I went out for my walk just after 7 am this morning. In our street, there was a dad with his twin sons stretching before their run. On the walk, I saw a number of families cycling, walking and running. The cutest was a family of five–mother, father, two teeny boppers and a child around 4 years old. These sights were a first for this week. Parents either go to work or work from home. Kids are doing schooling via the Internet … and Saturday is the day the family can get out together for some exercise. What I thought particularly nice was that this family with the small child behaved as a family … laughing, joking, teasing each other … all were involved, and the walk was fun. Naturally, this got my mind thinking about a Biblical family. The Bible has much to say about members of a godly family and how they relate to each other.
The Father is the Head and Teacher
Dt 6:1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
The Mother is a Help Meet and Homemaker
Pr 31:10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
The Wife Loves Through Submission
Col 3:18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Also see Ephesians 5:22-24.
The Husband Loves Through Sacrifice
Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Also see Ephesians 5:25-33.
The Children Love Through Obedience
Col 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Also see Ephesians 6:1-3.
The Parents Love Through Fair and Age-Appropriate Treatment
Col 3:21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
Also see Ephesians 6:4.
Although there are many other passages, these show us that when each person in the family fulfills his or her role, the family will function easily … like a well-oiled machine. When the first four points above are in place, the last two are easy. One major problem in our churches today is that the father is not the head of and teacher in the home. It all starts here. Fail here, and the family will be dysfunctional. Surely no true Christian wants this!
Dear God, please enable each person in my family to function in a God-honouring way so that our family might be a joy to participate in and that You will receive the glory, for Jesus sake. Amen.