Some More Thoughts on the Family

Lately, we have been preparing a web site that will tell local area folks about who we are and our desire to find like-minded families who might consider forming a church.  To that end, we have been writing short descriptions of some of our beliefs regarding family, church, doctrine, etc.

Here is an excerpt from one of the sections about Scriptural ideas about the family. We are definitely far from perfect in our family relationships and glorifying God through them.  But we are very grateful to the Lord for awakening and growing our hearts and for giving grace in this area of our lives. We hope it is edifying for you!

Family Relationships: Important to God

In the Scriptures, God gives us many commands, exhortations, urgings, examples, teaching, etc. about how we are (and are not) to conduct our earthly family relationships. We must place the same degree of importance upon our family relationships as God does. Some reasons: (1) we must trust and obey our loving Father; (2) He uses these relationships as a means of blessing to us; (3) He uses these relationships as a means of growth; (4) He uses these relationships to be a light to a lost world, to attract people to Jesus Christ as they see Him in us. (Genesis 2:18-25; Proverbs 1-7; 10:1; Ephesians 5:22-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1Timothy 3:1-13; 5:3-16; 2Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15; Titus 1:5-6; 2:2-5; 1Peter 3:1-7)

Hearts for One Another

God wants the hearts of parents and children to be turned toward one another. We should pursue this with the strength and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. It is God’s will for this relationship to be mutually loving and respectful. In spite of what we hear (including from many Christians), it is not God’s norm for sons and daughters to despise, be embarrassed about, or rebel against their parents. Closeness between parents and children should not be supplanted or undermined by an unscriptural over-emphasis upon age-peer friends. (Proverbs 4:3-4; 4:20-21; 6:20-21; 7:1-3; 23:24-26; Malachi 4:5-6; Luke 1:16-17; Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:20-21)

~ Tom

Comments

[Lisa]

I so very much agree. I have never understood why society tries so hard to drive a wedge between parent and child, even to the point of making it look "cool" to laugh at your parents or to hate them.

I am fortunate that my children are very loving. I am even allowed to hug them in front of their friends again (after a short-lived rule against it lol). My 16(17 in June) yr old tells me "you can't help it..it's mom stuff." hehe So true.

Thanks for this.

[Sarah]

Family is so important. I have such love and respect for my parents and their house always feels like home to me. I thank God every day for them.