HEALTHY FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS (1)

“For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?” – 1 Timothy 3:5

The Bible has a lot to say about HEALTHY FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS including the links with Leadership: “A bishop then must be blameless, the HUSBAND of ONE WIFE, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who RULES HIS OWWN HOUSE WELL, having HIS CHILDREN in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)” (1Tim.3: 2-5). Paul listed a person’s actions and attitudes toward his family a critical test to determine his spiritual maturity and qualifications for leadership in the church. This is how important Family Relationships are to God.

The fifth commandment given to Moses in the Old Testament speaks directly about the relationship between parents and children: “Honor your father and your mother: that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you” (Exo. 20:12). Matthew 15:4 and 19:19 repeat the same. Our Lord Jesus also taught that marriage is holy and essential to God’s plan: “But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female. ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mk. 10:6-9). Moreover, Jesus cared for His family, and showed love for His family members, especially His mother, Mary. Even while in agony on the cross, He showed concern for His mother’s care (Jh.19:26-27).

The Family is at the center of God’s Plan for the procreation, progress, and fulfilment of His children. The Bible describes how God created the family unit, establishing it from the very beginning as the core of human relationships (Gen.2:18-25). It also shows us many examples of strong families as well as flawed families. Scriptures also teach us how to have a loving, strong, and fulfilled family. God’s Word is filled with instructions about the Family. We are born into families and nurtured through families, each of which is unique, because the people in our families are unique. These differences are revealed through the attitudes and actions of individual family members – how they interact with others, how they spend their time, and how they set their priorities.

We can learn a lot about people by their behaviour within the family unit. Some in the world may have different ideas about the Family, but God’s design has not changed. Each of our character is demonstrated by our actions and attitudes toward our families.  Within our family relationships, we display our priorities and our perspectives on life. We reveal how we handle responsibility and whether or not we keep our promises. We show if we are people of compassion, truly caring for others instead of just being concerned about ourselves. And we demonstrate if we are dependable, faithful, and trustworthy. God has given each of us unique missions, with peculiar resources and gifts to fulfil His purposes within and through our families. We must seek to be faithful and trustworthy in the special roles He has designed for us in our homes, and extending to our workplaces, churches, and communities.

Apart from linking family and leadership, the Apostle Paul spoke often about family relationships. In Ephesians 6: 1-4, he wrote: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” We need more of God’s Wisdom for Healthy Family Relationships.