Creating a Strong Family Identity

Pastor Reb Bradley

I. Signs of a weak family identity

Everybody does their own thing -- going different directions

Children are annoyed at having to be with family

They prefer friends or outside activities -- anywhere but home

They are embarrassed to be seen in public with parents

They dread being seen caring for younger siblings

They can't wait to move out some day

They demonstrate contempt for parental authority

Teens become increasingly alienated as they grow older

Constant sibling rivalry -- cutting down one another (love protects)

II. Characteristics of a strong family identity

Eph 5:8,1; Phil 2:15; 1 Pet 1:14; 1 John 3:10 --

III. What a strong family identity is NOT

A. Strong in _________________

B. Independent from all ______________

C. ____________oriented family

IV. The path to a strong family identity

A. THE PREMISE: They are looking for ___________________

Establish their ___________________

1 Sam 8:5,19-20

Deut 12:3; 2 Kings 17:15

Ex 23:2; Rom 12:2

B. Formally establish family _______________________

Eph 5:8,1; Phil 2:15; 1 Pet 1:14; 1 John 3:10

C. Need clearly defined ___________________________

Eph 5:22-33; 6:1-6; 1 Cor 7

1. 1 Cor 12:14-27 Must see themselves as _______________________________

a. Need to be an _________________ part of family

b. Live for the ___________________ agenda

c. Need daily ___________________

2. Teams have clearly __________________

a. Mat 22:36-37; Eph 5:10; 2 Cor 5:9; Col 1:10 ___________________

b. Mat 22:39; 1 Tim 1:5 ___________________

1.) Gal 5:13-15 ____________________

2.) Col 3:14; Eph 4:3 ____________________

l 1 Pet 5:8; Eph 6:11; 2 Cor 2:11; 2 Tim 2:26 Common enemy ________________

c. Gal 4:19; Eph 4:13-16 Grow in ____________________________

D. 1 Tim 3:4-5; 1 Sam 3:13 Establish ______________________ early in life

E. Do _________________ activities and __________________ as a family

F. Luke 15:28-32 Minimize ___________________ activity

G. Create an identity ____________________ your family

H. Cultivate ____________________________

I. Keep _________________________ open

J. ________________affection

V. Rescuing a disintegrating family

A. Be alert -- watch for signs of ___________________

B. Pull in the ___________________when necessary

C. Call a __________________

1. Confess ________________

2. Explain what will be ___________________