In Love for Life
Building or Rebuilding a Great Marriage
Mike Mazzalongo
#10 – Blended Families - Part I
Blended Family - Statistics
• 48% of all first marriages end in divorce.
• 79% women & 89% men remarry
• 68% of remarriages have children
from previous marriages
“thebondedfamily.com”
Blended Family - Statistics
• 21 New blended families formed every day in
U.S.
• Less than 12% divorced or single parents go
too church because they, “…don’t feel the
church cares about their broken lives.”
“thebondedfamily.com”
Blended Family – Biblical Examples
• Jacob and two wives
Blended Family – Today’s Examples
• Subsequent marriages
Blended Family – Today’s Examples
•
Subsequent marriages
• Single parents with multi-partner children
Blended Family – Today’s Examples
• Subsequent marriages
• Single parents with multi-partner children
• Grandparents raising grandchildren
Blended Family – Today’s Examples
• Subsequent marriages
• Single parents with multi-partner children
• Grandparents raising grandchildren
• Multigenerational
– Adoptive situations
– Group homes
REASONS FOR DIVORCE IN
ST
1 MARRIAGES
Reasons for Divorce in
1. Immaturity
st
1
Marriages
Reasons for Divorce in
1. Immaturity
2. Sex
st
1
Marriages
Reasons for Divorce in
1. Immaturity
2. Sex
3. Marriage Preparation
st
1
Marriages
Reasons for Divorce in
1.
2.
3.
4.
Immaturity
Sex
Marriage Preparation
In-Laws
st
1
Marriages
Reasons for Divorce in
1.
2.
3.
4.
st
1
Marriages
Immaturity
5. Values Conflict
Sex
Marriage Preparation
In-Laws
Reasons for Divorce in
1.
2.
3.
4.
st
1
Marriages
Immaturity
5. Values Conflict
Sex
6. Adjustment Problems
Marriage Preparation
In-Laws
Reasons for Divorce in
1.
2.
3.
4.
st
1
Marriages
Immaturity
5. Values Conflict
Sex
6. Adjustment Problems
Marriage Preparation 7. Child Rearing
In-Laws
Reasons for Divorce in
1.
2.
3.
4.
Immaturity
Sex
Marriage Preparation
In-Laws
5.
6.
7.
8.
st
1
Marriages
Values Conflict
Adjustment Problems
Child Rearing
Finances
REASONS FOR DIVORCE IN
nd
2 MARRIAGES
Reasons for Divorce in
1. Child Rearing
nd
2
Marriages
Reasons for Divorce in
1. Child Rearing
2. Finances
nd
2
Marriages
Reasons for Divorce in
1. Child Rearing
2. Finances
3. Relatives
nd
2
Marriages
Reasons for Divorce in
1. Child Rearing
2. Finances
3. Relatives
4. Values
nd
2
Marriages
Reasons for Divorce in
1.
2.
3.
4.
Child Rearing
Finances
Relatives
Values
5. Sharing of Tasks
nd
2
Marriages
Phil. 3:13-14
13 Brothers
and sisters, I do not consider
myself yet to have taken hold of it. But
one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind
14
and straining toward what is ahead, I
press on toward the goal to win the
prize for which God has called me
heavenward in Christ Jesus.
How To Prepare - Phil. 3:13-14
1. Know Your Mate and Children
How To Prepare - Phil. 3:13-14
1. Know Your Mate and Children
2. Understand Children’s Needs
How To Prepare - Phil. 3:13-14
1. Know Your Mate and Children
2. Understand Children’s Needs
3. Build a New Relationship
How To Prepare - Phil. 3:13-14
1. Know Your Mate and Children
2. Understand Children’s Needs
3. Build a New Relationship
4. Include Everyone
Arriving at Unity
Arriving at Unity
1. Avoid Co-Conductor System
Arriving at Unity
1. Avoid Co-Conductor System
2. Give Up Previous Role
Arriving at Unity
1. Avoid Co-Conductor System
2. Give Up Previous Role
3. Establish Ground Rules
Ground Rules
• Courtesy
Ground Rules
• Courtesy
• Family Rules
Ground Rules
• Courtesy
• Family Rules
• Fairness
Ground Rules
• Courtesy
• Family Rules
• Fairness
• Division of Labor
Ground Rules
• Courtesy
• Family Rules
• Fairness
• Division of Labor
• Spiritual Goals
ONLY JESUS CAN MAKE
TWO INTO ONE