Family Life Ministry Overcoming Foundational Causes of Family/Marital Problems (Part 1 = Unity)

Text Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation](Proverbs 24:3 AMP) Psalm 11:3 [KJV]:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Summary of Last/Introductory Teaching Five fundamental causes of marital problems Poor Communication Skills Financial Stress & Strain Selfishness Physical Exhaustion Infidelity

Foundational Principle in Marriage = Oneness/Firm Unity One of the God's foundations for a blessed home is the application of the principle of Oneness = Firm unity of mind and purpose In God’s marriage math, 1+1 =1 (not 2) Matthew 19:1-6

Matthew 19:1-6 (AMP) 19 Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the part of Judea that is beyond the Jordan; 2 And great throngs accompanied Him, and He cured them there. 3 And Pharisees came to Him and put Him to the test by asking, Is it lawful and right to dismiss and repudiate and divorce one’s wife for any and [a]every cause? 4 He replied, Have you never read that He Who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be united firmly (joined inseparably) to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder (separate).

Foundational Principle in Marriage = Oneness/Firm Unity In God’s marriage math, 1+1 =1 (not 2) Complete/firm unity is God’s original design and intent for marriage Many families are missing out of the blessings of God (spiritual & material) because of disunity

Blessings of Unity (Oneness of Mind & Purpose) Acts 2:1-4: When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Blessings of Unity (Oneness of Mind & Purpose) Filled with the Holy Spirit = God’s Presence I believe that God had already appointed that day for their visitation, but they had to be in unity of mind and spirit to actualize it! Acts 4:44-47

Blessings of Unity (Oneness of Mind & Purpose) Acts 2:44-47: Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Questions for Tonight’s Study What is unity?  What is disunity?  What causes disunity in homes? How can you achieve the level of firm unity and being in one accord that God designed/desires for our homes?

Questions What is unity? Dictionary Definitions the state of being in full agreement the quality or state of not being multiple :  oneness a condition of harmony :  accord continuity without deviation or change (as in purpose or action) the quality or state of being made one :  unification

Questions What is disunity? Dictionary Definitions the state of not being able to agree about important things - lack of unity Synonyms conflict, disaccord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, dissension; dissent, dissidence, dissonance, disunion, discord, division, friction, infighting, inharmony, schism, strife, variance, war, warfare Related Words clash, collision, competition, contention; altercation, argument, bicker, brawl, debate, disagreement, dispute, divide, fissure; falling-out, fight, hassle, jar, miff, mix- up, quarrel, row, run-in, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle; incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, inconsistence, inconsistency, inconsonance, inharmoniousness; animosity, antagonism, antipathy, cold war, enmity, hostility, ill will, rancor

What Causes Disunity in Homes?

What Causes Disunity in Homes? Misunderstanding Difference of perspective Un-unified vision (lack of a sense of common purpose) Selfishness Laziness (not willing to work on your relationship)…cleaving is active word!

Achieving Unity How can you achieve that level of firm unity and being in one accord that God designed for our homes?

Achieving Unity Video (20minutes) How can you achieve the level of firm unity and being in one accord that God designed/desires for our homes? #1: Praying together... Video (20minutes)

Achieving Unity #2: talking & sharing of your thoughts with each other (communication) #3: seeking to see things from your spouse perspective #4: studying the word together or sharing what you are learning in God's word with each other #5: shut the door against things that will build a barrier between you (people, money/work, etc.)

Achieving Unity #6: sit down and develop a vision for your family together this is an opportunity to share your concerns openly allowing the other party to express their feelings & opinions without feeling guilty #7: plan together on a regular basis (set goals together) #8: avoid protracted physical separation as much as possible (e.g. Being apart weeks or months because of work...it could open the door for the enemy and create disunity)

Achieving Unity #9: be sensitive and observant to subtle changes in countenance, mood, etc. #10: spend time together Your time is your life...money for time! Quality or quantity does not matter, just spend time together talk...be friends of each other

What questions do you have about today’s teaching? Q&A What questions do you have about today’s teaching?

Prayer & Closing