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YOUR
MARRIAGE: HOW IT SHAPES THE NEXT GENERATION
by
Karen & Ron Flowers
Directors, Department of Family
Ministries, General Conference
1992
| Theme:
When the Spirit of Christ resides in the hearts of a husband
and wife, their marriage can be a powerful influence to mold
the lives of children and guide them toward positive values. |
| Theme
Text: Eph. 5:25; Titus 2:4; Deut. 6:6, 7 |
| Presentation
Notes: Throughout the following outline, numbers in
parentheses (1), (2), (3) will indicate items from the section
called Sermon Illumination which may be used for illustration.
The addition of your personal illustrations will enhance the
presentation. |
A focus on
Christian marriage must recognize at the outset that, while marriage
is God's general plan, it is not His only plan. Many members in
our midst love and serve the Lord faithfully as singles, making
profound contributions to the nurture and outreach of the church.
We also recognize that for some individuals, the very mention of
the word "marriage" brings discomfort, even great pain
because of their experience in marriage, or their contact with others
in marital difficulty.
Marriage suffered a great tragedy at the fall of our first parents
into sin. Since then the tendency to exploit or dominate one another,
which is the characteristic of sin, has brought suffering into the
lives of many a marriage partner. Hostility, abuse, violence, lust
and unfaithfulness have marred many marriages and destroyed others.
The ideal of an exclusive lifelong relationship between one man
and one woman eludes many who try today. And some, who long for
marital companionship, never know that joy.
•
Yet, because Jesus comforts the brokenhearted, we rejoice that
His Spirit can bring a deep sense of personal fulfillment to those
who have wanted to marry and have been unable to do so.
• Because
His gospel enables us to be healed, to forgive and to begin again,
we lift up to Him for encouragement and extend ourselves in support
to those who have experienced such trauma as to bring about divorce
or separation.
• Because
grace redeems what Satan has corrupted, we have hope today for
what His grace may do in the lives of couples who are discouraged
or disappointed in marriage right now, who continue to live together,
but who would like to experience better resolution of conflicts,
deeper appreciation and respect for each other, and a revival
of the flame of romance.
• We
celebrate what He is doing to bring spiritual growth and enrichment
to the lives of so many married couples.
What is the
significance of significance of Christian marriage to the lives
of children. Let us bring three texts together:
Eph. 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives."
Titus 2:4 "Admonish the . . . women to love their husbands."
Deut. 6:6, 7 "And these words which I command you today . .
. you shall teach them diligently to your children."
Christian love in the hearts of a husband and wife makes their marriage
a powerful influence for good in the lives of their children.
The Significance of Marriage to the Family
When human beings live closely together, they each contribute to
the environment in which they all live. This environment influences
each one's thinking and behavior. In the rearing of children, the
family environment has a crucial effect in the development of the
child's attitude toward himself, toward others, even toward God.
(1), (2)
In a two-parent family, the marriage relationship is a dominant
influence upon the family environment. Not only do father and mother
make it likely that the family's physical needs for food, clothing,
shelter and security will be met, but their relationship with their
children and even more so their relationship with each other
determines in a profound way how their children's emotional needs
will be supplied. If Christ's love has made their marriage fragrant,
its aroma will permeate throughout the whole family. "Mutual
affection between husband and wife will be to the family what the
heating system is to a house. It will maintain the relationship
of all family members in a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere."—David
and Vera Mace, In the Presence of God, p. 109.
Thus, the effectiveness parents have in transmitting the values
that are important to them to their children is related to the bond
of love they share as a couple. If we would "teach diligently"
our children, husbands must love their wives and wives their husbands.
Marriage
Qualities that Enhance Values Transmission
Marriage and family enrichment specialist Jim Larson lists several
qualities of a family environment that have a positive impact on
the moral development of children and which we should strive for
in our families: an environment that is loving, empathic,
and just. (Larson, p. 100.) When these qualities reside in
the marriage relationship, they will tend to shape the total family
environment.
Loving. Bonds formed with warm and loving parents tend to
cause children to imitate them more so than unloving parents. Such
an environment also causes children to be more willing to learn
and become more positive and confident than a hostile or frightening
environment. (3)
In the vital arena of sexual values, love of parents for each other
plays a crucial role. (4) Children in homes where love is expressed
will be more able to trust parents as sources of information and
feel comfortable, even willing, to ask questions and reveal the
experiences, feelings, and fears of their growing years.
"If the husband and wife would only continue to cultivate these
attentions which nourish love, they would be happy in each other's
society and would have a sanctifying influence upon their families."—Ellen
G. White, Mind, Character and Personality, p. 158.
What might these "attentions which nourish love" be?
•
Kind words of
appreciation, a loving touch, a happy smile offered to each other
in the presence of the children
• A
note or card written by one to the other which children know about
or which might be read when they are present
• A
gift given which children watch being unwrapped
perhaps a romantic surprise planned by one for the other with the
help of the children.
Empathic.
To be empathic is to enter into another's feelings. (5) A family
with empathy is concerned about each other's needs and feelings
as well as being concerned about behavior. While behavior is important,
an empathic family gives more consideration to understanding the
"why" of the behavior. Each is moved by the human needs
and feelings of the others and is willing to make changes as necessary
to enable one another to enjoy respect and dignity as persons. The
principle for this is that of Phil. 2:4, "Let each of you look
out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of
others."
"If the parents would enter more fully into the feelings of
their children and draw out what is in their hearts, it would have
a beneficial influence upon them."—Ellen G. White, The
Adventist Home, p. 190.
Many researchers are convinced that empathy is the most important
contribution a family can make to its children's values and that
empathy can be developed at a fairly young age. Children appreciate
having their feelings cared for, and will more likely respond in
a positive way when a parent says, "Billy, when the ball is
thrown at sister, it hurts her."
Ultimately, empathy is caught rather than taught. When we take children
on our laps and communicate with them at the feeling level it helps
to build into them the idea that their feelings and the feelings
of others are important. Instead of the more rough and impersonal,
"It's time to take your nap and that's that!" we can say
more gently and with regard for feelings, "It really makes
you upset when naptime comes and you have to interrupt your play
for a little while."
Dwelling in an empathic environment helps children learn to look
outside of themselves and become more attentive and mindful of others.
Again, if father and mother have a relationship which models empathy,
it will set the tone for learning this value. (6)
Empathic listening specialist Gleam Powell assures us of the benefits
to marriage empathy brings:
"When I am speaking and my spouse is listening empathically,
I feel very, very good. . . . I feel understood, respected, cherished.
"When I listen empathically to my partner, I benefit as well.
. . . I feel closer to him, more a part of him.
"Whenever spouses express to each other what they appreciate
about one another, they increase and underline their mutual caring.
. . . We feel warm and secure about ourselves, our spouses, and
our marriages."—Gleam S. Powell, Listening and Loving,
pp. 34, 45.
Just. A just environment gives equal consideration for all
family members. "Nothing has more influence on the development
of moral judgment than participation in a just environment."—Ted
Ward, Values Begin at Home, p. 75.
Children perceive
their environment is just when
•
the feelings
and opinions of every family member are respected.
• rules
or guidelines are consistently applied without double standards.
• family
members are allowed and encouraged to participate in family decision-making,
such as those regarding rules.
Jesus treated
children with respect as persons (Matt. 19:14). Paul taught that
youthfulness was not to be a source of disdain (1 Tim. 4:12). "Remember
that your sons and daughters are younger members of God's family."
"Children . . . are miniature men and women, younger members
of the Lord's family."—Ellen G. White, The Adventist
Home, pp. 161, 358.
Children pick up quickly on attitudes between father and mother
which are unjust, critical, or disrespectful and reflect these in
their own attitudes and behavior. As a result they may lose respect
for one or both parents, or may imitate these unjust attitudes and
actions when relating to parents, siblings, or others outside the
home. A child may identify with the parent who is being unjustly
treated with the result that his or her own emotional wellbeing
is affected. A young man feels respected when his father is respected
by his mother. A young woman feels respected when her mother is
respected by her father.
Marriage contributes
to a just family environment when just attitudes and behaviors are
present in the relationship of husband and wife.
•
Maintaining
confidence in each other and refraining from criticism by one of
the other in the presence of the children. "Perfect confidence
should exist between husband and wife. Together they should work
for the highest good of their children. Never should they in the
presence of the children criticize each other's plans or question
each other's judgment."—Ellen G. White, The Ministry
of Healing, pp. 393, 394.
• Treating
each other as equals. "Eve was created from a rib from the
side of Adam, signifying that she was not to control him as the
head, not to be trampled under his feet as an inferior, but to stand
by his side as an equal, to be loved and protected by him."—Ellen
G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 46. "Woman should fill
the position which God originally designed for her, as her husband's
equal."—Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home, p.
231.
• Working
to resolve conflicts and differences. A conflict-free environment
may be desirable, but unrealistic, since some conflict is inevitable
in a close relationship. By discovering the values, needs and the
hurt feelings which have triggered the conflict, a couple can learn
something important about their relationship, make adjustments and
grow. An environment where conflicts and differences go unresolved
is toxic to the couple and their children. Children need the assurance
of resolution of conflicts between their parents.
• Accepting
responsibility, asking forgiveness, saying, "I'm sorry."
Children also need some exposure to the process whereby conflicts
are resolved and hurts healed. They need to hear their parents make
apologies, ask for forgiveness and receive forgiveness.
One Good
Marriage Makes a Difference
The growing epidemic of marital difficulties and break-up means
that growing numbers of young people are without examples for healthy
Christian marriage. They lack models of Christian love and commitment
enacted in the lives of couples, models which show how to undertake
the often difficult work of listening, understanding, accepting
and adjusting, of resolving conflicts in ways in which no one loses
but both win, models of how their Christian love enables their romantic
and friendship love to blossom in ever more beautiful ways.
Though our human lives in marriage will but dimly reflect it, God
has provided us with a model of the perfect marriage partner, as
we view Him in relationship to His bride, the Church. Throughout
the pages of Scripture we find Him (Is. 54:5; Jer. 31:32; 2 Cor.
11:2) as a loving spouse who shows love and care, exhibits tender
regard for the feelings of His partner, treats her with dignity
and respect, allows full freedom of choice, entreating her rather
than forcing a response from her. Through all the difficulties of
the relationship, He keeps His covenant and makes great personal
sacrifices to maintain their union. With great pain does He acknowledge
His spouse's choice to end the relationship (Matt. 23:37, 38).
Each married couple constitutes a witnessing unit to exhibit by
God's grace and power the divine qualities in human relationships.
"Our sphere of influence may seem narrow, our ability small,
our opportunities few, our acquirements limited; yet wonderful possibilities
are ours through a faithful use of the opportunities of our own
homes."—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 355.
To our own children and those children of other families who pass
through our homes, our marriages may be a witness and an inspiration
that will exert a wonderful power on human hearts and lives. (7)
Conclusion
Some can thank God today for the homes in which they grew up and
for the marriages their parents worked to create that were wholesome,
happy and growing relationships. Others have not such positive examples
to look back upon. However, wherever we are, we can determine at
this point to be transitional persons and, with God's help, to be
positive influences for Christ to make better the relationships
in which we find ourselves and to be a source of blessing for those
whose lives are touched by ours.
|
Sermon
Illumination
|
| One
(1): Importance of family environment upon children.
"Study after study has shown that the family environment
is the most critical factor in effecting children's self-esteem,
success in marriage and family life, and achievement in jobs.
In fact, family environment—the quality of relationships
within the family—seem to be more important than level
of income, degree of intelligence, social status, or any other
factor."—Jim Larson, Rights, Wrongs and In-Betweens:
Guiding Our Children to Christian Maturity, p. 100. |
| Two
(2): Importance of relationship to parents to emotional
and spiritual development of children. "A person's
image of God is often patterned after his image of his own parents,
especially his father. If his parents were happy, loving, accepting,
and forgiving, he finds it easier to experience a positive and
satisfying relationship with God. But if his parents were cold
and indifferent, he may feel that God is far away and disinterested
in him personally. If his parents were angry, hostile, and rejecting,
he often feels that God can never accept him. If his parents
were hard to please, he usually has the nagging notion that
God is not very happy with him either."—Richard L.
Strauss, How to Raise Confident Children, pp. 23, 24. |
Three
(3): Effects of a loving environment. "Studies
have shown a warm and loving parent will be imitated more than
an unloving parent. And children who live in positive, accepting
environments have been found to be more willing to learn and
will generally be more positive and confident than children
living in environments that are hostile and frightening.
"Children who have positive self-esteem are usually from
homes where they feel loved, wanted, and appreciated."—Jim
Larson, Rights, Wrongs, and In-Betweens: Guiding Our Children
to Christian Maturity, p. 100. |
| Four
(4): Love of parents a primary in children's healthy
sexual development. "It is not simply a pretty phrase,
`the best thing mothers and fathers can do for their children
is to love one another.' It is a truism which is particularly
applicable to helping children to get a well-balanced and sensitive
picture of sexuality, always associated in their minds with
love, commitment, and responsibility."—Alberta Mazat,
That Friday in Eden, p. 141. |
| Five
(5): Empathy: awareness of others' feelings and needs.
"A morally maturing person is . . . one who has a developing
awareness of the feelings and needs of others. There is a sensitivity
to the consequence of personal behavior on others. A moral person
is learning to consider the viewpoints of others in deciding
the best or most moral way to act."—Jim Larson, Rights,
Wrongs, and In-Betweens: Guiding Our Children, p. 101. |
Six
(6): Empathy is "caught" rather than "taught".
After attending classes in communication and learning about
how to listen empathically by reflecting another's feelings,
a couple determined to use it in their communication with each
other. One morning as the family was together, the husband,
walking barefoot about the house, stubbed his toe on a chair
leg. When he cried out in pain, his wife resisted her usual,
"If you'd watch where you're going you wouldn't stub your
toe," or "Why don't you wear your houseshoes (slippers)?"
or "If you'd stay out of the kitchen while I'm sweeping
the floor you wouldn't bump into things" and tried a more
empathic response: "O darling, that must really hurt!"
Later that day as the children were playing together, the younger
son dropped a heavy object on his foot. As he screamed and yelped
and hopped around on one foot, the couple could not help noting
the response of their older son to him. Instead of, "You're
so clumsy, why didn't you ask me help you?" or "If
you wouldn't try to carry so much all at one time . . . ,"
he responded, "O Billy, that must really hurt. Let me see
how badly you hurt your foot!" |
Seven
(7): The influence of one good marriage. Lynda Barry
"grew up on the last street before a garbage ravine where
people from other places drove up to dump old refrigerators
and mattresses and bodies of dogs and other trash." But
her physical surroundings weren't the only parts of her life
in disarray. Things weren't going so well in her family either.
She had seen her father make a bedroom for himself in the basement,
and though few words were exchanged, she knew that wasn't good.
About that time a family moved into the neighborhood that was
different. Though obviously they moved there because they couldn't
move anywhere else, so they had plenty in common with everyone
else, there was something about Mrs. Taylor and her home that
drew kids like a magnet. When they brought her flowers, even
if they were only weeds torn up by the roots, she seemed genuinely
delighted. She smiled a lot, and hugged a lot. She took the
kids to church and talked to them about God. She even knew how
to make work fun. As Lynda tells it, "Most of the kids
on my street saw things like this on TV or read about it at
school, but for the most part it seemed like a lost practice
from an ancient tribe. Almost all of us had parents who were
deep in various sorts of trouble and they just could not remember
how to do this anymore. Mrs. Taylor was about the only remaining
evidence of purely affectionate contact for no good reason between
adult and child, and I have no doubt that a lot of credit for
the sanity of the kids who grew up in my neighborhood is due
to her."
Early one morning, drawn irresistibly to the Taylor doorstep,
Lynda knocked and invited herself to breakfast. Surprised, but
not disturbed, Mrs. Taylor set an extra plate at the table.
Lynda remembers, "I'll never forget that morning, sitting
at their table eating eggs and toast, watching them talk to
each other and smile. How Mr. Taylor made a joke and Mrs. Taylor
laughed. How she put her hand on his shoulder as she poured
coffee and how he leaned his face down to kiss it. And that
was all I needed to see. I only needed to see it once to be
able to believe for the rest of my life that happiness between
two people can exist. And I remember Sammy walking in and crawling
up onto his father's lap, leaning his head into his dad's green
coveralls like doing that was the most ordinary thing in the
world. Even if it wasn't happening in my house, I knew that
just being near it counted for something."
Mrs. Taylor was an artist, at least she made posters and backdrops
for the church. But in the minds of the children who flowed
through her home, she was a Michelangelo. Once when she let
Lynda make one of the shining lines coming out from the cross
on a backdrop she was creating, Lynda vowed she was going to
grow up and be a great artist just like Mrs. Taylor. And she
did. But far more significantly, she grew up like Mrs. Taylor
in more important ways. And faith passed from one generation
to the next.—Adapted from Lynda Barry, "Guardian Neighbor,"
Newsweek, Special Edition (Summer, 1991), pp. 70-73. |
References
Barry, Lynda. "Guardian Neighbor," Newsweek, Special
Edition, Summer, 1991.
Larson, Jim. Rights, Wrongs, and In-Betweens: Guiding Our Children
to Christian Maturity. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House,
1984.
Mace, David and Vera. In the Presence of God. Philadelphia:
The Westminster Press, 1985.
Mazat, Alberta. That Friday in Eden. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press
Publishing Assoc., 1981.
Powell, Gleam S. Listening and Loving. Gleam S. Powell, Inc.,
Box 4044, Athens, GA 30605, 1985.
Strauss, Richard L. How to Raise Confident Children. Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1975.
Ward, Ted. Values Begin at Home. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books,
1979.
White, Ellen G. The Ministry of Healing, Mountain View, California:
Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1942.
___________.
The Adventist Home. Nashville, TN: Southern Publishing Association,
1952.
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