Friday First: Dealing with an Imperfect Family

This summer at Cornerstone, we are focusing on the family. Strong families make a strong church. We are living in times where the definition of a family is changing and the concept of the traditional family is under attack. As we study together our objective is to explore practical ways to build our families inside the design God made for the family beginning at creation.  We want to strengthen marriages, parent-child relationships, and the spiritual growth of the entire family.

Did you come from a perfect family? When you think of a perfect family, what comes to mind? Does your mind go back to the iconic imagery of the 1950’s or early 1960’s family? Many would agree that the twenty years following WW2 were the high water mark in our country for family stability, church attendance, and economic security. So for many of us, when we think of what a family should look like, our minds go back to what we perceive that time to have looked like. While there is much to be admired about that time in our country’s history, there is a higher standard to which we must look.

No matter what you think of the idealistic or nostalgic past, the scene for the family in American life today is much different. Now two-parent families are headed toward a minority. The number of people entering into marriage after divorce is ever-growing. Blended families are the norm. Some are foregoing marriage all together.  Some grow up in families without a father, or a home full of abuse or addiction. As the family scene in our nation continues to come apart, these problems have engulfed many families today. So if you feel you are alone in coping with an imperfect family, you are not alone.

Imperfect families have always been around. We can underestimate the impact our families can have on our outlook on life. Many of us have experienced all sorts of painful problems in the past that we still deal with today. How can we over come the problems created by an imperfect family?

On Sunday we will talk about:

• Dealing with destructive patterns of the past.
• Unlocking the power God supplies in the present.
• Embracing the possibilities God will give us in the future.

As you prepare for worship, please think about these questions.

1. What bad habits might you be hanging on to that came out of your family?
2. What are some steps you can take to restore relationships that may have ended inside your family?
3. How does living inside God’s way become a stronghold of protection for us?
4. Is forgiveness a choice?
5. How can the church help you to overcome your imperfect family?

OPENING / WELCOME
Kody Pritt

SONG LEADER
Dru McLaughlin

PRAYER OF PRAISE
Dave Pennington

LEAD LORD'S SUPPER
Roger Robins
 
SCRIPTURE READING
Kevin Shanesy
2 Corinthians 10.3-5

PREACHING
Matthew Allen

CLOSING PRAYER
Matthew Ringle

CLOSING COMMENTS
Mark Ringle

WELCOME CENTER
Sadonna Schofield / Diann Coffman

USHERS
Jim Grushon

CLOSING THE BUILDING
Josh Childers