God and the Family

Matthew 19:4-6

Introduction

The life of families have shifted wildly through the years with the changing of times and cultures.

Some changes are helpful while others are disastrous.

But we have a picture to cling to in the face of ever-changing dynamics.

We want to paint that picture over the course of several lessons and see how vivid that picture really is.

God’s Invention

Understanding what is revealed about marriage in the beginning is fundamental to everything else about the home (Matt. 19:1-6).

This means that the illustrations of marriage and family are not borrowed for Him (Eph. 5:31-32).

It means that all of the inherent elements of marriage were put there by God (1 Cor. 7:1-5).

The story is even told in such a way as to highlight certain elements (Gen. 1:27; 2:18-24).

We have to be careful not to let cultural norms challenge created purpose.

The Proverbial Ideal

The ideal of the home is presented in many ways and needs to be understood in that light.

Marriage is ideal (Gen. 2:18; 1 Tim. 4:3).

Having children is ideal within marriage (Psa. 127:4-5).

There are ideal roles for men and women within the home (1 Tim. 2:15; 5:8).

There are pictures of those ideals carried out (Hos. 1-3; Eph. 5:22-33; Prov. 31:10-31).

The Reality

Marriage is not ideal for every individual (1 Cor. 7:26-27).

Circumstances may hinder us from fulfilling the ideal (1 Sam. 1:9-18).

There are precious few pictures of ideal homes in scripture (1 Pet. 3:6).

And yet, the ideal picture, remains the ideal.

Conclusion

One of the most beautiful pictures of the ideal is that God offers us homes even when the ones we come from are completely broken.

He offers to be the perfect father who prepares for us the perfect marriage and promises life together with the perfect family.

Maybe you have a family that is already a great comfort to you. In your case, God draws on what you already know and says, this is even better.