As most people emerge into adulthood, they begin to consider in full scope the future years ahead of them and for the vast majority that future involves having a family. This holds true in every culture and society; and those who are Christians likewise seek to start families. Since this is a venture that an individual will or has already embarked on it is wise to think deeply and consider the landscape ahead. So, lets briefly consider the life cycle of the Christian family.

This journey begins before it begins. Just like any journey one makes plans before they head out the door. The same is true with starting a family and since it is a journey that begins with two that first union is one which should be entered into with careful consideration. After all this is the individual, you plan to spend the rest of your life with and build a family with, thus the journey begins before it begins by considering who that person is before you ever meet them… their personality, their character traits, their faith, etc. You should know who that person is long before you have a face and name to go with it. This is the first phase of the life cycle of the Christian family.

Remember, there is no such thing as a perfect person, even the advice from the king’s mother to him written in Proverbs 31 starting in verse 10 begins with, “An excellent wife, who can find?”

The point is with all the outstanding qualities that follow in the chapter you will never find that person who measures up to every last one.

This first step in the journey ahead will greatly determine how you will manage navigating the hills and valleys, and how the unpredictable breakdowns and delays will impact the journey. Starting out with the right partner makes even the most difficult parts of the journey a little smoother and manageable. The beginning of the journey can make or break the entire journey. The rest of the venture of building a family is a venture that is now embarked on with two and not one alone thus the scriptures say, “the two shall become one…” And the journey is now not dependent on one but on one another.

With the right partner by their side, together they can now build a family together in faith, hope and love. Raising and guiding the children they are blessed with, or should I say entrusted with, in the fear and admiration of the Lord. Guiding them not only in the days of their youth but also throughout the days of their lives as they in turn emerge into adulthood and begin their own journey of building a family of their own, which is by nature an extension of the family they started.

Like many topics presented in the articles found here every week there is much more that could and needs to be explored with regards to “The Life Cycle of the Christian Family” and I plan to do just that this month, Sept. 18 to 20, in a short series presented at the Church of Christ located at 310 Oregon Street. Friday , Sept. 18, there will be a meal provided at 6 p.m. followed by the first session, “Off to a Good Start.”

The second session, “Rooted in Faith, Hope, and Love” will be on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 5 p.m. with the final two sessions on Sunday, Sept. 20, with “Our Wonderful Children” at 9 a.m. followed by “Perpetual Generations” at 10 a.m., as the sermon in our normal time of worship. Everyone is invited to join us for all of these sessions as we more fully explore the topic of “The Life Cycle of the Christian Family.”