Break Every Chain

Part 4: Broken Families

April 21, 2024

"I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me." (Exodus 20:5, New Living Translation)

"But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands." (Exodus 20:6, NLT)

"The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals." (Genesis 25:23, NLT)

"Isaac loved Esau . . . . but Rebekah loved Jacob." (Genesis 25:27–28, NLT)

HOW CAN I BRING HEALING TO MY BROKEN FAMILY?

1. Love all your children equally.

"So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob." (Genesis 25:33, NLT)

"She said to her son Jacob. . . . 'Now, my son, listen to me. Do exactly as I tell you. . . . I'll… prepare your father's favorite dish. Then take the food to your father so he can eat it and bless you before he dies.'" (Genesis 27:6–10, NLT)

2. Be aware of the example you set.

"May many nations become your servants, and may they bow down to you. May you be the master over your brothers, and may your mother's sons bow down to you. All who curse you will be cursed, and all who bless you will be blessed." (Genesis 27:29, NLT)

3. Speak blessings into your family's lives.

"For twenty years I have been with you, caring for your flocks. . . . And you changed my wages ten times! In fact, if the God of my father had not been on my side—the God of Abraham and the fearsome God of Isaac—you would have sent me away empty-handed." (Genesis 31:38–41, NLT)

4. See life from your family member's perspective.

"After delivering the message, the messengers returned to Jacob and reported, 'We met your brother, Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you—with an army of 400 men!'" (Genesis 32:4–6, NLT)

5. Surrender your brokenness to Jesus.

"But Jacob said, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.' 'What is your name?' the man asked. He replied, 'Jacob.' 'Your name will no longer be Jacob,' the man told him. 'From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.'" (Genesis 32:26-28, NLT)

6. Make amends with your family.

"They belong to your servant Jacob, but they are a gift for his master Esau. Look, he is coming right behind us." (Genesis 32:18, NLT)

"As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him. Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept." (Genesis 33:3–4, NLT)

"Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. Thus he urged him, and he took it." (Genesis 33:11, English Standard Version)

"All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants." (Genesis 28:14, NLT)

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