Family Redefined
Text: Mark 3:21, 31-35 (NRSV) 21 When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind. 31 Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” 33 And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
Proposition: God’s family is obedient to His Will. Biological family members are important, but there is a greater consequence in the family of God.
Antithesis: There are some serious problems in the African American Community. The family is being destroyed; nearly 70 percent of all African American infants are born to unwed mothers. Crime is rampant; it's projected that 28 percent of all African American males will be incarcerated in their lifetime. And there's high unemployment, drug use, poverty, and deficiencies in education. I believe that the overarching concern in our communities is that there is a breakdown in many households. In Virginia alone 1,300 children are without families. The modern black family has seen a change from the 1940s-1950s traditional nuclear family to extended families, and too often no family at all. I know a 12 year-old-girl, for example, who was devastated by her mother’s death, which changed the face of her family. Not only did she lose her mother, but she also lost her brothers – all relegated to a system called Social Services, or Welfare children to never live together again as a family.
Thesis: Our text reminds us that family support is important. When we are in a difficult situation family members show up to protect us. Mark 3:21, says, “When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, ”He has gone out of his mind.’” The family was concerned about Jesus being called something he was not, but he was uninterested. He was about doing God’s will. He understood “it is not good that the man should be alone; but he also understood that his family was not only the family he was born into; but his family was now redefined as those doing the will of God. All humanity wants a loving, supportive family unaffected by separation, whether by life circumstances or by death. And to be in the family of God is to be unaffected by death, because it is an eternal family.
Relevant question: “How does Jesus redefine family?
Synthesis:
Family is very important part of our everyday life. It helps us in improving our personality. It also helps us in shaping our life. It teaches us the value of love, affection, care, truthfulness and self-confidence and provides us tools and suggestions which are necessary to get success in life.
Family is a place where you can be yourself. It is a place where you are accepted for what you are. This is where you are completely tension free and everyone is there to help you. Family encourages you when you are surrounded by problems. It helps you survive through tough times and bring joy and happiness into life.
Decency is very important in the communication of daily life. It helps us make strong relationship with others and make us come across as a very gentle, intelligent and likable person. Everyone loves to be in a company of such person. Family helps bring decency into our life which is necessary to lead a happy life.
One of the most important aims of our life is to build a successful and highly rewarding career. Our families help us in creating a strong future. It gives us valuable suggestion about different career prospective. It not only guides us in choosing the best but also financially helps us to cover the expenses of education. Thus it helps us in making a good future.
The importance of family is probably realized when one went