Home Sweet Home Part 1: Essentials of a Strong Family
For any structure the most important component is the foundation on which everything else will be built. After that is the quality of the material you use. The same is true when building a strong family. The only difference is when building a house, the foundation and material are physical objects, when building a strong family, the foundation and materials are Biblical Principles. With that said, I’m going to simply provide some examples of what the Bible says are the Essentials for Building a Strong Family. As you read through this, pray about each verse and ask how you can apply it to building a strong family.
I. FOUNDATION
A. Jesus Christ must be the rock on which you build
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. - Matthew 7:25
B. Jesus Christ must be the cornerstone
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. - Ephesians 2:19-22
II. WALLS AND ROOF
A. Built from Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. - Proverbs 24:3-4
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. - Proverbs 22:6
B. Strengthened by Humility and Integrity
But with humility comes wisdom - Proverbs 11:2
The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. - Proverbs 20:7
III. TERMITES
A. Pride
In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. - Psalm 10:4
B. Anger
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. - Proverbs 15:1, 18
C. Rebellion and Arrogance
For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” - 1 Samuel 15:23
D. Jealousy
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. - James 3:14-16
IV. PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
A. Love
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-6
B. Fruit of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23
C. Seeking Wisdom
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. - James 3:17
