Today we begin a new teaching series called "Family Values" where we are taking a deep dive into strengthening our family relationships.

Family is so important. Though often challenging, family can be some of our deepest and closest relationships- and those matter!

We believe your family matters, and perhaps most importantly, your family matters to God.

"Family Values" is about answering the question, 'what does it mean to be faithful in my relationships with my family?'.

Whether you are a son or daughter, husband or wife, brother or sister, aunt or uncle, your family relationships matter to God.

1. Everyone has family
-This series matters for everyone. While it will look different for each individual, it is truth that everyone needs.
-Each of us have relationships with family, and those relationships matter.

2. Family is messy
-When it comes to family, there’s no such thing as “normal.”
-For some this is messy because it's incredibly painful: the memory of loss, the reality of brokenness or other hurts that have come from our family.

There is help.
There is hope.

-“Family” is, first and foremost, God’s idea, stemming to the very earliest days.
-Family is not a cultural creation. It's not something that we created. It wasn't our idea.
-Back in Genesis 2, we see God creating man and woman to be together.
God says it wasn't good for man to have to be alone (Genesis 2:18).
-This is not just an account of creation, it is God creating family, establishing deep connection.

We begin today by focusing on an essential component of healthy families, being centered on Christ.

But what does that mean practically?

While it can mean many things, first and foremost it means to committing to Christ-like love.

"Love each other as I have loved you"

You really can't talk about making Christ the focus of the family without talking about His love. Jesus' call is to love others as He has loved us.

How did Christ love?

We see that 'Love embraces'
Embraces what?
-Patience (is patient)
-Kindness (is kind)
-Truth (rejoices with the truth)
-Resilience (always protects)
-Trust (always trusts)
-Hope (always hopes)
-Endurance (always perseveres, never fails)

But also, we see that 'Love resists'
Resists what?
-Envy (does not envy)
-Boasting (does not boast)
-Arrogance (isn't proud)
-Rudeness (it does not dishonor others)
-Selfishness (not self-seeking)
-Anger (not easily angered)
-Resentment (no record of wrongs)
-Evil (does not delight in evil)

There is a whole lot about family you can't control. But one thing you can do is commit to make Christ the center.

When we allow His love to so fill us to overflowing, when we remain in His love (John 15:9), we begin to allow that love to flow through His. Christ-like love overflows into our families.

Verses for further study/reflection:
Ecclesiastes 4:12
Genesis 18:19
Exodus 20:12
Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Other Scriptures specific to family:
Psalm 68:6
Psalm 103:13
Psalm 127:3-5
Proverbs 22:6
Malachi 4:6
Matthew 7:11
Mark 3:25
Colossians 3:18-21
Ephesians 5:25-30
Ephesians 6:1-4
1 Timothy 5:8
Titus 2:3-5