1. Families are in Trouble The Divine ideals for marriage and family are scarcely evident Changes in the world brought about significant social changes:

Social Changes Affecting Marriage and Family Attitudes toward marriage Marriage is changing from a lifelong commitment to a less permanent contractual arrangement based on personal fulfillment

Role Conflicts * Working wives outside the home requires change of roles and responsibilities * The need for a more flexible role structure is a source of considerable stress

Financial Pressures * Rising costs of living and the desire for material possessions have driven many to search for: better wages additional jobs more education overextend credit

Sexual Revolution * Traditional mores concerning sexuality have been eroded (e.g. cohabitation) * Homosexual as well as premarital and extramarital sexual experiences are common

Parenting Inadequacy * Parents are involved with pressures and responsibilities of work that result in: --little time with their children --little opportunity for meaningful relationships

Family Violence * All family members—husbands, wives, parents, grandparents and children—are victimized by family violence. * Child abuse has reached epidemic proportions

Escalating Divorce Rate Contributing factors include: * Unresolved marital conflict, * Softening of divorce laws, * Better economic conditions for women

Increase in One- parent Households * Increase in out-of-wedlock births, rise in the number of marital break-ups have led to a dramatic rise in the number of one-parent households and divided parenting situations

Remarriage and Blended Families * Many who lose marital partners soon remarry another who bring their children to this marriage

Encroaching Secularism * Though connected with the church, Christians too live in a fallen world. Secularism, thought of here as the antithesis of spirituality, is making inroads in families

2. The Family Needs Nurture and Instruction The challenge facing the Church is to nurture its members, presenting biblical concepts of marriage, parenting and family living

Work in groups of two’s or three’s and come up with a list of ideas for Family Evangelism  E.g.: Spend special time alone with each child discussing their spiritual life.  E.g.: Have a prayer list for non- Christian relatives

a. Focus on God’s Purpose for the Family Truths regarding the family has been divinely revealed The idea of family is God’s design God knows how a family functions best

Family firstFamily first Helping children to a place of faithHelping children to a place of faith The blessing of a Christian partnerThe blessing of a Christian partner Our Mission Inside Our Homes

b. Unfold the spiritual dynamics that are at work in families A well-rounded ministry places high priorities on spiritual emphasis Teach and encourage interesting ways of conducting family worships

c. Present Scriptural concepts of family living The challenge of the church is to present Scriptural concepts of: marriage parenting family living

d. Include Life in Holistic Ministry Include families as integral to church activities: * family participation in church worship * family evangelism * family involvement in outreach programs