_Plain.jpg/:/cr=t:5.56%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:88.89%25/rs=w:1209,h:605,cg:true)
SPRING 2023 - Family: Why Does it Matter?
April 16 - May 31, 2023
April 16 – May 31, 2023
Family: Why Does It Matter?
Core Text: John 1:12-13
Why do some folks place so much emphasis on family? Why is it so important? Families can be filled so much pain and brokenness. And what actually is meant by “family”? Can we define our own families? Is there supposed to be some kind of “normal” family?
We will use the Spring season to address the Biblical teachings about family. The family is God’s idea in the first place. Jesus, Himself, was born into a family! We will take advantage of the holidays and rites of passage in the Spring that afford us the opportunity to focus on families.
April 16, 2023: The Family is God’s Idea!
In the very beginning of the human story, God decided to create the family. In His wisdom, He designed us with both the need for and the capability of intimate relationships that begin in a family setting. All humans begin life in the context of human intimacy. Life begins in the womb of a mother. We are born in an absolutely dependent state. We must be nurtured and fed to survive. Our physical, social, relational, emotional, and spiritual needs are on full display and can best be met in the context of our family. Beautiful.
Daily Bible Readings
April 17: Genesis 1:1-2:3
April 18: Genesis 2:4-25
April 19: Psalm 68:1-6
April 20: Psalm 103
April 21: Psalm 127
April 22: Re-Flection
April 23, 2023: I Do! . . . We Do!
There are many helpful images used to help us understand marriage. From a Biblical perspective, we learn that marriage is a covenantal relationship. Marriage is used in the Bible to both depict the relationship between God and Israel – and between Jesus and the Church. Marriage is the foundational relationship in human society. Consequently, it is an institution worth honoring, protecting, and preserving.
Daily Bible Readings
April 24: Revelation 19:1-10
April 25: Revelation 21
April 26: Mark 2:1-22
April 27: Ephesians 5:1-20
April 28: Ephesians 5:21-33
April 29: Re-Flection
April 30, 2023: Parents: You Must . . . Parent!
By God’s divine design, children are born to . . . parents! Parents are responsible for the well-being of their children. Parenting is not optional! No one else has been called to parent our children but parents. It is a God-given privilege and responsibility. Parents play a unique role in the life of each child.
Daily Bible Readings
May 1: Ephesians 6:1-4
May 2: Proverbs 22
May 3: Deuteronomy 6:1-9
May 4: Proverbs 29
May 5: Hebrews 12:4-13
May 6: Re-Flection
May 7, 2023: Family Life: Anger Management
Family life is . . . real! We live in real families! We develop helpful life skills in our families. One of the realities of human existence is that we both feel and express anger. We have disagreements and conflict. We get mad. However, we must resist the recurring temptation to always get even! Families are great laboratories for learning how to feel and express our feelings in responsible, productive, and redemptive ways.
Daily Bible Readings
May 8: Ephesians 1
May 9: Ephesians 2
May 10: Ephesians 3:1-13
May 11: Ephesians 3:14-21
May 12: Ephesians 4
May 13: Re-Flection
May 14, 2023: Stress Doesn’t Have to Fracture Families!
Mother’s Day
We live fast-paced lives in the 21st century metroplex. We know that all manner of factors contributes to the stress experienced in families. However, our families don’t have to be fractured by those stressors. In fact, the family can be a shock absorber for life! We can help each other in our families manage stress and anxiety. God’s presence, power, and peace can all be experienced in our families!
Daily Bible Readings
May 15: Philippians 1:1-26
May 16: Philippians 1:27-2:11
May 17: Philippians 2:12-30
May 18: Philippians 3
May 19: Philippians 4
May 20: Re-Flection
May 21, 2023: Friends and Framilies!
We live in a fairly mobile society. Unlike eras gone by, many people live a significant portion of their lives away from their biological families. Deep friendships --- especially in and through the church can serve as familial contexts for believers. The family of God is exactly that – a family! God can use the deep and healthy relationships with friends to create a . . . framily!
Daily Bible Readings
May 22: Ecclesiastes 4:1-12
May 23: Proverbs 17
May 24: Proverbs 18
May 25: Proverbs 27
May 26: Colossians 3:1-17
May 27: Re-Flection
May 28, 2023: The Family Will Survive!
The family will survive! It is God’ idea! He created this beautiful reality for human beings. He has placed His hand of blessing on the family. It is the oldest institution on earth! God has uniquely designed us to live in families. We must do our best to strengthen and steward this beautiful gift from God!
Daily Bible Readings
May 29: Genesis 2
May 30: 1 Corinthians 13
May 31: Joshua 24:1-15