David: Families

****This Devotional Blog ties in with my Podcast, "David: Families" at http://tompounder.podomatic.com/ or go to iTunes and type in Tom Pounder under the Podcast menu.****

Opening Question:
If you were to relate your family to a TV family, which family would it be?

I tried and tried to think of a TV family my life could be compared to, but nothing came up. Actually, the only “family” I could think of was the show Cheers. It actually wasn’t a family, but a bunch of friends who had much of the same characteristics of a family. I could identify most of my family as members of that show. There was no Norm, but my family consisted of Cliff Cleaven – the one who knows something about everything, Frasier – the psychiatrist, and Sam Malone – sports star – not me, but my older brother.

This week, we are continuing our series on the life and David by talking about family relationships. What makes for a good family and what are some signs of dysfunction. More importantly, where does God fit in?

Now, before we get into talking about David’s dysfunctional family, I need to give you some background on the main character in this story, Absalom. Absalom was:
- The 3rd son of David
- Very handsome
- He killed Amnon, David’s oldest son as revenge for raping his sister (Amnon’s half sister)
He fled after the killing
- David finally brought him back to Jerusalem after 3 years. However, he didn’t even see him for another 2 years after that
- Now, Absalom is starting to get a desire to be king and will do anything to get it.

Can you say dysfunction? How many more signs of dysfunction do you want? - murder, rape and alienation of family members – that’s quite a start.

Let’s pick up the story here.

Scripture

Read 2 Samuel 15:1-13
1. What happened in this story?
2. Why was he trying to dethrone his dad?
3. Where is the dysfunction here?

For reasons unknown, David's own son, was trying to detrone him! Let's see, murder, rape, alienation - now add hostile take-over to this family. Absalom ended up taking over the kingdom for a bit as David fled. However, his Kingship was short lived as he was killed in a battle against David’s men.

As I have pointed out time and again from the background and this story, David’s family is full of dysfunction. Which leads me to a point – not the main point, but a point. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOU DO, FAMILIES ARE FULL OF DYSFUCTION! No family is perfect – all of us have strange quirks. If you don’t know that now, you will when you are married.

So, if all families are full of dysfunction, is there any way your family can not be full of dysfunction, but healthy?

Yes, you and your family can have healthy relationships. It is found in Ephesians 6

Application

What are characteristics of healthy families (Read Ephesians 6:1-4)?
1. Children listening and obeying their parents
2. Children honoring their parents – comes with a promise to live long
3. Fathers not provoking their children to anger, but
4. Fathers bring up his children in the Lord

I want you to know, these are not the only 4 characteristics of healthy families, but it is a start. To look up more, try your Bible dictionary.

Are these characteristics of your family? If not, what ways can you listen, obey and honor your parents this week?

Remember, you can only control your part. You cannot control what your parents do, you can only control your attitude. Will you listen, obey and honor them this week?

That is the challenge. Healthy families are not the norm, but they are possible - do your part and pray for your family.