The second rung in the Model of
Christian Unity is the family. Each
individual born on earth is part of a family. Ideally that family consists of a
mother, father, siblings and extended members (i.e. aunts, uncles, cousins,
etc.). For too many individuals however that ideal falls short resulting in
single parent families, families where there is no parent at all, and every
other variety one can imagine.
Family reaches beyond genetics or
a physical home. It is not uncommon to hear about persons in the military
referring to their family in the service or close friends calling one another
brother and sister. Whatever the configuration, strengthening the family is of
critical importance in the spiritual unification process on the road to
Christian Unity.
The Bible as a historical record
provides stories of close-knit blood-related families such as Mary, Martha and
Lazarus (John 11); close in-laws such as Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1:16);
dysfunctional families like that of King David (2 Sam. 11-13) and Jacob with
his 12 sons (Gen. 34-37); and even families where one brother murders another
in Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:8). The Bible outlines the establishment of the family
(Gen. 2:18), the institute of marriage (Matt. 19:4-6), the importance of
children (Psa. 127:3) and the dynamics of family relationships (Ex. 20:12 and
Eph. 6:4).
The importance of the family to
the greater whole of Christianity is unmistakable. Strong families translate
into strong churches and strong communities. Because the forces of evil know
this the family is constantly under attack. Inspired spiritual leaders have
spoken publicly about the criticality of the family including Pope John Paul II
who said “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in
which we live.” Yet, despite decades of warnings society continues to ignore
the obvious and pay the consequences including increased crime, child abuse,
and abandonment.
At the core of the disintegration
of the family is divorce. The absence of both parents in the home and the
associated economic stress has not only been linked to an increase in child
abuse, but a new phenomenon of technology as a babysitter. A study released by
the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2010 revealed 8 to 18 year-olds in the United
Sates devote an average of just over 7.5 hours per day to entertainment media
including TV, video games, computers, iPods, and cell phones. The impact of
such tremendous exposure to media has a devastating effect on children and
youth.
To strengthen the family Shuster
offers a unique lesson in the Divine
Triangle whereby family unity is enhanced through the pursuit of Christ and
His gospel. For those times when certain family members are in need a little
extra support the Divine Triangle can transform to buoy those who are
struggling. The chapter ends with practical counsel and tips from authors and
family clinicians on healthy family dynamics—all designed to strengthen the
family on the road to Christian unity. Next we look at strengthening the
church.
Go to www.findyourchristianity.com to watch the book trailer, find
out what type of Christian you are, and to order the book
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