Proverbs for the Marriage and Family

What Does the Bible Say about Dating?

November 12, 2023 • D. Kevin Brown • Song of Songs 2:7

“What Does the Bible Say About Dating?” Nothing. Yes, you read that correctly. Nothing. The concept of “dating” is not in the Bible. Therefore, since that is the case, how are people supposed to be able to discern who they’re supposed to marry? Well, join us as we see how we’re supposed to navigate premarital relationships and what God’s purpose is in those relationships. Hint: it’s nothing like the current “system” we call “dating.” It’s something much better! Join us!

Parents: What To Do When Your Child Walks Away

November 5, 2023 • D. Kevin Brown • Proverbs 23:24–25

It happens. You teach and train and do the best you can to raise your children to follow the Lord, but what do you do when one walks away? Then what? Well, thankfully we have a passage in Scripture about the “Prodigal (wayward) Son” that helps us know what to do. Join us as we see that all is not lost, if they walk away. Hope remains! Come be with us! You’ll be encouraged!

Parenting: Teaching and Training Children

October 29, 2023 • D. Kevin Brown • Proverbs 1:8–9

It’s been said, “Parenting is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do as a person.” Anyone who is a parent knows that statement to be true. Yet, there are principles in Scripture that guide us and provide instructions for how to raise children, and while there are no “cookie-cutter” answers, there is great encouragement to be gleaned from Proverbs. Join us as we do just that as we look at the “nuts and bolts” of parenting and talk about: “Parenting: Teaching and Training Children.”

Parenting: Going Beyond the Behavior

October 22, 2023 • D. Kevin Brown • Proverbs 13:24

Should parents expect their children to obey? The easy answer is: Yes. But, how? What are the biblical principles for discipline and how should discipline be seen by Christian parents? This message will once again go against the grain of culture, but as we’ve seen, God’s Word does not change with the culture. Join us as we see how discipline must be directed toward the heart and not the behavior. We’ll see that when you get to the heart, you get to the behavior: “Parenting: Going Beyond the Behavior.”

Divorce, Remarriage, and Singleness

October 15, 2023 • D. Kevin Brown • Proverbs 11:29, Proverbs 26:20

We’ve been discussing marriage and family over the last several weeks, but we cannot give this discussion full consideration without bringing up divorce, remarriage, and singleness. It remains true: divorce statistics are almost identical within the church, as they are outside of the church. So, what are the conditions given in scripture for divorce? How does a “separation” come in to play? What about abuse? Join us as we biblically address each of these topics and be encouraged by the Word of God.

The Role of Children

October 8, 2023 • D. Kevin Brown • Proverbs 20:11

Scripture says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward…” Indeed they are! Children are a blessing and they have a role to play within the family economy. What is that role? Scripture says they are to obey and honor their parents. Are yours? What does that look like? We’ll see today “The Role of Children,” and we’ll be encouraged to see how to have homes that are peaceful and joyful in the midst of a chaotic world.

The Role of Parents

October 1, 2023 • D. Kevin Brown • Proverbs 14:26

Are your children confident in you? Do they trust that you have their best interests at heart? Proverbs 14:26 says: “In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. God has designed the home with roles for Dads, moms and children to operate in within that family. These roles are defined by Scripture. Join us as we see: “The Role of Parents” and understand how God has designed the home to function. Buckle up. This message will go totally against the grain of the culture we’re all immersed in today.

What Do Children Need?

September 24, 2023 • D. Kevin Brown • Proverbs 22:6

We receive our children from the Lord, not as lumps of clay that we get to mold into what we want, as parents; but instead, to be molded into what God has “bent” them to be. Proverbs 22:6 teaches: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” That means God has made each child with a set of abilities, intellectual capacities, and gifts that are suited specifically for them and how God wants them to be. Join us as we see how God has designed our children in unique and specific ways, as we ask: “What Do Children Need?”

What Do Husbands Need?

September 17, 2023 • D. Kevin Brown • Proverbs 12:25

Last week we learned what wives need and this Sunday we’re going to see what husbands need. Proverbs 12:25 says: "Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Many men live paralyzed as husbands and fathers. They’re like a turtle who keeps his head in his shell, afraid to come out. Therefore, many husbands are not leading in their homes. Now we are going to see how men can be encouraged to lead and not be afraid to do so. Join us as we see: “What Do Husbands Need?"

What Do Wives Need?

September 10, 2023 • D. Kevin Brown • Proverbs 15:13–17, Ephesians 5:33

We now continue in our study of "Marriage and Family,” and we’ll see how men and women have been created by God very differently. Scripture teaches that happy homes have wives who are loved by their husbands and husbands who are respected by their wives. Sound different? It is, and in that difference, we'll ask: “What Do Wives Need?” We’ll see wives need to feel loved by their husbands and that love will manifest itself as: Closeness, Openness, Understanding, Peacemaking, Loyalty and Esteem, (COUPLES). This will be a message of encouragement for our ladies!

September 3, 2023 • D. Kevin Brown • Proverbs 1:5–7

We all know it. You can feel it. You can see it. No one has to tell you that the family in America is a shell of what it used to be. Homes are disintegrating before our eyes, and it’s not just in the world, it’s also in the church. Now we’ll begin a new series: “Proverbs for the Marriage and Family.” We’re going to take an 11-week, deep-dive into what the Proverbs teach us about marriage, the family, and living life in our homes. We’re going to be encouraged and challenged and we’re going to begin with Solomon and his family, going back to his father, David. We’re going to see dysfunction and trials. But we’ll also see hope and reconciliation. Join us!