•We seldom see these ideals modeled in the world anymore!•Usually, we see the “dysfunctional” family on display.

•As we celebrate family, let’s talk about God’s ideal for families.

•As we show the world God’s idea of family, we will strengthen our communities and our nation.•What type of family does God love the most?

•Colossians 3:19 -- Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

•Ephesians 5:25-29 -- Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself…no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church….

1 Peter 3:7 --Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Titus 2:4-5 -- Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is

the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives

should submit to their husbands in everything.”

Ephesians 6:4 --

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

Proverbs 19:18 -- Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

Proverbs 29:17 -- Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.

Proverbs 6:20 -- My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

Titus 2:4-5 (repeat) – Mothers provide a place of security, nurturing, comfort and love for proper development.

Colossians 3:20 -- Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

•This is a win/win situation!

1 Corinthians 11:3 -- Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

•Some families at Southside don’t fit this ideal.•We have single parent families and other families that just don’t fit the pattern.•We still need to strive for the ideal in every situation.•God’s ideal doesn’t change just because we don’t always live up to it.•The most important thing is for each of us to place ourselves firmly under the headship of Christ.•He will bless our families.