THE FIRST PRINCIPLES SERIES II

Book 5 Enjoying Your Relationship

Stable Families
We believe that the scriptures reveal the fact that the family is a divine and not a man-made
institution. Paul, for example, wrote the Corinthians that “neither is the man without the woman,
neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.”(1 Corinthians 11:11) Family Stability means the
characteristics of a family that support healthy child development, including parental mental health,
stable relationships, and a supportive, flexible, and nurturing home environment.( Ephesians 5:22–6:9,
Colossians 3:18–4:1, Titus 1:9–11)

Basic Design for Marriage.

We believe that a truly Christian marriage will mirror the relationship between Christ and the
church. Paul sets before us an example for us to look to in our marriages. Look to the relationship of
Christ and the church. Everything in this section of text used this image for both wives and husbands so
we would know how to act properly and walk worthy of our calling in our marriages. (Ephesians 5:22–
33).

Spirit of a Marriage.

We believe that the wife is supposed to submit not because of her husband but because of her
relationship with Christ. It’s not when he brings her flowers or does the dishes. It’s submission because
Christ commands it. When Peter says “in the same way,” he means that women are to submit just as
men should, each to the appropriate authorities. (1 Peter 3:1-7).

Marriage and Community Life.

We believe that a marriage relationship is fully enjoyed in the context of true community.
Anything else places demands on the relationship that were never intended in God’s design. Important
structural elements of family life such as subordination, commitment, and complementary roles for men
and women must be restored in order to strengthen family relationships. (Titus 2:3-5).
 Building an Intergenerational Commitment.

We believe that the key principle here is that; take care of your parents if they need help,
especially if one has passed leaving the other by herself. Even if they were not very good parents you
should still show kindness and love to them. And all the more, if they lovingly raised you and took care
of you for years. (1Timothy 5:1–16)

Book 6: PASSING ON YOUR BELIEFS

Family Breakdown.
We believe that the breakdown of the family is a sign of the last days. Timothy’s spiritual root
was his grandmother his mother and Paul. Timothy was to remember the Scriptures that he had learned
as a child. Any Scriptures and godly principles that children learn when they are young have a good
chance of staying in their hearts and producing results in the future. (2 Timothy 3:1–17).

Basic Design for Family Life.

We believe that children to obey their parents because it is right, it is commanded and it is part
of their responsibility as Christians.  And he urges parents to not provoke their children, to not
discourage them, but to rather raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. In contrast to
the norms of Paul’s day and ours, fathers especially must be gentle and patient discipliners and teachers
of their children.  They must care for their children as God cares for his.  They must love their children as
God loves his. (Ephesians 6:1–4).

Disciplining Children.
The command for children is stated simply, they are to obey their parents in everything, but the
motivation for the command is what makes it uniquely Christian. The reason children are to obey is
because it pleases the Lord. As Christians our aim is not simply to follow rules, but to live as those who
are ‘in Christ’ and to glorify God by following His plan and His commands.  As Christian parents it is part
of our responsibility to help our kids understand the realities of sin, the need for repentance and
forgiveness and the gifts of mercy and grace that are available through Jesus. (. Colossians 3:20–21).

Family in Community Life.

We believe that older men and women have the responsibility to “train” younger men and
women by their devout and pious examples of behavior, women to love their husbands and children, to
be self controlled, chaste, good homemakers, under the control of their husbands, so that the word of
God may not be discredited elicits some criticism in the modern age. (Titus 2:1–9).
 Managing Our Households.

We believe that this qualification to “manage his own household well” forges a special
relationship, among the other requirements, between church leadership and domestic
husbanding, fathering, “leading” also implies more than mere responsiveness. (1Timothy 3:4–5).

Book 7: ENVISIONING FRUITFUL LIFEWORK

Created for Good Works.

We believe that the good works are done in obedience to God's commandments, are the fruits
and evidences of a true and lively faith: and by them believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen
their assurance, edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the Gospel, stop the mouths of the
adversaries, and glorify God, whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, that,
having their fruit unto holiness, they may have the end, eternal life these good works flow from a
changed life. (Ephesians 2:8–10).

Masters, Slaves, and Work.

We believe that obedience to those placed over us should be given in the fear of the Lord. The
expression “fear and trembling” is used in the Bible to describe how human beings stand before a holy
God. Thus it is obedience in the fear of the Lord which should characterize our service to those in charge
of us. For those who are business owners, employers or supervisors, Paul’s teaching is simple and clear:
Do the same! Now, obviously, you are not to obey those who work under you, but you are to treat them
with the same sincerity of heart, generosity and good will that you expect them to offer to you .
(Ephesians 6:5–9).

Disciplined Work Ethic.

We believe that working hard and doing a good job should characterize every Christian, and it
should likewise put us in good standing with men. This ethic also includes personal, disciplined work out
of the context of a quiet, confident life; conducting honest, good work, knowing we are part of God’s
family. (2 Thessalonians 3:6–15).
 Cheerful Giver.
We believe that if we feel obligated to give, if we resent the offering, if we dread the request,
then we are not really generous. True generosity is an attitude of the heart, and that is what
God is looking for and that is what he rewards. Everything we have was given to us freely by
God. (2 Corinthians 9:6–9).

Lifework.
Followers of Jesus care called to center their lives on Christ which requires self-control and discipline.
This is not vain religion but actually a pathway to true joy in Christ, the ability to love one another in
community and cross cultural lines with the gospel. Our natural self will run aimlessly, Paul invites us to instead
run with purpose to receive the prize.  (1 Corinthians 9:24–27).

Book 8: BUILDING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

Money and Eternity.

We know giving can be challenging, and in the Christian life we are frequently tempted to think
the answer is simply trying harder. Giving is a heart attitude. A better approach is to remember that if
we are Christians, the power of the gospel is at work in our lives. With God’s help—with the Spirit’s
enablement—we can manage our finances well, and even enjoy giving. (1Timothy 6:17–19).

Investing in the Local Churches.

We believe that giving time and effort to the church may prove more costly than writing a check
with several zeroes. For those with little wealth, even a small gift may be a huge sacrifice, and such
saints may be rich in other ways. Giving to the church is about more than money. One way to evaluate
our giving is to consider three resources: time, talents, and treasures. A healthy Christian life involves
giving not just one or two of these to one’s church, but all three. (Romans 3:3–16).

Investing in the Progress of the Gospel.

We believe that we should note that giving money is not the only means of generosity. People
also participate in God’s redemptive work by creatively employing their skills, passions, relationships,
and prayers. (Philippians 1:27- 2:30).
 Investing for Eternity.
We believe that God does not give you riches to hoard, but to use for His glory. True enjoyment
of wealth comes not from possessing it, but from investing it as God intended in things that
count for eternity. (1 Corinthians 3:10–15).

Laying Hold of Christ.

We believe that Christ’s principles for living life are not some set of dry rules to be followed. They
are His thoughts, His plans, His passions, His view of the world! They are living principles designed to
guide our relationship with Him. They are the sound words of life and truth that the Spirit is using to
transform our lives. Living by them is how we truly lay hold of Christ himself. (Philippians 3:1–21).

Abhishek Babu Kummarigunta