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2. Picking Up The Pieces Moving Beyond Broken Relationships

3. What Was “Shattered?”  A home Gen 2:18-24 4:1-2a  Love Eph 5:25-28 Titus 2:4  Trust (both spousal & parental)  Esteem, self confidence Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

4. What Was “Shattered?”  The family left behind may not be “whole” in the strictest Biblical sense  That doesn’t mean it cannot be healthy, functional, & useful to the Lord, others  Even in what will be tougher conditions Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

5. What Can Be “Mended?”  Not the original pieces…that would require reconciling the marriage  If not an option nor desired, where is this “mending” to be found?  From 2 sources… Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

6. What Can Be “Mended?” Within the shattered family Ê For the remaining spouse  Parenting is still needed  Challenging…now have both roles  Teach-able moment to children re: whom they will eventually marry Jer 3:6-10 Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

7. What Can Be “Mended?” Within the shattered family Ê For the remaining spouse  Yes…we know God’s feelings Mal 2:16  But sometimes divorce is the only option if one spouse won’t cease his/her fornication, remain true to marital vows Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

8. What Can Be “Mended?” Within the shattered family Ê For the remaining spouse  Some spouses aren’t interested in staying married 1 Cor 7:12  Believers left behind still have eternity to live for 1 Cor 7:25-26, 28, 32-35 Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

9. What Can Be “Mended?” Within the shattered family Ë For the remaining children  Tragic…they are often forced to deal with such before physically, emotionally ready  Some are bitter toward parent who left  Some become soured on marriage Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

10. What Can Be “Mended?” Within the shattered family Ë For the remaining children  Tragic…they are often forced to deal with such before physically, emotionally ready  Some even blame themselves for the marital break-up of their parents Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

11. What Can Be “Mended?” Within the shattered family Ë For the remaining children  Still honor your parents Eph 6:2-3  Both…a duty that never stops nor is contingent upon parents’ faithfulness  Honor might bring leaving parent around Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

12. What Can Be “Mended?” Within the shattered family Ë For the remaining children  Resolve to be better than what you’ve experienced  Will you want your children to know & feel what you’ve gone through? Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

13. What Can Be “Mended?” Through the spiritual family  Isn’t the N.T. church a “family?” Eph 2:19b 3:15 Rom 8:14-16  A “family” should help “pick up the pieces”  Only share to meet physical needs? Acts 2:44-45 4:32, 34 Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

14. What Can Be “Mended?” Through the spiritual family  Isn’t the N.T. church a “family?” Eph 2:19b 3:15 Rom 8:14-16  A “family” should help “pick up the pieces”  What about emotional, spiritual needs?  Isn’t there a “virtual” family? Mk 10:29-31 Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

15. Conclusion  Some “wounds” can never heal nor be totally “mended” Jer 19:11  However, some things can & should be done to help a situation that seems “hopeless” Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

16. Conclusion  Helping the “hopeless” situation  It won’t just happen on its own  Those affected personally must desire to pull themselves up & do what is right  Those on the outside must care enough to lend the helping hand Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

17. Conclusion  Whatever can be and is done is only possible because of God Mt 19:26  Only He can truly “mend what is broken” Picking Up The Pieces Beyond Broken Relationships

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