May 10, 2026

LIFE’S QUESTIONS: A FAMILY WORTH FIGHTING FOR

May 10, 2026

Senior Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Today, we continue with our questions from the congregation, addressing concerns or confusions, with answers from the Bible. We will add additional questions that come in during the sermon. The topic today is how to have a family worth fighting for. All families are worth fighting for, but like most fights, it will be won by those who have trained themselves. And while you are fighting to raise godly children in a broken world, Satan will be doing all he can to see that you lose. God reminds you that through Him, you can win. But not by yourself—never, by yourself. This is one of those battles that will be won on your knees, with all the family involved.

Focal Passages: Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 5:22-33.

The Starting Line:

• Read Ephesians 5:22-25. No matter what we undertake in life, do we normally need to have some idea of what is involved, or—if it’s a game—we must know the rules? If it is a game with a ‘starting line’, what are some of the ways you can screw up before you’ve started? How can you start wrong in a marriage? Why does Satan want to fight against you?
• In the Scripture passage we read, how can you misunderstand what God has given as a recipe for a happy marriage? Read Gen. 2:18. What type of woman did God make for Adam? If you told your spouse that you wanted a car comparable to the one you now have, what would you mean? So, Eve was made ‘comparable’ to Adam? Was she less than Adam? What was her role? Did she work as hard (if not harder)?
• Why is it imperative that one understands submission as a voluntary, respectful, and purposeful alignment with a husband’s leadership, reflecting a partnership of equals, comparable to, but not inferior to? Read Eph. 5:24. How do you interpret that the wife is to submit to their husband in everything? What did God mean here?
• Is there any place for abuse, verbal or physical, within a Christian marriage? Has Christ, even once, been impatient or curt with you? Do most people never speak to friends or acquaintances with the same sharp tongue that is sometimes used against their spouse? How can you change?
• How does Christ love the church? As the Savior of the church body, did He do all He could to provide forgiveness from your sins? Then, as a spouse, are you doing all you can to see that your mate is able to grow in their love for the Lord?

The Goal: 

• Read Eph. 5:26-33. What is the result that you are hoping for in your marriage? Husband, how does God expect your wife to be loved, according to these verses? What other goals do the two of you have?
• How will you use what you learn in your marriage? Why is it important to surround yourself with people who are older and more experienced—and have a loving marriage?
• Why is the goal to get things ‘right’ in your marriage? Is it possible? How? How does Christ love the church? When you had done everything wrong, did He still die for you?
• Recently, a sign read, “If your daughter dated a man like you, how would you feel?” That is actually a valid question, so—how would you feel?

The Reward:

• Read Eph. 6:1-4. Have you hoped to have children? Do you and your spouse have the same goals for your children? Are you in sync so far as discipline goes? Why are these questions not only important, but imperative?
• Did you talk about children prior to marriage? (It might surprise you to know a ‘significant’ number don’t.) Why is it important to discuss children early in a relationship?
• Why is it important for children to see the hierarchy of love in the husband/wife relationship? Why will that be a model for the children?
• How important is this: ‘If you show your kids that you love your spouse, you can give them nothing better’? How do you model the perfect picture of Christ?

What can parents do to leave the most positive impact on their children? Be a role model of Jesus Christ, teaching them, showing them, and modeling for them that Christ is first in your life, your spouse is second, and the children are third. Prioritize your life so you are spending enough time with them that they know beyond a doubt that you love them.

How can a parent prioritize attention between the spouse and the children? Prioritize your life so that both your spouse and children understand how important each is to you. Be certain the children know that the spouse has needs just as they do, and you must teach them that your spouse was before them—they are all important, but there are priorities for you, just as there are for them.

How do you protect your home in these days of constant social media?  This is a place where your children must learn that mom and dad’s rules are strict: regulate screen time and phone time, and set as many boundaries as possible to protect them. Social media is barraging us at this time, trying to tempt young kids to accept deadly challenges. Keep your guard up. This is warfare.

What does real forgiveness and reconciliation look like when there are wounds? If there are wounds, forgive the one who caused them, knowing there will be times when you, also, need to be forgiven. If reconciliation is desired, forgiveness must be first, and it must be full and free. Are you able to talk through it? Then do so. This does not apply in cases of abuse. If you want to study a true, godly picture of marital forgiveness and reconciliation, go to Justin Kintzel on Facebook.

Close: Remember that your dependence on God is the one thing that will get you through any situation! Place your faith in Him, let Him handle it, while you pray. Don’t help God unless He asks you for it. He can do it without you getting in the way. He’s able and willing. Just pray.

By Sandy Day

May 10, 2026