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A Study Guide to Blended Families
The Blended Families Workbook is broken into two complete six-week units. This gives the freedom to use the workbook as two six-week units independentof one another, or as a continuous twelve week study. On some occasions, a group may want to further adapt the workbook to three four-week units. That is also accomplished very easily. The Blended Families Workbook is a study guide to Blended Families, Creating Harmony as You Build a New Home Life (Moody Press 2000, ISBN# 0-8024-3056-2).
The Blended Families Workbook is a realistic journey into life in the blended family. Ideally, blended families would be made up of special people who are growing and learning together to become one family, who listen with respect, encourage everyone equally, negotiate personal needs, and help others realize their dreams. Statistics, however, show that stepfamilies are prone to be more conflict ridden than nuclear family homes. When people discover how to celebrate the stepfamily, embrace personality differences, and comfort one another in word and deed, things change. Home becomes a happier place.
Maxine emphasizes the need for sensitivity in co-parenting. Children in blended families live in two different worlds with two different sets of rules. The rules change from house to house, and yet the children are expected to be compliant in both homes. Parents and stepparents who are willing to lay aside personal grievances and work as a team for the good of their combined children will open up a world of blessings, affirmation of values and establishment of camaraderie.
All blended families are born of loss, whether that loss comes through death, divorce, or abandonment. This presupposes blended families to be fragile. Yet God promises an amazing future for those who will obey His Word. Week after week the Blended Families Workbook pulls the participant further and further into the truths of God and His beautiful plan for every family.
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Who can benefit from the Blended Families Workbook?
- Any individual or couple
- Counselors, pastors, teachers, and lay people who want to increase their understanding of the blended family
- As a study for small groups made up of six to eight couples or 10-12 people where the sharing of ideas, struggles, and joys is nurturing to everyone
- Large groups taking part in a one-day seminar to the blended family, or a series of six-twelve, consecutive meetings
Endorsements:
My husband and I are both pastors. I have done quite a bit of research on blended family materials...so far your resources are the most scripturally based and foundational that I have found...we love your heart.
–Pastor Gwen Tackett, Phoenix First Assembly and NAME (National Association of Marriage Enhancement)
"The Blended Families Workbook is practical. Maxine Marsolini writes for people who live in the real world. No ivory-tower theorizing here. This user friendly workbook brings you face to face with the nuts and bolts of daily life in a blended family. The questions and exercises will stretch you—maybe even out of your comfort zone—but you'll be glad you made the effort. The workbook builds on solid biblical principles regarding communication, forgiveness, honesty, kindness, wise planning, and the grace God gives to those who trust in him.
"Family life isn't easy in the best of circumstances. And blended families face unique challenges. But every page of this workbook speaks a message of hope: ‘With God's help, you can do it.' Read the workbook, use it, take your time, and work carefully through every question. If you do, you'll grow spiritually and you'll discover that blended families can be blessed families when God is at the center."
—Dr. Ray Pritchard, Senior Pastor, Calvary Memorial Church, Oak Park, Illinois
Author: An Anchor for the Soul, Keep Believing, The God You Can Trust, The ABCs of Wisdom
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