Page 82 - Family Life Student Textbook

Study Section 14: Develop long-term habits that will Build a
Positive Family life.

14.1 Connect

In the Old Testament, it was common for a father to bless his children. In Genesis 48, we see
Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, handing his heritage in God to his son, Joseph and to his grandsons,
Manasseh and Ephraim. In fact, the reason Joseph is not listed as one of the tribes of Israel is
that he received a double inheritance through his two sons.

In the same way, God desires to use your family to make a positive different in this sinful world, both in your
lives, and in the lives of others. What can you do to influence your family in a positive way to help make this
possible? What inheritance will you leave for your children and grandchildren?

14.2 Objectives
1. The student should be able to describe how he can positively influence his family so that God can
use him for His glory.

2. The student should be able to

3. The student should be able to

14.3 Developing long-term habits that will build a positive family life

(Some of the material in this lesson comes from Dennis Rainey’s “Weekend to Remember” marriage
conference booklet.)

1) Get into the habit of giving a blessing.

Cultivate a right attitude toward your spouse.

1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be
compassionate and humble.”

God wants us to have a loving attitude toward our spouse that overlooks their weaknesses and offenses and
seeks their best in every way possible. We can learn to give our spouse the benefit of the doubt when they
say or do something which could possibly be interpreted as offensive to us. We must remind ourselves that
our spouse loves us and desires the best for us.

We must be careful to “take our thoughts captive” so that we do not become bitter and resentful against
our mate. We need to keep short accounts with God, in repenting and changing our sinful and selfish
attitudes. And we need to keep short accounts with our spouse by resolving conflict and decreasing tension
between us.

Working together, we can foster a positive, loving, and encouraging tone in our family relationships.

Do not retaliate with an insult even when you receive an insult.

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