• F U N C T I O N A L . f a m i l y

C H R I S T I A N S . U N D E R . C O N S T R U C T I O N 

• F U N C T I O N A L . f a m i l y 

__________________________

LUKE 15:11

prodigal son

functional 

adjective

1 of or having a special activity, purpose, or task; relating to the way in which something works or operates :

(the Family Unit)

 affecting the operation, rather than the structure, of an organ : (bigger than me)

2 Mathematics of or relating to a variable quantity whose value depends on one or more other variables.

Rather than Look at the Word Dysfunction -

WE FOCUS our ATTENTION on “FUNCTIONAL” 

because this is ultimately what we WANT .

if WE SEE WHAT IT “SHOULD” Look like

we can more Easily Correct where we are currently Falling short.

_____________________________________________

the MAIN Elements required for :

a UNIT

a Family

a Home

to be Functional 

is remembering that 

“the WHOLE is Affected by every “one” involved “

Although it seems RARE that ALL the “ones” are Always in tuned with oneAnother

it is very IMPORTANT that we CONTINUE to Understand that 

NO MATTER WHAT ELSE MAY BE HAPPENING

the DEEPER we Engulf ourselves in “our specific ROLE”

in that WHOLE,

the Better chance we have of

helping  RESTORE  BALANCE to the WHole.

Like the bible says, 

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

There will Definitely be Times when one of the “variables” of the WHOLE 

(one of the family members or Team Members)

will Not be Concerned  at all with “the Whole” .

This is Not the TIME to follow suit or 

to be Overcome with Anger and do the Same.

this is when you, one of the Variables of the WHOLE,

must Dig DEEPER in your ROLE in that UNIT

to HELP RESTORE BALANCE and ORDER.

REMIND that other VARIABLE, that somehow GOT DISCONNECTED -

 of how LOVED they are 

HOW Important their ROLE is 

and HOW NEEDED they are.

THIS IS NOT a Time to Criticize and Condemn with Harsh Words 

that have no Trace of Love.

SOMEONE Must be more Concerned with the “WE”

 than the “my” .

this is the ONLY Way a Family becomes Functional.

WILL YOU BE THAT person ?

this Kind of Attitude can become Contagious amongst the Other VARIABLES

if *you are CONSISTENT and LEAD by Example.

functional

2 Mathematics of or relating to a variable quantity whose value depends on one or more other variables.

this Definition here Reminds us of WHY this FUNCTIONAL Nature is SO Important.

Because as a WHOLE , the Unit is GRADED.

as a WHOLE, the Unit Finds it’s WOrth.

as a WHOLE is Passes or FAILS.

for what Purpose  has God assembled your FAMILY, TEAM ?

have you Ever thought about that Question ?

It’s Wise to AT LEAST ASK.

While we want to CREATE our OWN TEAM, 

first ASK, why did God assemble this TEAM .

it is Like a Group Project at School.

When Done correctly,

everyone in the GROUP gets one GRADE

based on what they DID as a UNIT.

this is WHY, 

even if it’s only One Person - no matter their Rank, 

if they SEEK to RESTORE the “Love Bond”,

if that one person Seeks to SATURATE the Unit with Their Love, 

they can Destroy the DYSFUNCTIONAL Element .

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

through Consistent RESPECT &  

“Self-Sacrifice”, which is LOVE -

Balance, Order and FUNCTIONALITY can be Restored

 just as God intended for it to be.

________________________________________

when it comes to the PARABLE of the 

Prodigal Son:

we Focus today on the Relationship between the Brothers.

When we look at a HEALTHY Relationship between Brothers

there is a Certain CAMARADERIE that Exist.

camaraderie 

noun

mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together 

But when this Element is MISSING

and  instead their is  INDIGNATION & Strife

something FOREIGN , that is not of God, 

has entered into the HEARTS of One or BOTH of the brothers.

indignation 

noun

anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment

strife 

noun

angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict 

The Benefit of this lesson today 

is to Present you with an Opportunity to do a SELF-CHECK.

 a SEARCHING of your OWN HEART.

if you are in a dysfunctional Home, 

dysfunctional Family, 

dysfunctional Relationship

LOOK WITHIN “you” FIRST and see if your HEART is right.

if you ARE MORE CONCERNED with the “WE” rather than the “me”.

__________________________

it DOESN’T matter “WHO” started acting Inconsiderately First,

have you Let it Become a part of You ?

if you Find yourself NOT BEING ABLE to be HAPPY for the Celebration of another one of your Family members.

if you FIND it Difficult within yourself to HUG or SAY Hello.

if you FIND YOURSELF Avoiding or easily annoyed.

LOOK within you and PRAY GOD to

 REMOVE anything that is NOT LIKE HIM.

sometimes the FIX is as Simple as a HEART to HEART Conversation.

a Talk where you are :

 Transparent in how you Express what you are FEELING

but still Respectable in your Delivery.

but then there are TIMES when the Other person 

isn’t willing to have that TALK.

in those SItuations you STILL “do your Part”

Overcome EVIL with GOOD.

OVERCOME evil with GOOD

OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

this PRACTICE right here,  being done by ONE PERSON

has SAVED MANY Relationships

and Restored Many Families .

LOVE is GREATER than HATE

more POWERFUL than EVIL.

Although this is only a Parable,

the situation is very REAL for many of us today.

this is LESSON is the beginning of our REMEDY from GOD.

it’s NOT about us 

DECIDING what the other people in the UNIT DESERVE from us.

it’s not about FAIR TREATMENT .

it’s ABOUT HONORING God 

in the ROLE HE has Placed you in.

_______________________________________________________

this is not of GOD-

this causes DYSFUNCTION -

1 Timothy 5:8

But those who won't care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.

1 Corinthians 6:6-8 

But instead, one brother takes another to court--and this in front of unbelievers!

The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.

i Understand that with so many Individual Variables 

in one UNIT trying to Accomplish a mutual Goal, 

there will be some Conflict 

and Disagreements and moments of Discord - 

so , with that being KNOWN,

our NEXT Question to get to the ROOT of the DYSFUNCTION is

HOW DO you RESOLVE Conflict ?

we all face Conflict -

but how you RESOLVE it

determines HOW much of the UNIT 

the Conflict will Actually Destroy.

the Underlining Point of this ALL is that 

the Adversary is SEEKING to Destroy FAMILIES.

BROKEN HOMES 

have a Greater chance of PRODUCING the MORAL REBELLION & Social Decline we see / experience  in the world we Live in.

the HOME is the FOUNDATION, 

the FIRST ROLE MODEL of what a RELATIONSHIP is 

& what Life has to Offer.

when this is BROKEN, our Perspective Becomes Skewed -

a Godly MORAL CODE is never Embedded,

rather we are looking to “Local Media” to help establish our 

Moral Code & our Worth

.

Walls are Built up to KEEP our Vulnerability SAFE

 because the ONE PLACE we should have been SAFE  (Home) > 

WAS Overcome by the SELFISH-Ambitions of the Variables in the Unit.

THIS IS WHY protecting the FUNCTIONALITY of the FAMILY, the HOME, the Unit 

is So important to God.

the HOME is WHERE MORALS are Established 

in the LEADERS of today and for the Leaders of tomorrow .

More FUNCTIONAL Homes will change so many elements of our Society.

from the Music that is released to the Public,

to the Bills that are Passed by our government,

to the Rate of Crime,

to the Number of Abortions,

even all the way to TRAFFIC.

so let us CAST OFF the RAGING Desire to DISMISS everyone and SEEK our OWN.

in the END ,

 we end up SABOTAGING the Same Society we Hope one day we will Prosper in .

________________________________________

1 Peter 4:9-10

Show hospitality to one another without complaining.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

it is WHEN we Focus on the

 “WE” , Rather than only the “Me” 

that we Truly have a Chance at 

experiencing the Functional Family.

REMEMBER - even if *you are the ONLY VARIABLE FOCUSING on the “We” -

through Consistency / LongSuffering / Love 

it will begin to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

______________________________________________________________

Christians Under Construction

: Outline for “Christians Under Construction”

Group Discussion:   

 ACCESSGRANTED

_________________________________________________

a Video was created for the Song 

DEAD & GONE - by T.I.

the First Frame of the video is a Bible Scripture

1 Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

the Song Denotes some sort of AWAKENING for the Artist 

in which He sees 

the “Powerful INFLUENCE” of  His Actions

 in a NEW LIGHT.

for this kind of AWAKENING

the Scripture chosen for the video is perfect.

_______________________________________

for Many of us, 

like the ARTIST - we KNOW right from WRONG.

but WHAT will it take for us to 

“WAKE UP” and begin to “RESPECT” Consequences ?

you see,

... you can CHOOSE the CHOICE but you CANT CHOOSE the Consequence •

it is NOT UNTIL 

“Consequences” begin to HELP YOU make Decisions

that you can Truly and Confidently Label yourself an Adult.

Thats simply means:

When you START Considering the BIGGER Picture PRIOR to making a Choice.

b e g i n . t o . C O N S I D E R . t h i s . w a y :

1 Corinthians 10:23 

You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is good for you. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is beneficial.

1 Corinthians 10:23 

Someone may say, "I'm allowed to do anything," but not everything is helpful. I'm allowed to do anything, but not everything encourages growth.

>>>

if it’s NOT HELPING 

it’s HURTING

if it’s not GROWING

it’s DESTROYING

what will the RESULT BE

of the CHOICE you want to make ?

consequence

noun

1 a result or effect of an action or condition

in the SONG we see a MAN Considering the Consequences 

of his previous Actions.

It is a Wonderful thing that He is NOW taking into serious consideration

his CHOICES, 

but it would have been a EVEN MORE Wonderful thing

HAD HE CONSIDERED the POSSIBLE Consequences 

Prior to CHOOSING the ACTION

that Caused Him the Trouble He is now Singing about.

____________________________________

so WHAT About you ? :

1 Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 

How much CHILD do you still have Left in you ?

_________________

This song discusses 

PRIDE getting in the way

PEOPLE Dying over NON-sense

How people don’t know what to do when their back is against the WALL

and it speaks HEAVILY about

now I get it, now I take

Time to think, before I make mistakes just for my family's sake

now I get it, now I take

Time to think, before I make mistakes just for my family's sake

do you THINK your CHOICES only AFFECT you ?

______________________________________________

I hear people say OFTEN

i know... i know... just PRAY for me.

WHAT EXACTLY should we pray for.

we Heard you say that “you know” .

 so what’s stopping you ?

should we pray for you to HAVE A DESIRE to Actually *DO what you KNOW you should.

should we pray for the STRENGTH or COURAGE to help you DO what you know.

should we pray that the CONSEQUENCES for everything you are thinking in the HEAT of that MOMENT areVividly revealed to you to Help you DO what you KNOW you should.

WHAT will it take for us to DO what we KNOW we should ?

maybe a LOOK into what we may BE MISSING out on .

...

_________________________________________

OF course

because of the WAR that WAGES within us, caused by our SINFUL nature,

doing the RIGHT thing is a lot EASIER said than DONE.

SO how do we BUILD our STRENGTH ?

...

FLOOD & STARVE

FLOOD ourselves with the WORD of GOD

STARVE our FLESH

this is Done through the 

PEOPLE we surround ourselves with

to the Music we listen to in our Cars or Headphones.

Proverbs 4:23

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Luke 6:45

A good man from the good stored up in his heart brings out what is good; and an evil man from the evil stored up brings out what is evil; for from the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

FLOOD ourselves with the WORD of GOD

STARVE our FLESH

this is Done through the 

FIRST Activity we engage in - in the Morning

to WHAT Thoughts we Decide to DWELL on.

_____________________________________

so what’s the BIG DEAL ?

Holding on to CHILDISH ways

is like Carrying around a WEIGHT.

it Holds you DOWN & Hold you Back.

Continuing to Consciously Speak, Think & Reason as a CHILD

KEEPS you from Experiencing and ENTERINg 

the Promise that God has for you.

it’s like trying to Get into a CLUB with a Strict Dress Code

but you are wearing your Pajamas.

... you won’t get pass the VELVET ROPE 

________________

the FIRST THING we must Understand is that

God is NOT A TEASE. GOD WANTS to BLESS you.

God wants you to WALK into that Promise

or else He wouldn’t have MADE it A Possibility 

or even given you the DREAM.

but “you”

MUST do *your PART .

or it will Never come to Pass.

the “if you” clause

conditional

adjective

1 subject to one or more conditions or requirements being met; made or granted on certain terms

_______________________

this MEANS that our HOPE DREAMS and Aspirations

can all be Delayed and Put on HOLD

because of our Behavior or should i say “mis-Behavior”.

Proverbs 13:12 Delayed hope makes the heart sick, but fulfilled desire is a tree of life.

so WHAT must we do ?

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

if not NOW

... WHEN ?...

i understand -

most of the TIME

WE KNOW what to do - but we lack the MOTIVATION to do it.

THIS IS WHEN “Self-Discipline” must KICK in.

Self-Discipline is an ADULT trait.

Self-Discipline is an ADULT trait.

Self-Discipline is an ADULT trait.

POSSESSING this is a SIGN of Maturity.

Self-Discipline is one of the Traits that will Help you 

GAIN ACCESS to those HOPES Dreams and Aspirations .

So , 

let us strip off every weight that slows us down .

GAIN ACCESS

and LIVE the LIFE that God Intended for you.

i’m NOT SAYING it will be EASY -

it will be Difficult 

but why make LIFE Harder than it has to be ?

don’t make the Possible 

IMPOSSIBLE 

because you won’t Discipline yourself

______________

this is the CONCLUSION:

everyday , with every CHOICE we make

WE CHOOSE the MOVE CLOSER 

to the Promise, the Blessing, the Breakthrough

or we choose to move FURTHER Away .

...

GAIN ACCESS by CHOOSING to put away Childish Ways.

___________________________________________

Now let’s see what they LOOK Like in our Example Demonstration 

__________________________________________________________

nonsense 

noun

1 spoken or written words that have no meaning or make no sense 

2 foolish or unacceptable behavior 

childish

adjective

• silly and immature 

immature

adjective

• (of a person or their behavior) having or showing emotional or intellectual development appropriate to someone younger 

speak 

verb 

1 say something in order to convey information, an opinion, 

• [ trans. ] communicate in or be able to communicate in

think 

verb ( past and past part. thought 

1 [with clause ] have a particular opinion, belief, or idea about someone or something :

2 [ intrans. ] direct one's mind toward someone or something

reason 

noun

1 a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event 

• good or obvious cause to do something.

Logic a premise of an argument in support of a belief, 

2 the power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic

• what is right, practical, or possible; common sense

Proverbs 13:3 

Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

Jeremiah 15:19

Because of this, the LORD said, "You must repent of such words and thoughts! If you do, I will restore you to the privilege of serving me. If you say what is worthwhile instead of what is worthless, I will again allow you to be my spokesman. They must become as you have been. You must not become like them.

Romans 12:2

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Proverbs 4:23

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Luke 6:45

A good man from the good stored up in his heart brings out what is good; and an evil man from the evil stored up brings out what is evil; for from the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

"Dead And Gone"

(feat. Justin Timberlake)

[Spoken - T.I.]

Ay

Let me kick it to you right quick, man

Not on some gangsta s*** man, on some real s***

Anybody done been through the same thing, I'm sure you feel the same way

Big Phil

This for you pimpin'

[Chorus (Justin Timberlake (T.I.)):]

Oh (eyyy)

I've been travellin' on this road too long (too long)

Just tryna find my way back home (back home)

The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone

And oh (eyyy)

I've been travellin' on this road too long (too long)

Just tryna find my way back home (back home)

The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone, dead and gone

[Verse 1 - T.I.]

Ever had one of them days wish would've stayed home

Run into a group of n*##@$ who gettin' they hate on

You walk by

They get wrong

You reply then s*** get blown

Way outta proportion

Way past discussion

Just you against them, pick one then rush 'em

Figure you'll get jumped, hell that's nothing

They don't wanna stop there now they bussin'

Now you gushin', ambulance rushin'

You to the hospital with a bad concussion

Plus ya hit 4 times

Plus it hit ya spine

Paralyzed waist down now ya wheel chair bound

Nevermind that now you lucky to be alive

Just think it all started you fussin' with 3 guys

Now ya pride in the way, but ya pride is the way

You could f*** around, get shot, die anyday

N**** die everyday

All over non-sense, dope money, dice game, ordinary hood s***

Could this be 'cos of hip hop music?

Or did the ones with the good sense not use it?

Usually n***** don't know what to do when their back against the wall so they just start shootin'

For red or for blue or for blood I guess

From Bankhead or from your projects

No more stress, now I'm straight, now I get it, now I take

Time to think, before I make mistakes just for my family's sake

That part of me left yesterday

The heart of me is strong today

No regrets I'm blessed to say

The old me dead and gone away

[Chorus (Justin Timberlake (T.I.))]

[Verse 2 - T.I.]

I ain't never been scared, I lived through tragedy

Situation could've been dead lookin' back at it

Most of that s*** didn't even have to happen

But you don't think about it when you out there trappin'

In apartments, hangin', smokin', and rappin'

N**** start s****, next thing ya know we cappin'

Get locked up then didn't even get mad

Now think about d*** what a life I had

Most of that s***, look back, just laugh

Some s*** still look back get sad

Maybe my homboy still be around

Had I not hit the n**** in the mouth that time

I won that fight

I lost that war

I can still see my n**** walkin' out that door

Who'da thought I'd never see Philant no more?

Got enough dead homies I don't want no more

Cost a n***** his job

Cost me more

I'd took that a**-whooping now for sure

Now think before I risk my life

Take them chances to get my stripe

A n***** put his hands on me alright

Otherwise stand there talk s*** all night

'Cos I hit you, you sue me,

I shoot you, get locked up, who me?

No more stress, now I'm straight, now I get it, now I take

Time to think, before I make mistakes just for my family's sake

That part of me left yesterday

The heart of me is strong today

No regrets I'm blessed to say

The old me dead and gone away

[Chorus (Justin Timberlake (T.I.))]

________________________________________________

--
donnieBgood...