BLENDING FAMILIES

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT

SUCCESSFULLY BLENDING FAMILIES

“Did you ever notice how The Brady Bunch got just about all their step family challenges worked out in the first episode?” asks Ron Deal of Successful Stepfamilies.

Ron works alongside a growing number of ministries coaching families on Biblical principles to overcome the challenges of blending their families. Any home in which at least one spouse brings children from a prior relationship knows that it is much harder in real life than it was for  the Brady family. That’s why blended families need to add an extra measure of intentionality including several important steps.

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WHAT CAN YOU DO?

STEP 1
RECOGNIZE A HIGHER CALLING

Even though blended families are becoming a more common family structure, making them work well remains a real challenge due to the extra logistics and emotional landmines that are part of merging two homes into one.

The additional challenges you face in building a strong marriage and family make following Jesus’ example of laying down your life for others even more essential. That calling is clear in the letter Paul wrote to the Philippians:

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness (Philippians 2:4-7).

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STEP 2
FOCUS ON THE CHILDREN

Various family experts stress that strong families start with strong marriages – as the relational health of the couple goes, so goes that of the children. That’s not necessarily the priority, however, with blended families. Ron Deal has found that couples must first invest in the children they’ve brought together in order to be able to experience a growing marriage.

This is especially true in the area of establishing authority. Children need parents to exercise legitimate authority over them. Unfortunately, children often see the authority exercised by non-biological parents as illegitimate.

When this becomes evident, stepparents are tempted to either bulldoze their way to authority or just leave most of the work to the biological parent. Either of these options leads to greater stress. Non-biological parents still need to exercise an appropriate measure of authority – but they do need to earn respect, not just demand it.

Ask the Lord to give you an extra measure of patience and humility in dealing with stepchildren – especially when you know they have experienced the pain of divorcing parents or the grief of a deceased mom or dad which can cause long-term emotional trauma.

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STEP 3
ALLOW GOD TO REDEEM YOUR STORY

In Joel 2:25, God says, “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.”

Every stepfamily brings with it the hope for a redeemed life story – the hope that difficult chapters of the past can be followed by better days. Stepfamilies quickly learn that better days don’t appear magically.

As they submit to God’s calling and trust His ability to write their stories, however, they find He is still able to make all things new.

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LAKE POINTE CHURCH CARES

WE CAN HELP

GOING FURTHER

RESOURCES

  • Familylife.com/blended

    Provides biblically based resources that help prevent re-divorce, strengthen step-families, and help break the generational cycle of divorce.

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministers are lay caregivers who are carefully matched with care receivers by gender and pertinent life experiences. They are supervised by the church and work in strict confidence. To inquire about meeting a Stephen Minister, contact the ministry coordinator for a confidential conversation at 214.246.3443.

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Life Groups

Lake Pointe offers a variety of Adult Life Group classes for every season of life.

Consult the Life Group Locator Guide at the campus information booths to find one that fits your schedule and family life-stage or visit lakepointe.org/counseling/groups/

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Divorce Care & Recovery

A support group for those experiencing separation and in the process of divorce and those divorced, and a recovery process for those rebuilding their lives after a divorce (Rockwall Campus).

For more information call 469.698.2250 or visit lakepointe.org/counseling/groups

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Professional Counseling

Lake Pointe provides onsite, Christ-centered professional counseling. Both male and female counselors are available.

Counseling is offered for adults, adolescents and children. Fees are significantly lower than comparable services in our community. All counseling is confidential.

For more information, visit lakepointe.org/counseling or call 469.698.2250.

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ReEngage

ReEngage is a ministry that offers hope to marriages by helping couples move toward oneness through stories of grace, teaching and small groups.

ReEngage utilizes small groups led by qualified facilitators offering support, openness and scripture guided conversations rather than giving advice.

For more info go to lakepointe.org/reengage

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OUR LOCATIONS

Lake Pointe has six physical campuses, each unique and serving a different area of our community. We also have an Internet Campus and LP Español at several locations. We hope you join us at one of our campuses this weekend.

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PLAN YOUR VISIT

We know you may have a lot of questions when trying a new church. We want you to feel welcome and comfortable and at ease when you join us at Lake Pointe. Learn more about what you can expect by clicking below.

WHAT TO EXPECT

OUR CHURCH

Lake Pointe is a church made up of a diverse and vibrant community of people, with campuses throughout the Dallas area. Find out more about what we believe, our leadership team, and ministries for the whole family.

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