Transcript Document
Marriage, Marriage Relationships, and Today’s Challenges LLC Home and Family Workshop October 19-21, 2012 Marriage • Marriage relationships • Today’s challenges • Values, difficulties, extreme situations God’s Word Instructs: Regarding Marriage • Each person is equally valuable. • Man and woman, equal but different tasks. • “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Gen 1:27,28). God’s Word Instructs: Regarding Marriage • With God’s Word, a man and woman are joined in marriage: – Lifelong covenant. – Faithful in good days and bad. – Serving and supporting each other. • The holiness and permanence of marriage brings security. Difficulties in Homes and Families: Relationships within the home • Establishing a family requires commitment: – – – – – Managing our time Responsibility Everyday life is strenuous and full Rewarding and fulfilling What requires the most also gives the most • Here too the gospel is our strength. • We need to feel the support of fellow travelers. • Every generation receives strength from the Creator to follow His perfect plan! Difficulties in Homes and Families: Relationships within the home • Home and Family need much of our time. • Spousal relationship needs also caretaking: – Time for each other as a couple. – Personal time. • Nurturing the spousal relationship is caring for the family. Spousal Time Personal Time Difficulties in Homes and Families • Adversities belong to everyday life: – Weariness – Burdens of today obscure the big picture – Illness – Unemployment – Financial trials • Nurture the home’s well-being. • Conflicts and trials must be dealt with in the home. Difficulties in Homes and Families: Relationships within the home • Lack of communication can create difficulties: – Does my spouse have time for my thoughts? – Am I being heard as an individual? – Do I have time for my spouses thoughts? – Is my spouse heard as an individual? – Are we in mutual agreement on how we use our time, faith matters, life’s questions, and raising our children? – Are we drifting apart? – Do we dare talk about negative matters? Difficulties in Homes and Families: Relationships within the home • Problems in the parent’s relationship affects the children. • In conflict situations, the children often suffer. • Extreme situations: – Abuse or exploitation of children. – Children are traumatized. – Professional help needed.