1. Colossians: Navigating Through Cultural Chaos Doug Brown audio, pdf, and power point available @ karenvineyard.org

2. Creating your House Blend Colossians 3.18-21

3. What do most people do on a date? Lynette, age 8 “Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.

4. How do you decide whom to marry? “No person decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all the way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with. Kirsten, age 10.

5. How can a stranger tell if two people are married? Derrick, age 8 “You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.”

6. What do you think your Mum and Dad have in common? Lori, age 8 “Both don’t want any more kids.”

7. Definition: “Blend” To mix smoothly and inseparably together or to mix in order to obtain a particular kind or quality. Definition: “Blend” To mix smoothly and inseparably together or to mix in order to obtain a particular kind or quality.

8. Kenyan MPs Legalize Polygamy

9. Creating a House Blend

10. Three Notes: 1) Note context – “do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” v.17 2) Note emphasis of the whole passage is on duties, not rights. 3) Note the duties are reciprocal--that is, not all the rights are on one side and all the duties on the other. Three Notes: 1) Note context – “do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” v.17 2) Note emphasis of the whole passage is on duties, not rights. 3) Note the duties are reciprocal--that is, not all the rights are on one side and all the duties on the other.

11. Guidance for Wives 1)the context shows that the wife's attitude is prompted and warranted by her husband's unselfish love. 2)the form of the verb shows that the submission is to be voluntary 3)the phrase “as is fitting in the Lord” indicates that this relationship is lifted to a new and higher level. Authority must be given by the other, it cannot be taken.

12. How has God created His House Blend? Genesis 1 & 2 tells us that men and women share the same nature and a woman completes a man in that they have a shared partnership Genesis 3 tells us that their partnership was disrupted by the Fall and the redeeming work of Christ is meant to return men and women to their true and original state. Ephesians 5.2 tells us that if both the husband and the wife are submitted to the Lord then a power struggle is a moot point.

13. A happy man marries the girl he loves, but a happier man loves the girl he marries. ~ African proverb Marriage is like a groundnut; you have to crack it to see what is inside. ~ Ghanaian proverb A happy man marries the girl he loves, but a happier man loves the girl he marries. ~ African proverb Marriage is like a groundnut; you have to crack it to see what is inside. ~ Ghanaian proverb

14. Guidance for Husbands Men initiate creating a House Blend Intimacy is founded in Covenant (promise) Intimacy is expressed by time Intimacy is conveyed by listening Intimacy is built by praying together Intimacy is given through gifts & service

15. “A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.” G.K. Chesterton “A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.” G.K. Chesterton

16. A family is like a forest, when you are outside it is dense, when you are inside you see that each tree has its place. ~ African Proverb A united family eats from the same plate. ~ Baganda proverb A family is like a forest, when you are outside it is dense, when you are inside you see that each tree has its place. ~ African Proverb A united family eats from the same plate. ~ Baganda proverb

17. Giving your children access to Jesus  There is more to your children than you know.  The challenge is that we think we know our children completely because you’ve been with them from the beginning.  “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” Jeremiah 1.5

18. Guidance for Children It is not our job to merely control our children’s behavior, but instead we are called to create a spiritual life for him/her.

19. What is God’s House Blend for your Home? What is your goal in raising each of the children God has entrusted to you? How will you create environments in your home that will reinforce that goal? Who does God require you to be as a parent? What is God’s House Blend for your Home? What is your goal in raising each of the children God has entrusted to you? How will you create environments in your home that will reinforce that goal? Who does God require you to be as a parent?

20. Children’s obedience v.20 1) Obedience in everything 2) For this pleases the Lord The measure of the child’s obedience is “all things”; and the motive is to please the Lord.

21. Guidance for Parents Your House Blend is... The first school for emotional learning. Parents are emotional coaches. We are not trying, but training. (See Ephesians 6.4) Bless the difference between Fathers and Mothers.

22. Guidance for Parents Your House Blend is... 1. Be aware of your child’s emotion, but don’t let these feelings control the house blend. 2. Recognize the emotion as an opportunity for intimacy and teaching. 3. Listen, validate, and help put verbal labels on the child’s emotions, but also set limits.

23. “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,... But as for me and my household, we will serve the L ORD.” Joshua 24 14 & 16