Key Verse:

Genesis 2:23-24

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

What is your definition of a family?

A.     The family was divinely ordained by God

1.  In Genesis 2:23-24 the bond God calls for of  a man leaving his parents and cleaving to his wife includes having and raising children

2. Each marriage establishes a new family

B.     Foundation for right relationship in a family:

1.       Submission one to another out of reverence for Christ.

2.       The husband is head of the family which is a model of how Christ is head of the church (1Corinthians 1:2-3)

3.       In light of this the father should fear the Lord and perform the duties of his heavenly calling as outlined in  Ephesians 6:22-23 and 1 Timothy 5:8

4.       The husband should also love his wife and live with her in a compassionate and understanding way (Ephesians 5:25)

5.       The wife likewise should fear the lord submit to and respect her husband and demonstrate loving concern for her household (Proverbs 31:27

C.     The Biblical pattern for a married couple is:

1.       Have children and to manage the home in a Godly manner and to raise the children

to love and honor God (Psalm 68:4-6 and Ephesians 1:4-5)

                        Note some people may choose not to have children or may choose to adopt instead.

                        Other couples may be physically unable to bear children

                  2.   If a couple tries artificial means of bearing children then great care must be done in

                        undo harm to both mother and child.

D.    Working outside the home.

1.       Should not disrupt or have a negative impact on the family (1 Timothy 5:8)

2.       Should be done only after prayer, interaction and mutual consent

E.     Children are to viewed as a blessing form God not a burden or hindrance

1.       Children must be nurtured in the faith with great care being exercised by the  

parents not to hinder them from accepting the Lord but to train and instruct the children of the Lord, which means the children must be brought up in Christian families where worship of the Lord is central.  (Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21)

                        Fathers are responsible for leadership and for preparing their children for service

in the church and a life for the glory of God (1 Timothy 3:4, 5, 12 & Colossians 3:17,23)

2.       Mothers share the nurturing responsibilities of the father and even grandparents are encouraged to help

       F.   Children are to obey their parents 

1.       In respect and love  (Ephesians 6:1-3)

2.       This respect and love does not end at adulthood the Bible call children to love and respect their parents as long as they live.  Honoring parents with loving concern and if necessary material cares shows this respect and love. (1 Timothy 5:4-8)

       G.   Christian homes are expressions of the kingdom of God

            1.   As such all members of the family are ambassadors for Christ to call the lost to

                       reconciliation.

                   2.   Our homes should be opened out of hospitality to the saved and unsaved

3.       Our families and home there fore will be a model of our extended family of God

In closing:  We should always model our earthly family after God’s model and should never change or alter what God has set forth in His Word.  To do so would cause disharmony and strife within the family and change what God intended the family to be.   An example of this would be a father who view himself as a dictator and does not see the advice of his wife