+ Dysfunction is the Gift that Keeps on Giving Dysfunction is the Gift that Keeps on

+ Study out 4 generations of family in Genesis Abraham Isaac Jacob/Esau Sons of Jacob

+ Favoritism 1 st Generation – Abraham Genesis 21: The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac." 11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son.

+ Favoritism 2 nd Generation – Isaac Genesis 25: The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents. 28 Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

+ Favoritism 3 rd Generation – Jacob Genesis 37:3-4 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

+ Favoritism 4th Generation – Joseph Genesis 48: When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim's head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. 18 Joseph said to him, "No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head."

+ Handled Conflict 1 st Generation – Abraham Genesis 21:10-11, and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.” 11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. 14 Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the desert of Beersheba.

+ Handled Conflict 2 nd Generation – Isaac Genesis 27: When Rebekah was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, "Your brother Esau is consoling himself with the thought of killing you. 43 Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran.

+ Handled Conflict 3 rd Generation – Jacob Genesis 37: Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed.

+ Children Living in Hostility 1 st Generation – Abraham Genesis 25:18b 18 His descendants settled in the area from Havilah to Shur, near the border of Egypt, as you go toward Asshur. And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.

+ Children Living in Hostility 2 nd Generation – Isaac Genesis 27:41 41 Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob."

+ Children Living in Hostility 3 rd Generation – Jacob Genesis 45:4-5 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

+ Other dysfunctions that were passed on: Lack of commitment to honesty Rivalry

+ Instead of passing down our dysfunction, let us strive to be the generation that: Gains Awareness of our Dysfunction Breaks Unhealthy Cycles

+ 2 reasons why we don’t: Ignorance Lack of Training

+ If children end up with an opposite dysfunction… it is often from an overreaction which itself may have been problematic…(egs) Either way, dysfunction is getting passed down. Goal – To raise up a new generation who are more Christ-like with a better start than we had. (The new and improved version)

+ First Principles: We are systematic before conversion… What about after conversion? This is our weakness… Usually only one set of First Principles…doctrine.

+ First Principles: All disciples in SEA Region are being prepared to be put on a training route… Marriage – “I Choose Us” Parenting – “Good Enough Parenting”

+ Ephesians 4: It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

+ 2 Timothy 3: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

+ Parents Ministry Young Christian Process Baptized and New Life begins 13 Follow-up Studies Discipling Model & Vulnerability Guard the Gospel (Young Christian) “I Choose Us” (Marriage) “Bless me too, my Father” (God) Forgiveness “Passage to Patmos” (NT Overview) “And So We Came to Rome” (mission) “Habits of Victorious Small Group” “Freely Receive, Freely Give” (Finance QT Series) “Good Enough Parenting” “Ascent to Truth” + 3 more OT classes

+ Singles Ministry Young Christian Process Baptized and New Life begins 13 Follow-up Studies Discipling Model & Vulnerability Guard the Gospel (Young Christian Class) Positive Choice (Sexual Abstinence Class) Habits of Victorious Small Group Freely Receive, Freely Give (Finance QT Series) Passage to Patmos (NT Overview) The Blessing (Bless me too, my Father) “Why do I behave the way I do?” (Understanding Schema) Forgiveness Old Testament Overview Ascent to Truth “It’s not you, It’s me.” (Dating Workshop)

+ If “Dysfunction is the Gift that Keeps on Giving”, Dysfunction is the Gift that Keeps on Let’s be the generation that BREAKS THE CYCLE!