Don’t let sibling rivalry get in the way of being good to others in your family.
Key Points:
- There are different types of rivalries. Age and gender can make big differences in the sorts of rivalries you have with siblings.
- Younger siblings need to recognize where the line is of bugging and irritating their older siblings. Older siblings need to recognize that younger siblings look up to them…even if it doesn’t seem like that.
- Parents, it’s important to build into your family culture this truth: family is family no matter what. Start when your kids are young, and never let up.
Quote This:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Parents: do you have siblings? If so, what was your relationship like with them growing up?
- Kids: on average, how often does your sibling drive you up the wall?
- Why do you think sibling rivalry is a thing? What are some ways siblings compete with each other? What do parents do to fuel the rivalry?
- Younger siblings: what can you do to be less of a pain toward your older siblings?
- Older siblings: how can you be a better big brother or sister to your younger siblings?
- Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Memorize this passage as a family. Identify all that this passage says about love and how we should treat others. In what areas are you doing well and in what areas do you need to grow?
- How can your family get better and better at having a strong family culture of loyalty? List some practical examples.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
