How Can We Rescue the Family?
John MacArthur
Grace to You
Next time you visit your Christian bookstore, notice how many books are available on the family. What you'll see is graphic evidence of the explosion of evangelicals' interest in the family. You could say we're obsessed with the family.
You might think people would be tired of hearing about the family, but that's not the case. People regularly tell me they wish we would offer more material on the family. My series of messages on The Fulfilled Family is consistently one of the most popular topics on our radio broadcast.
With all the material available to help families, why are so many Christian families in trouble?
May I suggest that our preoccupation may be part of the problem? We have become so engrossed in the family itself that we are losing our perspective on why the family is important to God and where it really fits in His kingdom plan.
I don't mean this as criticism of any of the valuable ministries that exist to help the family. Many of them fill a much-needed role, articulating biblical principles for family life. I thank God for them.
But not all teaching that claims to be pro-family is genuinely biblical. In fact, some of the popular ideas that have attached themselves to Christian pro-family movements are clearly a threat to the true purpose God designed for families.
It's amazing how many Christians believe, for example, that the family is always a priority over ministry. I know parents who have bailed out of any form of Christian service, thinking extracurricular church activity is an automatic threat to the sanctity of the home. They have become so absorbed in family activities that they don't have time to exercise their spiritual gifts. Several people have told me they don't attend Sunday evening church services because they set that night aside for "family time." "How Can We Rescue the Family?" article continued
For a teenager to be so unbearably unhappy that he would choose to kill himself is something that's almost too painful for a parent to think about. But with the increasing prevalence of teen suicide, no parent can afford to ignore the possibility. Suicide is now the third leading cause of death for high-school students. "What Parents Should Know About Teen Suicide" Mark Gregston, PARENTING TODAY'S TEENS WEEKEND
God has given me the responsibility of instilling His mindset in my children. And if I take care of the spiritual to the level that I should, the temporal aspects of raising my children will readily fall into place. "Parenting 101" Dr. Allen R. McFarland, CALVARY EVANGELICAL BAPTIST CHURCH
Chuck reminds us that the window of opportunity in which a parent can truly influence a child and shape his or her character does not stay open forever. That's why parents have to be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to prioritize meaningful time with their children during the years their children most need them. Nothing else in our schedules could possibly be as important! "Taking It Easy with Time and Touch" Chuck Swindoll, INSIGHT FOR LIVING
Explore 50 creative ideas from Nancy DeMoss to help your family have fun without the TV!"50 Ideas for Family Fun without the TV" Nancy Leigh DeMoss, REVIVE OUR HEARTS
May the Lord richly bless you!
The Oneplace.com Team
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The MacArthur 28 Volume Commentary Set
Grace to You This 28 Volume series provides reliable, New Testament interpretation and practical Bible-study lessons. John MacArthur provides verse-by-verse exposition and a clear, in-depth discussion that bring the text's meaning to light.
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