On the 20-22 of October Marriage and Family conference was held in Izmail. The seminar was organized by Izmail Life Care Center. Pastor Paul Alexander was the main speaker.
The practical theme of the Seminar is the rebirth of the tradition of family worship as a foundation of a strong family.

The following topics were discussed.

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY

Ukraine, October 2010, Pastor Paul Alexander

1. CREATED TO LIVE IN COVENANT

• New Testament Reading: Ephesians 5:18-31
• Old Testament Reading: Genesis 1:1-5 and 26-31.

Theme: CELEBRATE YOUR UNIQUE ROLE IN GOD’S IMAGE

1. Celebrate Your Creation in God’s Image
2. Celebrate Your New Creation in Christ, Colossians 3:10
3. Celebrate Your New Life including your Marriage and Family.

2. THREE PILLARS OF COVENANT LIFE

• New Testament Reading: Revelation 19:6-9
• Old testament Reading: Genesis 2 (whole chapter)

Theme: COVENANT LIFE IS A CELEBRATION OF COMMUNION AND DOMINION

1. SABBATH (1ST pillar) is a celebration of communion with God
2. WORK (2ND pillar) is a celebration of dominion over the earth
3. MARRIAGE (3rd pillar) is a celebration of communion with each other

3. PARENTS AND TEACHERS – AGENTS OF THE COVENANT

• Old Testament Reading: Malachi 1:1-6
• New Testament Reading Luke: 1:5-17

Theme: PARENTS AND TEACHERS ARE AGENTS OF THE COVENANT

1. God is calling you to be “agents of the Covenant”.
2. God blesses “agents of the Covenant” with Godly Chldren

4. ROLES OF FATHERS AND MOTHERS IN THE COVENANT FAMILY

• New Testament Reading: Ephesians 4:25-32 and 6:1-4
• Old Testament Reading: I Kings 1:9-11 and 24-28

Theme: OUR ROLE AS PARENTS IS TO GIVE OUR CHILDREN TO THE LORD

1. Loving Leadership is the Role of a Godly Father
2. Loving Helper is the Role of Godly Wife/Mother
3. Unified Leadership Role of Parents produces Joy and Success

5. BUILDING OUR FAMILIES ON THE WORSHIP OF GOD

• Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4 - 9
• New Testament Reading Luke 2:40 – 52

Theme: WE MUST BUILD OUR FAMILIES ON THE WORSHIP OF GOD
We use three books, the dinner table and devout hearts to accomplish this task:

1. Using the Bible to Build Our Families
2. Using the Hymn Book to Build Our Families
3. Using the Catechism to Build Our Families

More than 100 people took part in the seminar. They represented different churches of Izmail. At the end all the participants came to the conclusion that it is really necessary to start over the tradition of the family worship. It will give the opportunity to all members of the family to grow spiritually and strengthen the faith.

Everybody promised to each other to pray that God would help us organize the interdenominational ministry of family worship. Those who wanted got a brochure with the help of which their family can start worshiping God together and study the first question of Shorter Westminster Catechism.

Dear brothers and sisters, if you have some ideas how to develop such a ministry, please let us know filled out the form on our website.