2. Movie? Or, Real Life? The father is a successful fire-fighter; the mother is involved with church activities; the daughter is a successful lawyer, and their son, another community serving fire-fighter. From within, however, all is coming apart at the seam: –The son is a drunkard who is cheating on his wife… –The daughter is a closet lesbian about to announce her wedding engagement… –Her husband is a recovering alcoholic –The mom is trying to hide what would otherwise destroy her reputation as having the perfect family.

3. Fact: Were Saved Sinners We live in a broken world full of deceit, selfish ambition, hatred, immorality, etc. For a variety of reasons, many families among Gods people include divorced or single parents, latch-key children, or completely broken homes. These include families who live with chronic heart- aches as their walk with the Lord clashes with their own sins/weaknesses or with other family members.

4. Upcoming Family Series Before we delve into the following sermons regarding a Biblical Family we need to rid ourselves of unnecessary, unfruitful, even unreasonable views that adversely affects us as Christian families.

5. Godly Families Exist It is true: there are wonderful and godly families where members are living to glorify God together. –Families where parents teach and train their children in the way of the Lord. Prov. 22:6 –Families where children honor and respect the authority, leadership and guidance of their parents. Eph. 6:1-3 –Such are godly examples that bring about justifiable praise from their peers.

6. Reality Check Many families are not like the above. Often, a part within the family live pure and holy lives, while the others dont. The reality is that each family consists of unique lives (each with endless variables of beliefs, thoughts, desires, strengths and weaknesses) interacting – for better or for worse – with ever changing circumstances that continuously shapes the reputation of that family.

7. Contributing Members This only happens when each individual substantially contributes to the familys well- being. Cp. Eph. 4:15-16 That is the purpose of this family series: looking at the various family roles and major events that shapes its members into a unit that aims to glorify God.

8. Conclusion While godly families exist, many have trials and struggle in their day-to-day relationships. Maybe you, your family, friends, neighbors are struggling within their families? Please come and bring them to hear a series of lessons on the family aimed at glorifying God.