Scriptures: 1 Chronicles 29:11, Proverbs 19:21, 16:1, 16:9, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Psalm 65:2, James 5:16, Romans 10:9, 1 John 5:13

Don't we all have great expectations for our family? We want the family that others see in that family portrait to be the family that lives together every day. When you get married, you have that picture perfect family in your mind—the husband, the wife, the two children, the dog and it is just all one big happy family all the time. We also know the hard truth is our real family is not the one hanging on the wall. The real family is the one that lives in your home day in and day out. The real family does not always live up to the expectations of that family portrait. In this message, Dr. Merritt shares simple biblical principles for a God-centered family—one which lives up to the smiling faces in the picture frame.

"From a biblical perspective, it doesn't take a village to raise a child. It takes a family to raise a child and that is why every broke home is a tragedy. I want you to understand that there are many of you here today in broken homes through no fault of your own. There are single parents here today who did not choose to be a single parent and your family is every bit as special to God as a family that is intact, which is why God says in His word, 'I'll be a husband to the widow and a Father to the orphan.' God's expectation for the family involves every member of that family seeking to glorify Him by fulfilling his or her God given role and responsibility." --Dr. Merritt

Keywords: family, husband, wife, father, mother, children, responsibility, single, parent, blended, home, purpose, passion, plan, design