Family Ministry

Family Ministry Defining Statement

FAMILY GROUP NEWS   Save the Date! September 6, 2008 -- Marriage Conference '08, presented by the Family Ministry of Bethel Church.

We believe that every believer is called to a life of personal ministry. We believe that effective personal ministry begins with effective ministry in our homes. Toward this end, we envision homes that are firmly Christ-centered, where His indwelling presence is truly palpable. We envision homes where every member of the family comes to a saving knowledge of Christ, our Lord and Savior, and where every member is continuing to grow in personal godliness towards Him.

We will strive to realize this vision by faithfully applying ourselves: to bring regular Biblical teaching on timely issues to husbands, wives, and parents; to provide encouraging peer support for our families; to maintain resources for equipping and assisting families to address key issues; and, to make available special events to edify our families and strengthen fellowship with one another.

Supplemental Statements

We recognize that as imperfect husbands and wives, we need Christ’s continual instruction and guidance to perfect the wonderful oneness that God has intended for us.

We recognize that as parents, we’ve been given a special calling to instruct our children in the fear of the Lord, and guide them to love Him and His ways. We recognize that we cannot adequately instruct or guide our children unless we ourselves are properly instructed and continually growing in the Lord.

We recognize that all our homes are imperfect, and that many of our homes are broken in some way. Still, we acknowledge that God is good; He is faithful and just; and, that He will meet us where we are, as we are. We believe that if we trust in Him, He will lead us from wherever it is we find ourselves, heal us, and allow every one of our homes to become the vibrant, Christ-centered homes that He desires for us.

Married Couple's Small Group

When	Where	Contact
1st & 3rd Fridays, 8:00 PM	Roger & Jessica Lin's Home	Jun Lee jsnatall@hotmail.com

Married Couple's Small Group Discussion Notes

Discussion notes will be made available for download before each meeting, so check back frequently!

Small Group Meeting Date	Discussion Topic/Sermon Title	Discussion Notes (pdf)
March 16, 2007	Brokenness and Dependence
February 16, 2007	Building the Body

ONLINE RESOURCES FOR YOUR FAMILY

	Focus on the Family
Updated:  Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:01 EST
	Family Life Today
Updated:  Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:01 EST God Sightings: Making God Real for Your Children Friday, May 7, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Shift: Building a Spiritual Legacy for the Next Generation Brian Haynes Is God real to your children? Pastor Brian Haynes encourages dads to take up the mantle of spiritual leadership in their homes by talking about God's truth to their children day by day. Faith Talks:Sharing God's Truth With Your Children Thursday, May 6, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Shift: Building a Spiritual Legacy for the Next Generation Brian Haynes Are you intentionally teaching your children about God? Pastor Brian Haynes exhorts parents to become their children's primary faith trainer. Brian shares how his own mother's faith legacy is being passed down through generations of his own family. Making Yourself Available Wednesday, May 5, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Entertaining for Eternity Nan McCullough Do you find it difficult to have a spiritual conversation with someone? Nan McCullough testifies to the power of hospitality and its ability to make people feel welcomed and cared for, and oftentimes open to the gospel message. Heavenly Hospitality Tuesday, May 4, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Entertaining for Eternity Nan McCullough Is the idea of evangelism intimidating to you? Perhaps it wouldn't be if you could do it in the comfort of your own home. Nan McCullough shares how easy it is. All it takes is a willing heart and a little dose of hospitality. Reaching Your Neighbors Through Hospitality Monday, May 3, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Entertaining for Eternity Nan McCullough Perhaps evangelism is as easy as inviting your neighbor over for coffee. Nan McCullough, who serves with her husband at the Christian Embassy in Washington, D.C., tells how hospitality can be the avenue through which you share Christ with others. Leaving and Cleaving Friday, April 30, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: She Still Calls Me Daddy With Robert and Bobbi Wolgemuth Has your relationship with your daughter changed since she got married? Good - it should. Today, parents Robert and Bobbi Wolgemuth talk about the changes they've experienced since their two daughters married. They also discuss the wisdom of leaving and cleaving. Befriending Your Son-in-Law Thursday, April 29, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: She Still Calls Me Daddy With Robert and Bobbi Wolgemuth Are you losing a daughter in marriage or gaining a son? Today, authors Robert and Bobbi Wolgemuth, parents of two daughters and now two sons-in-law, offer some helpful suggestions on how to relate to your daughter after marriage. The first suggestion they offer is to love her husband as much as you love her. Find out how on today's broadcast. Letting Go of Control Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Beautiful Womanhood: A Biblical, Practical Guide for Wives With Sandy Ralya There is drama in every marriage. Sandy Ralya has had her share. After a quick courtship, an unexpected pregnancy and 18 years of marriage to an angry and abusive man, Sandy finally saw God transform her relationship with Tom. Today, Sandy tells how she quit trying to control her husband and tried respecting him instead. A New Attitude Tuesday, April 27, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Beautiful Womanhood: A Biblical, Practical Guide for Wives With Sandy Ralya Sandy decided that, with God's help, her relationship with her husband, Tom, could and would be different. Today, Sandy talks about the new attitude she adopted, fueled by her faith in an Almighty God and the intervention and brief separation that finally got her husband's attention. Speaking the Truth in Love Monday, April 26, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Beautiful Womanhood: A Biblical, Practical Guide for Wives With Sandy Ralya Most couples experience disillusionment at some point in their marriage. Today, Sandy Ralya recalls the first meeting with her husband, Tom, and the whirlwind courtship that ensued. After the wedding, however, Sandy realized she had married an angry and emotionally abusive man. After years of disillusionment, find out how Sandy found freedom and hope. Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment Friday, April 23, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: When Sinners Say 'I Do' With Dave Harvey Are you a naturally merciful person? On the broadcast today, Dennis Rainey and author and pastor Dave Harvey talk about the magnitude of God's mercy toward His people. Find out how husbands and wives can extend this same kind of mercy toward their spouse. Love Always Forgives Thursday, April 22, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: When Sinners Say 'I Do' With Dave Harvey Today on the broadcast, Dennis Rainey talks with pastor Dave Harvey, author of the book When Sinners Say "I Do", about the reality of conflict in marriage and the gift of forgiveness we can offer our mate when disagreements occur. What Really Matters in Marriage Wednesday, April 21, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: When Sinners Say 'I Do' With Dave Harvey Do your beliefs about God affect your marriage? Author and pastor Dave Harvey thinks so. Today on the broadcast, Dave explains to Dennis Rainey that what we believe about God and what we believe about ourselves--namely that we are sinners saved by grace, is the solid foundation of a happy marriage. Understanding and Honoring Your Wife Part 2 Tuesday, April 20, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Understanding and Honoring Your Wife On today's broadcast, renowned speaker and author Dennis Rainey gives practical suggestions for loving your wife and honoring her in a way she'll truly understand. Understanding and Honoring Your Wife Part 1 Monday, April 19, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Understanding and Honoring Your Wife Today on the broadcast, FamilyLife President, Dennis Rainey, talks pointedly to men about understanding and honoring their wives. Knowing God's Will for Marriage Part 2 Friday, April 16, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Knowing God's Will for Marriage "To have and to hold from this day forward..." You said these vows at the altar, but what do they really mean? Today on the broadcast, Dennis Rainey talks about the covenant of marriage. You won't want to miss it! Knowing God's Will for Marriage Part 1 Thursday, April 15, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Knowing God's Will for Marriage What does it mean to take a vow of marriage? Today on the broadcast, renowned speaker Dennis Rainey, author of the book Starting Your Marriage Right, tells what it means to enter into a marriage covenant, citing examples from Genesis 15. Restoring a Marriage Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Undefiled With Dr. Harry Schaumburg How do you restore a marriage damaged by sexual addiction? Harry Schaumburg, a Christian counselor who has spent the last 30 years pointing people away from sexual sin to restored intimacy with God and others, tells husbands and wives how to develop trust again after sexual sin has invaded a marriage. Becoming Sexually Mature Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Undefiled With Dr. Harry Schaumburg Do you have a healthy view of sex? Harry Schaumburg, a Christian counselor who has helped 2,500 lay people and clergy with sexual addiction, talks about the different challenges men and women face in our overly sexualized culture, and offers a healthy definition of sexual maturity. Who Will Be Your God? Monday, April 12, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Undefiled With Dr. Harry Schaumburg Is sexual sin destroying your marriage? Harry Schaumburg, an expert in the field of sexual addition, talks frankly about the root of addiction, and how our wrong choices can quickly turn normal sexual desire into something that has more in common with idolatry. Hear Schaumburg explain how sexual addiction can be overcome with God's ever-present help. Surviving It: God Wants to Heal You Friday, April 9, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: The Emotionally Destructive Relationship With Leslie Vernick God cares about your relationships. Today Christian counselor Leslie Vernick tells how God healed the emotional wounds caused by her mother and tells others how to survive an abusive relationship. Stopping a Toxic Relationship: Truth About Change Thursday, April 8, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: The Emotionally Destructive Relationship With Leslie Vernick Are all conflicts created equal? Not necessarily, especially if you're in a toxic relationship, according to Christian counselor Leslie Vernick. Today Leslie talks about changing an emotionally destructive relationship into a healthy one, beginning with your own behavior and response. Diagnosing an Emotionally Destructive Relationship Wednesday, April 7, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: The Emotionally Destructive Relationship With Leslie Vernick Are you in an emotionally destructive relationship? Would you know if you were? Today licensed clinical social worker Leslie Vernick talks about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother and lists some of the tell-tale signs of an emotionally abusive relationship. Factors That Lead to a Strong Family Tuesday, April 6, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Close Kids: Connect Your Children for Life With Brett Johnston Your sibling relationships are the longest relationships you'll ever have. Wouldn't it be great then if you could do something now to ensure your children would stay close through adulthood? Well you can, says Brett Johnston, a father of three who surveyed 10,000 people about their sibling relationships. Join us to find out the key things families do that bond siblings for life. Binding Sibling Hearts Together Monday, April 5, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: Close Kids: Connect Your Children for Life With Brett Johnston Why are some siblings close, and others not? Father of three Brett Johnston wondered the same thing, so he went to work studying adult siblings and their relationships to each other. Today he reveals the number one reason people give for not being connected with their siblings, as well as the surest way to build close relationships among your kids. The Loss of a Beloved Son Friday, April 2, 2010 Host: Dennis Rainey Series: The Refuge of Faith With Gary Oliver One loss can send you reeling, but how does someone recover from two losses happening so close together? Well-known Christian psychologist Gary Oliver and his wife, Carrie, were praying their way through a diagnosis of cancer when their 23-year-old son, Matt, took his own life. Gary tells how God's faithfulness carried him through those dark days. Featured Resources  • Order resources related to Today's Broadcast   Special Offer - HomeBuilder ® Couples Series HomeBuilder ® Couples Series Your marriage is under construction every day. The HomeBuilders Couples Series was developed to help you build your marriage according to God's design. Each HomeBuilders small-group study focuses on real-life topics, practical application, and biblical truth. Whether you're newlyweds, empty nesters, or somewhere in between, connect with other couples - and find help and hope for your marriage. Special Offer - FamilyLife Bible Study for Couples FamilyLife Bible Study for Couples FamilyLife Bible Study for Couples helps couples explore the issues facing husbands and wives, such as resolving conflict, communicating effectively, raising godly children, loving difficult family members, and more. With firm biblical grounding, this seven-week study has applications for personal growth, individual reflection questions, and discussion questions for couples and small groups. Text Article: Five Keys to Your Man's Inner Heart  Are you a student of your husband? Text Article: When Opposites Attract in Marriage  Emperor Wang Tee of China is reported to have said to his wife, See Ling, "I have a problem. I notice that our mulberry trees are being damaged. I'd like for you to go and find out what's wrong with them." Text Article: Wishing He Were Your Husband  Pam is a faithful follower of Christ and very active in her church, so when she discovered her husband's pornography addiction, she felt betrayed. Text Article: He Wanted a Divorce ... She Wanted a Marriage  After 18 years of marriage, Scott Garmon woke up one morning, looked at his sleeping wife and thought, Who is this woman lying next to me? He began to weep. He felt something inside of him was missing. Text Article: He Led a Double Life  Scott Jennings never dreamed he would cross the line. But somehow it happened. Text Article: Guarding Our Daughters' Moral Purity  I was seated at my desk, barely able to concentrate. I shifted papers, opened drawers, glanced out the window. Text Article: Taming the Wild Tongues in Your Family  What would it be like to share your home with a lion, a cobra, a grizzly bear, and a grumpy pit bull who all suffer from persistent migraine headaches? Text Article: Men Who Won't Grow Up  Sometimes the simplest gesture can make a big statement. Text Article: 40 Lessons We Sought to Teach Our Children  Raising children requires huge chunks of time, prayer, discipline, involvement, and relationship-building. This list of values and traits has helped us focus on biblical priorities in raising children to become mature adults of faith and godly character. Text Article: My Husband Is an Overbearing Jerk...and I'm a Pouty Little Snot  A few weeks ago I was speaking to a friend who said she knew 10 couples who were headed toward divorce. In each case it was because the wife decided it wasn't worth the hassle to work at it. She'd had enough and she was out of there. I struggle to comprehend how a woman can give up on her family without fighting for it. Actually, I get angry. It seems like such an unbelievable display of selfishness. Text Article: 10 Ideas for Holiday Romance  My husband, David, recently had to travel out of town for several days. The first night he was gone, I was sad as I drove home from work thinking about shopping and putting up Christmas decorations by myself. Text Article: Five Essentials for a Thriving Marriage  he demands of life, family, and work can cloud your attitude toward the one you chose to accompany you through life. Text Article: Why We Need to Teach Our Children About Gratitude  One of the great privileges of my life has been visiting orphanages in places like Russia, China, and South Africa. Text Article: Five Things I Wish I'd Known Before Marriage  I've been thinking a lot lately about what couples should know before they get married.