02.06.2022 | BUILDING BLOCKS FOR HEALTHY FAMILIES
BUILDING BLOCKS FOR HEALTHY FAMILIES
1. Build with Vision and Values
Nehemiah 2:17 (NLT) – “But now I said to them, ‘You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!’”
Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
A. Vision for Building Different Key Aspects
Spiritual, social, emotional, behavior, mental, physical
B. Vision for Expanding Kids’ Vision
Nehemiah 3:12 (NLT) – “Shallum son of Hallohesh and his daughters repaired the next section. He was the leader of the other half of the district of Jerusalem.”
Joel 2:28 – “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.”
Joel 2:29 – “And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”
C. Vision for Partnerships
2 Timothy 1:5 – “When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.”
2 Timothy 1:6 – “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
D. Hope-Filled Vision for Every Season
Nehemiah 2:18a (NLT) – “Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.”
E. Vision to Fight for Relationships
Nehemiah 4:13b (NLT) – “I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.”
Nehemiah 4:14 (NLT) – “Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!’”
2. Build with Time Together
A. Be Present
B. Study the Bible Together
Nehemiah 8:2 (NLT) – “So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand.”
Nehemiah 8:3 (NLT) – “He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.”
Nehemiah 8:8 (NLT) – “They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.”
C. Cry Together
Nehemiah 8:9 (NLT) – “Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, ‘Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.’ For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the Words of the Law.”
D. Have Fun Together
Nehemiah 8:12 (NLT) – “So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.”
E. Eat Together
F. Serve Together
Nehemiah 3:3 (NLT) – “The Fish Gate was built by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid the beams, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars.”
Nehemiah 3:4 (NLT) – “Meremoth son of Uriah and grandson of Hakkoz repaired the next section of wall. Beside him were Meshullam son of Berekiah and grandson of Meshezabel, and then Zadok son of Baana.”
G. Worship Together
Nehemiah 9:3 (NLT) – “They remained standing in place for three hours while the Book of the Law of the Lord their God was read aloud to them. Then for three more hours they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God.”
Nehemiah 9:5 (NLT) – “Then the leaders of the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—called out to the people: ‘Stand up and praise the Lord your God, for He lives from everlasting to everlasting!’ Then they prayed: ‘May Your glorious Name be praised! May it be exalted above all blessing and praise!’”
H. Solve Problems Together
Nehemiah 4:16a (NLT) – “But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail.”
Discussion Questions:
1. What family/personal vision do you already have?
2. What areas do you need to develop family/personal vision?
3. Who do you need to invite into partnership for your family?
4. Beyond vision for your own family, what does assisting the vision of other families look like for you?
5. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal if there are any seasons in your family in which you spoke negative word curses that need to be broken so you can always speak life over your family.
6. What does being present look like for you with your family?