Christ-centred families in the 21st Century

1. First things first

3 Habits of Effective People

• 1 Being proactive – about choice.

• 2 Beginning with the End in Mind– about vision.

• 3 Put First Things First – Making choices based on your vision

Who responded to the survey?

Marital status

Ingredients of a successful marriage

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A faith that works

• My faith has helped me keep things in perspective. There have been many circumstances in life of change and I think my belief that God has a plan and a design for my life encourages me during difficult times.

• At times, I have struggled with what has felt like my faith "restricting" my choices, but ultimately I know that everything is about choice and my love for Christ and knowing that God knows what I need and what is the best circumstance for me, helps me to know that wherever life has led me is for a reason.

What is truly important

• My faith is the only thing that I can fully rely on.

• Faith keeps everything in perspective by allowing you to constantly reassess what is truly important in life.

Direction and values• My faith has brought me my husband. • Our faith has given us a direction and values in

common as an anchor that no change in life circumstances or interests can sway.

• Our faith has given us a selfless purpose that helps us rise above our selfish wishes and actions, to rise to a better way of living and being.

• Our faith keeps us from actions and words that would irreparably damage our relationship.

• Our faith gives us a hope beyond the fears of this world

Habit 7: Sharpening the sword

Mental: Learning, reading, writing, and teaching ‘Transformed by the renewing of your mind’

Spiritual: Prayer, worship Praise – Psalm 19, Psalm 150 ‘Recreation’ in nature, through music, art

Social/ Emotional:

Fellowship – ‘body of Christ’ Emotional needs – Importance of listening

Physical: Bodies - temples to be treated responsibly Bodily exercise of some value... 1 Tim 4:8 Flesh v. Spirit – Gal 6: handling the drives…

Ingredients of a successful marriage

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Daily Bible reading

The sword of the Spirit

• ‘To this man will I look…’ (Is 66:2)• ‘Your word is a light to my path’ (Ps 119:105)• If they speak not ‘according to my word’ (Is 8:20)• The seed is ‘the word of the kingdom’ (Mt 13:19)• ‘Beginning with Moses and all the prophets’ (Lk

24:27)• ‘All Scripture… is profitable… that the man of God

may be complete’ (2 Timothy 3:16,17)• ‘Faith comes by hearing’ (Rom 10:17)

• Having the same faith – ‘Being of one accord, one mind’ (Phil 2:2)• Mutual trust – ‘Love believes all things.. never fails’ (1 Cor 13:7,8)• Attendance at meetings – ‘Not forsaking the assembling’ (Heb 10:25)• Being good friends – ‘Have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a

tender heart’ (1 Pet 3:8) • Openness about finances ‘Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the

lips’ (Prov 24:26)• Understanding differences – ‘In honour preferring one another’ (Rom

12:10)• Praying together – ‘Heirs together of the grace of life – that your

prayers be not hindered’ (1 Pet 3:7)• A good physical relationship – ‘At our gates are all manner of fruits,

new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved’ (Song 7:13)• Having a home to live in together – Isaac brought Rebekah into the tent

‘and she became his wife’ (Gen 24:67)• Common interests – Aquila and Priscilla ‘were tentmakers’ (Acts 18:3)• Sharing household tasks – ‘Wash one another’s feet’ (John 13:14)• Children – ‘An heritage from the Lord’ (Ps 127:3)• Close contact with parents – ‘Honour thy father and mother’ (Ex 20:12)

First the seed

• Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

• Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear…

• … and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. – James 1:18-21