God's Masterplan for the Family - Outline

I. Introduction

A. Objectives

B. Definitions

C. Foundations

E. Final Warning

II. God's design for marriage

A. The creation story

B. God's purpose for marriage

C. The role of husbands and wives

III. Love and commitment in marriage

A. Love as a commandment

B. Biblical examples of love in marriage

C. The importance of commitment in marriage

IV. Communication in marriage

A. Listening and understanding

B. Speaking with kindness and respect

C. Conflict resolution

V. Roles and responsibilities in marriage

A. Biblical roles of husbands

B. Biblical roles of wives

C. Shared responsibilities in marriage

VI. Sexual intimacy in marriage

A. God's design for sex

B. The importance of purity

C. The role of sex in a healthy marriage

VII. The importance of forgiveness

A. Forgiveness as a commandment

B. The power of forgiveness in marriage

C. Examples of forgiveness in the Bible

VIII. Conclusion

A. Recap of Christian principles in marriage

B. Encouragement to apply these principles

C. Prayer for couples and marriages

OBJECTIVES

A. TO UNDERSTAND GOD'S PLAN FOR YOUR

FAMILY AND YOUR ROLE IN YOUR FAMILY.

B. TO IMPROVE FAMILY LIFE.

C. TO PREVENT DISASTROUS FAMILY PROBLEMS

Definitions

Family - A family is a group of two or more persons related by birth, marriage, or adoption who live together; (Health Resources and Services Administration)

husband and wife make a family

husband and wife and child(ren) make a family

single parent and child(ren) make a family

parents by blood, marriage (step-parents), adoption (formal or informal like cousin Mordecai took in his younger cousin Esther)

it’s ok to be single. Benefits:

Foundation

The Bible: instructions in the Bible, principles in the Bible, stories in the Bible

Science - science is a study of what God’s designs, and when done right it is very helpful, when done wrong (flat earth) very harmful

Common Experiences: we all share

in that order!

Final Warning

using generalities - most common, most likely

not outliers, fringe situations (those can be discussed)

we start using outliers when someone tells the truth and we don’t like it

but what about the . . .

one time I heard of a man who . . .

ex. most men are physically stronger than women (science)

don’t bring up the 6 ft 3 in, 275 lb woman who is an olympic weight lifting champion