What is a Family? (Part 1)

Jim Leffel
Colossians 3:18-4:1

What is a family? According to the book of Colossians, the family is an inclusive community that includes the nuclear family and the family of God. The focus of the family is the relationships within the groups. There are two principles that make up healthy relationships; they include: reciprocal relationships and purposeful relationships. This is part 1 of a 5 part series.\r\n

8 Essential Attitudes (Part 2)

Dennis McCallum
Hebrews 13:3-4

Christians should remember those who are ill-treated and are undergoing suffering, as they are all a part of the body of Christ. Christians are instructed to honor marriage that is within God's design - a heterosexual, monogamous relationship. This type of relationship is increasingly rare in our society, but glorifies God and should stand distinct in our world. Those who are non-married should develop skills to be effective in marriage, and those within marriage should have a high priority on creating a God-honoring marriage.

Serving Love and Sexuality (Part 2)

Dennis McCallum
Mark 10:2-9

The topics of dating, marriage and divorced are discussed. The biblical ideal for dating relationships is loving the whole person through agape love. Agape love is deeply sacrificial and exemplified through action over time, as opposed to a primarily feeling-based, temporary, taking type of relationship or marriage. Immature relationships produce co-dependent, romanticized, superficial relating that puts self at the center. Common hurdles within marriage include pride, control, expectations, and a lack of grace. These are able to be cultivated in the context of close relationships - dating or platonic. This teaching also touches on what steps Christians can take if they are divorced.

Serving Love and Sexuality (Part 1)

Dennis McCallum
Mark 10:1-9

When the focus of sexuality is servant love, we understand that sex is highly intimate and thus can be highly damaging, so we want to listen to God's perspective on what will be the most fulfilling. The key to success in sexual relationships is that it is centered around God. When centered on God, sexuality is able to be freeing and highly unifying as both parties are secure in their position in Christ and can look to serve one another out of God's love, rather than needlessly taking from one another. For those not in marriages, developing our ability to give love in Christian community is a great starting point.

Sexual Intimacy in Marriage

Jim Leffel
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

Paul teaches the Thessalonians about two biblical themes of sexuality: 1) the melding of persons; and 2) self-giving love. God's intent and purpose are radically different than the culture's, then and now. His way is better. Paul contrasts our culture's view that sexuality is for the benefit of self versus God's view that it is to benefit the spouse. God's way of sexuality mirrors His character and brings intimacy to the marriage relationship.\r\n

Three Assumptions About Sex

Jim Leffel
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Paul teaches the Thessalonians to follow God's will for sexuality and to be sanctified in this area. He explains that this means we live distinctly from the culture in regards to sex. The Roman views of sex and family are the same as our contemporary views. Paul addresses three assumptions about sex: 1) sex is an amoral natural impulse; 2) anything goes between consenting adults; and 3) how we view the self. He teaches that biblical sexuality is radically different and better.\r\n

Good News for Troubled Marriages (Part 2)

Jim Leffel
1 Peter 3:5-9

Some key components to a godly marriage are as follows: it is centered on the Lord; each partner is actively cultivating his/her relationship with God; the couple views their relationship as a spiritual and purposeful partnership with a common goal; they choose to accomplish life together; they are tangibly outward focused; each spouse can see the other as a key provision from the Lord; and they actively look for ways to honor each other.

Good News for Troubled Marriages (Part 1)

Jim Leffel
1 Peter 3:1-4

Part one of a two-part series on good news for troubled marriages which focuses on the wife's roles. Peter gives concise, helpful, but hard to hear principles for wives even if their husbands are disobedient to the Word. Difficult topics such as submission and respect are addressed as well as the meaning of a gentle and quiet spirit. When women engage their disrespectful spouses, God can do big things.\r\n

Patriarchy or Serving Love

Dennis McCallum
Ephesians 5

Throughout various religions and church history, there have been misrepresentations of marriage roles between men and women. Instead, God's design for roles within relationships is servant love, a commitment to the betterment of the other person. Growing Christians realize that trying to have control and power within relationships, in particular within marriage, isn't the key. Instead, developing love and humility to radically serve the other partner is the key. Biblical submissiveness for wives is a willingness to be served and led towards God by their husband as they ultimately submit to Christ's leadership.