March 1st & 5th
Saving Family
Dan Metteer
“May the God of peace…equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
—Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)
Family is our first place of ministry.
What determines the culture of our family?
1. Hardships—Where do we turn in times of crisis?
2. Stories—What do we remember and celebrate?
3. Priorities—What do we sacrifice for?
Where do we turn in times of crisis?
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
—Matthew 7:24-29
- The storm blows on both houses.
- Jesus chooses a house to represent our lives.
- It’s never too late to start building on the right foundation.
What do we remember and celebrate?
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
—Deuteronomy 6:4-9
When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
—Deuteronomy 6:10-12
When a family prays together, they see miracles together.
What do we sacrifice for?
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
—Ephesians 6:1,4
It is never too late to go the right direction.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
—Romans 8:28 (NIV)
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Next Steps:
1. Today, I invite Jesus in my life for the first time.
2. I realize I am heading down the wrong path, and I want to turn around and go the right direction.
3. I want Jesus to be at the center of my family.
4. I want to start praying together with my family.