FAMILY? What does it mean to you?
For some people the mention of FAMILY brings back a sense of pain - of years gone by without any communication, of dreadful thoughts of them invading your home at Christmas for another falling out, of failing to measure up to their expectations, of abuse, rejection, loss and other such negative experiences. For others FAMILY means safety, love, fun, care, home, support.
I recently asked some of the folk in our community shop "What is the first thing that comes to your mind when I say the word FAMILY?"
They responded: Love - Comfort - Together - A unit - Conflict - You can't choose them - In the middle - Only see them at weddings, christenings and funerals - I forget their names - Must be awful not to have a family - ‘My’ Family…- ‘The’ Family... - Immediate or extended
We all have different experiences of FAMILY.
As a church we have called 2010 'A Year of Family'. We acknowledge that we are family - in fact it is one of the richest blessings we enjoy and something we want to give our time and attention to.
In this Sunday teaching series starting on 9 May, we will be drawing material from the excellent book *Sixty Minute Family by Rob Parsons and searching the scriptures to help us learn more about ourselves, about others and about attitudes and actions and how we can be a blessing to those we are in relationship with – at home – at work – at church – socially, in the wider family and in the world at large.
Some of the Sermon Titles are:
Time Myths
Rediscover Communication
Giving Responsibility
Holiness of Singleness
Style Makeover
Handling Conflict
The Power of Encouragement
Learn to love in January
Recommended reading: *Sixty Minute Family: One Hour to Transform Your Relationships for Ever - Rob Parsons - ISBN 13: 9780745953830
|