, embarrassed BUT they are still your family.

Here are four ways to create peace in your family:

>> Listening creates peace

“… you must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” James 1:19b

>> Generosity creates peace

Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live. Proverbs 15:27

>> Trust creates peace

Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise. Proverbs 11:29

>> Kindness and forgiveness create peace

Commit this verse to memory

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32


Food for Thought - 

What is ONE THING I can do to bring peace to my family?
What type of accountability can I have to be a Peace-Maker?

What is one thing I can do to serve my family this week?

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