Beneath the Surface: Going Deeper Than Appearances! | Part 4: Deeper Family-ing!

Deeper Family Decision #1 –

Reset Family !

Mark 6:3 (NLT)

“He’s just a carpenter… the son of Mary … the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. His sisters live right here among us.”

Mark 6:4 (NLT)

“A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown … among his relatives … and his own family.”

Deeper Family Decision #2 –

Prioritize , Not Getting!

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (MSG)

Love cares more for others than for self … Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have … Love isn’t always “me first” … Love doesn’t keep score … Love trusts God always … Love always looks for the best … Love never looks back … Love keeps going to the end. (Love never fails.)

1 John 4:19 (MSG)

First, we were loved … now we love. God loved us first.

Deeper Family Decision #3 –

Pre-Decide Family !

Pre-Decision #1: before getting together!

James 1:19 prayer –

Lord, help me be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry!

Pre-Decision #2: more than criticize!

Pre-Decision #3:  life-giving conversations!

• Listen longer before speaking!

Proverbs 18:13 (NLT)

Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.

• Choose words as gifts, not weapons!

Proverbs 12:18 (TEV)

Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.

Ephesians 4:29 (NCV)

When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger.

• Time our words wisely!

Proverbs 15:23 (TLB)

How wonderful it is to be able to say the right thing at the right time!