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In-Laws

Classik

Classik

Member
Why so hard (if not difficult to some) relating with our in-laws? Should we not take them as our own brothers and sisters?

* When last did you phone up your in-law?
* When last did you visit one?
* When last did you welcome them to your place?
* When last did you take care of their difficulties?
* When last did you preach Christ to them?
* When last did you put them first on your list?
* When last did you apologise to them?


# Are they not our brothers?
# Are they not our sisters?
# Are they not our mothers?
# Are they not our fathers?
# Are they not our family member?
# Are they not our best friends?
# Are they not our confidants?


I know some of us would find these hard to believe and accept. They are like our biological brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers
 
COPING WITH OUR IN-LAWS
TEXTS: EX.18:1-24, MATT. 8:14,15, MK. 1:29-34, LK. 4:38-41
MEMORYVERSE: MT. 7:12

AIM: To encourage godly relationship with our in-laws as well as be a light to them. Encourage harmonious relationship that glorifies God and blesses people.
INTRODUCTION: In-laws can be very helpful but in many practical experiences the relationship between in-laws and couples have tended towards a frosty situation, due to so many factors. We should not allow our in-laws to sour our relationship with God, rather we should live as Christians and fulfill our physical and spiritual obligations towards them. They are members of our families and relatives by marriage, we should regard them as such not strangers who are encroaching on our lives.
 
1. WHO ARE OUR IN-LAWS (EX. 18:1) They are the parents of the couple, hence our relatives by marriage. So we can know them as father-in-laws or mother- in-laws as the case maybe. From the passages, where did Jesus meet Peter's wife's mother? What does it teach you about in-laws?
 
2 HOW ARE WE TO RELATE EX.18:1-24 a. From the Couple:
i. We are to take care and support them (Lk. 4:38)
ii. Bring them to Christ and fellowship with God.
iii. To show them honour and respect, and be concerned about their welfare (Ex. 18:8).
iv. To show them what the Lord is doing, and can do through them.
v. Receive their godly counsel (vs. 24).

What are other ways we can relate with them?


b. From the In-laws
i. They should rejoice with us (Ex. 18:19)
ii. They should bless God and worship Him with us (vs. 10-11)
iii. Accept us as we are
iv. They should encourage us to make more sacrifices in our service to God (vs. 12).
v. Give us godly and parental counsel (Ex. 18:19)
vi. They should keep us company.
Name other area they can benefit us as in-laws
 
3. COPINGWITH IN-LAWS
Occasionally, the relationship with our in-laws sours, through so many of these circumstances that may arise: i. Financial upkeep of them ii. Overbearing influence in our marriage eg.
* dictating how the family should be ran *Giving wrong advices, when there are no children.
iii. Selfishness
iv. Cultural antecedents
v. Wickedness etc.


State other issues that can raise disafifection with our in-laws. How do we handle each of these?

vi. The burden of their old age, upkeep and burial.
 
4. Letting go of our Anxlety:
Foigiving doesn't necessarily guarantee easier lives. We still have to deal with difficult people and face the stress of life. There are pressures beyond our control that will wear us down, if we aren't careful to release them to God. The Apostle Paul gave us a strategy to help us deal with the troubles of daily life. "Let heaven fill your thoughts..." (Col. 3:2-3). NLT.
Jesus as we have to continually forgive, we also have to continually release our worries and specific needs to God. He will in turn, protect us and give us the peace that passes all understanding (Philip. 4:6-7)
 
CONCLUSION
To cope is to manage your situation and relationship in such a way as to be a blessing to those around you and glorify God. Each and every one of us should realize that someday we may become in-laws.
 
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?


These words of Jesus sound great! Doing His Word is not so easy as posting it.
 
Classik said:
Why so hard (if not difficult to some) relating with our in-laws? Should we not take them as our own brothers and sisters?

* When last did you phone up your in-law?
* When last did you visit one?
* When last did you welcome them to your place?
* When last did you take care of their difficulties?
* When last did you preach Christ to them?
* When last did you put them first on your list?
* When last did you apologise to them?


# Are they not our brothers?
# Are they not our sisters?
# Are they not our mothers?
# Are they not our fathers?
# Are they not our family member?
# Are they not our best friends?
# Are they not our confidants?


I know some of us would find these hard to believe and accept. They are like our biological brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers
Click to expand...


yeah this is a checking, I'm not really close with my brother-in-law, i felt bad when my older sister got married to him earlier on their marriage i refuse to talk to him but when they have their very first son it was change from feeling bad to acceptance. I love my nephew he's very cute. :)
 
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