5/26/2026 Weekly Bible message

5/26/2026 Weekly Bible message

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 1:01

Good afternoon and welcome back to the weekly Bible Podcast. I'm your host, Mark Williams, and I'm here once again with my lovely wife Charity for another episode in our Back to the Blueprint series. This episode is called Blended Families Done God's Way, Putting Kids First.

SPEAKER_02 1:18

And today we are talking about something that a lot of families are living, but not many people talk honestly about blended families.

SPEAKER_00 1:29

Yeah, not just and not just surviving them, but doing them God's way.

SPEAKER_02 1:36

And we know this one personally. Between us, we have nine kids, and two of our boys are still at home.

SPEAKER_00 1:45

Yeah, and two, and those two are technically my sons.

SPEAKER_02 1:49

But they're mine too. I don't see a difference. And they shouldn't feel one. Blended families, they can be beautiful, but let's be honest, they can also be very complicated.

SPEAKER_00 2:02

Yeah, kids often have often already gone through a lot, you know, divorce, moving back and forth, uh adjusting to new homes.

SPEAKER_02 2:11

And sometimes they feel like they're being pulled in different directions. Psalm 127-3 says, Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb of a reward. They're not problems to manage, they are people to protect. And one thing I feel very strongly about is this kids should never feel like they're in the middle. They are not messengers, they are not referees, they are not ragdolls being passed back and forth.

SPEAKER_00 2:45

Yeah, they they didn't choose the situation, but they're living in it.

SPEAKER_02 2:52

So we made a decision. We're going to put the kids first, not our pride or our feelings, the kids. And that means learning how to co-parent. Yes, I said it, co-parent. So some key practices that we've learned that work pretty well for us is communicate clearly, stay respectful, keep things about the kids, not the past. And that includes how you talk about the other parent. Never, ever speak badly about the other parent in front of your children. Ever. Or for that matter, did I say ever? Never, ever speak badly. Ephesians 4 29 says, Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits this occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. That doesn't mean everything was perfect or is perfect. It means you choose to protect your child's heart.

SPEAKER_00 4:00

Yeah, one of one of the best things you can give your kids is peace between the adults.

SPEAKER_02 4:07

It is so important to get along. Be kind, be compassionate, communicate. And honestly, if you can do things together occasionally, it means more to your kids than you realize. Your child doesn't need two separate worlds, they need to know they are loved in one united family. If you're a stepparent, this is important, love them like your own. Be patient. Trust, it takes time. First Corinthians 13, 4 through 7 says, Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast. It is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love is patient, love is kind. That applies here too.

SPEAKER_00 5:15

Yeah, and don't try to replace the other parent. Just be consistent, safe and loving and uh presence.

SPEAKER_02 5:27

I agree. Never ever try to take the place of the child's mother or father. Know your role and understand that you didn't give birth or help create this child, and you didn't have anything honestly to do with creating them. They are truly a gift from God, and it's such a blessing that you get to be in that child's life. Just love them and be there for them. Don't ever treat any of your biological children differently from your stepchildren. They should all be treated equally. And at the end of the day, kids don't need perfection.

SPEAKER_00 6:09

No, they don't. They they need stability, they need love, they need to feel safe. They need to know the adults in their life, care more about them than their differences. Um let's go to Colossians 3:14, and it says, And above all those, uh these I put on put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

SPEAKER_02 6:34

Blended families, they can work not perfectly, but beautifully when done God's way.

SPEAKER_00 6:41

And when we focus, uh, when the focus stays where it belongs on kids on God and the kids. Remember, when you put God at the center of your relationship and family, he will bless you and your family because he is a loving father.

SPEAKER_02 6:59

Yes, he is. And one thing many parents do not realize is how deeply children are affected spiritually and emotionally by conflict inside the home. Children may not always express their feelings openly, but they carry the weight of tension, division, and instability. As Christian parents and stepparents, we are called to create an atmosphere of peace, safety, and love where children can grow emotionally and spiritually. Proverbs 22.6 reminds us to train up a child in the way he should go. And when he is old, he will not depart from it. Children are watching how adults handle conflict, forgiveness, communication, and grace.

SPEAKER_00 7:52

When children see adults choosing humility over pride, um, and peace over bitterness, they learn how what Christ-like love looks like in their life. Forgiveness is one of the hard most one of the hardest, most important parts of a blended family. Um there are there may be wounds from previous relationships, divorce, betrayal, hurtful words or disappointment. But if bitterness is allowed to stay in the home, uh children will feel the effects of it. You know, spirit uh scripture teaches us in Ephesians 4, 31 and through 32 to put away the bitterness, wrath, anger, and evil speaking, and instead be kind, forgiving, and just as Christ forgave us.

SPEAKER_02 8:44

Forgiveness does not mean pretending pain never happened. It means refusing to let pain control your future. A healthy, blended family requires adults willing to heal, grow, and seek God daily. Trust is not automatic in blended families, it is built slowly through consistency, patience, and love. Stepparents don't ever force relationships or demand immediate acceptance. Children often need time to process changes and develop emotional security.

SPEAKER_00 9:22

Yeah, sometimes the greatest ministry as a stepparent can have is simply just showing up consistently, being dependable, and listening carefully and loving without conditions. Uh Galatians 6 9 says not to grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we if we do not give up. Blended families need more than rules and routines. They need Christ at the center. Praying together, attending church together, studying scripture together, and openly talking about faith helps create unity inside the home.

SPEAKER_02 10:03

And when when children see parents seeking God together, it creates stability and security. Joshua twenty-four, fifteen says, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. And um, children, they thrive in environments where expectations are consistent. Consistency builds trust and emotional safety. Blended families can sometimes struggle because children move from different homes with different rules and expectations and parenting styles.

SPEAKER_00 10:48

While every household may operate differently, uh, adults should strive to provide structure, communication, and stability whenever possible. Uh consistency and discipline, uh, affection, encouragement, and spiritual leadership helps children feel secure.

SPEAKER_02 11:08

And sometimes um, I know with our um situation, it helps to talk to both the to the other family. Um and you come together and help each other figure out what rules that you may need. And maybe the rules need to be the same in both households until the behaviors or whatever you're having problems with it fixes, but still having the same, I think, structure, yeah, it really helps the children a lot. And conflict will happen in every family, including blended families. The difference is how conflict is handled. Children should not witness constant fighting, insults, manipulation, or disrespect between adults. James 1 9 teaches us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

SPEAKER_00 11:59

Yeah, healthy communication involves listening, speaking with grace, and being willing to apologize when wrong. Uh, sometimes one of the greatest lessons children can learn is seeing adults reconcile in a healthy, godly manner.

SPEAKER_02 12:17

And single parents considering remarriage should move prayerful prayerfully and carefully. Children need time to adjust emotionally before major transitions occur. And I know personally, I totally failed at this. Totally failed with my children. Um, I d what I would say is definitely don't be even thinking about getting married until at least you are single or dating for at least a year. And I saw therapist after therapist, and they were like, Charity, you need to, you need to stop. You need to stop, you need to wait a year. And I was like, uh, and definitely do not get on dating sites and scroll. Do not. You are not gonna find love that you're looking for. You, I mean, yes, sure. It does happen on occasion for some people, but more than likely you're gonna find a lot of trouble. And your children have already been through so much. You've got to stop, keep your eyes on Jesus, and pray and focus on your children and focus on learning who you are, who God created you to be. And a future um spouse, they should value, respect, and love your children rather than viewing them as any kind of an obstacle.

SPEAKER_00 13:40

Yeah, parents must protect their children emotionally, they must protect them spiritually and physically. Um, let's go to Psalm 668, verse 5. Describes God as a father to the fatherless and a defender of the widows. God deeply cares about families and children. And the end of the day, blended families are not built on perfection, they they are built on grace, patience, sacrifice, and unconditional love.

SPEAKER_02 14:15

Yes, and there's gonna be some hard days, there's gonna be misunderstandings and moments where everyone feels completely stretched emotionally. Oh, we've been there, right? But God, it's always but God, but God, He can restore, He can rebuild and strengthen whatever feels broken. Families that pray together, forgive one another because you're gonna mess up. Even if you're the parent, you're gonna mess up, and be willing to tell your child, hey, I messed up, I'm sorry. Communicate honestly and keep Christ at the sinner, can experience, you can experience healing and unity. No child, and I mean no child, should ever feel unwanted, unloved, or forgotten. Every child deserves to know they are valued, protected, and deeply loved by their family and by God.

SPEAKER_00 15:16

You want to say a prayer together?

SPEAKER_02 15:18

Yeah. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of family. We thank you for every parent, stepparent, grandparent, and child listening today. Lord, blended families can sometimes be difficult, but nothing is too hard for you. Bring healing where there has been hurt, peace where there has been conflict, and unity where there has been division. Help parents lead with wisdom, patience, and compassion. Protect the hearts and minds of children, and remind them daily they are loved and valued. Teach us to forgive quickly, communicate lovingly, and walk humbly before you. May our homes be filled with prayer, grace, mercy, and truth.

SPEAKER_00 16:13

May our strengthen our marriage, strengthen marriages, restore broken relationships. Sorry.

SPEAKER_02 16:20

And let your presence fill every home represented here today. In Jesus' mighty name.

SPEAKER_00 16:28

Amen. Thank you for listening and please share and comment. It helps us get out to everybody. And you can join us on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. in person at Lifeline Church Peterstown or on our live stream on YouTube or Carla Bragg's Facebook page. We have Lifeline Kids every Sunday morning.

SPEAKER_02 16:48

And I bet you can't guess who would be down there with the children. Me! Go figure. I do love all of the children.

SPEAKER_00 16:57

You do a really good job with it.

SPEAKER_02 16:58

Oh, thanks.

SPEAKER_00 16:59

You can also join us on Wednesday evenings at 6 for men's and women's small groups of Bible study and kids and youth on Wednesday. Um Sunday evenings is a youth meeting at 6.

SPEAKER_02 17:13

It is, and we have so much fun.

SPEAKER_00 17:15

Yeah. And on Friday evenings, starting at 5:30, is celebrate recovery.

SPEAKER_02 17:20

And don't get confused about celebrate recovery. It's just not about drug uh drug addiction or things like that. Hertz, habits, hangups. We've all got something to recover from. I love celebrate recovery.

SPEAKER_00 17:32

And don't forget about Bible school coming up. You'll be, yeah, of course. The 22nd through 26th from six to eight.

SPEAKER_02 17:41

Called King Kingdom Seekers. We're building big castles. Oh my gosh, it's gonna be so much fun. I'm so excited.

SPEAKER_00 17:48

Uh thank you for listening in today and God bless you.