Something Greater

Husband of One Wife 1 Timothy 3:2 What has gone before... Paul has written a " job description " for the office of overseer, beginning and ending with two similar descriptors that serve as general heading and summary: Above Reproach and Well Thought Of. "Above reproach" and "well thought of" are open to various definition, according to who is watching or judging. Paul lists twelve specific attitudes, behaviors or conditions which help define these two character qualities. Moving on... "An overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed

Solving the Stepfamily Dilemma Biblical Counseling Center Don Hart writes a short article that is packed with interesting facts and practical advice for blended families . I want to put a spotlight on the most important parts, but you should read the entire article here: http://www.biblicalcounselingcenter.org Divorce Rate Take a survey of 100 married couples. 75 of the men and 60 of the women want to divorce and marry someone else . Most second marriages involve children. Out of every 100 divorces, 90 of the mothers will be the primary custodian. Survey 100 second-marriages. 67 of those marriages will also end in divorce. Don asks a good question: What can stepfamilies do to be one of the 33% of those whose second marriage succeeds? Problem 1: Time to Build the Marital Relationship It seems even more important for second-marriage relationships to spend as much time together as just husband and wife...yet it's even harder to do. The blended family tends

Family and Work, Part 3: The Father and the Children Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. (Colossians 3:20 ESV) Children, in the Greek, refers to offspring, regardless of age . It implies a result or something produced. The result of wise decisions is described as being children of wisdom. (Matthew 11:19). The owner of a vineyard had two children, old enough to work in a vineyard (Matthew 21:28). Jesus called his disciples, Children (Mark 10:24). Thus, all children, of any age , are to obey their parents in everything. Obey in the Greek means to listen attentively, implying obedience to a command. This word is related to that used of the woman's submission. Both words use the Greek preposition hypo, meaning under. However, they are distinctly different . The woman's submission to her husband is based upon arrangement . God has placed the husband as the head, and the woman as the helper, as a matter of arrangement an

Family and Work, Part 2: The Husband Colossians 3:19 Women are commanded to submit to their husbands as is fitting in the Lord. Men are commanded to love their wives , especially avoiding harsh attitudes and actions. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. (Colossians 3:19 ESV) The Greek word translated here as love is best defined as a strong desire for the eternal good for another person . It is a moral love, a long-term view of love, rather than temporary affection or sensual desire. It is based upon the desire to provide the answer to the question: What would be ultimately best for the one I love? It is used for many relationships, not just that of husband and wife: Jesus commanded this type of love for neighbors, enemies, and God Himself: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 19:19 ESV) Love your enemies. (Matthew 5:44 ESV) You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with a

Family and Work, Part 1: The Wife Colossians 3:18-25, 4:1 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. (Colossians 3:18 ESV) What do you think? What do you know about the new internet-based social media sites like Facebook or Myspace or Twitter? What has been your experience, good or bad? Paul makes a transition from the general to the specific, from discussing the group of people called the Church, to four distinct relationships : Wife Husband Children Slaves Masters Every person in the world can identify with one or more of these social links. We will see that we are children long past adolescence, and we all are slaves in several imporant respects. We do not commonly use the terms "slaves" and "masters", except in reference to past usage. But these relationships are actually universal and foundational in modern, everyday life. This entire passage flows out of the umbrella statement found in verse 17: And what