Family Relationships

Family is important to God. The Bible describes how He created the family unit and established it as the core of human relationships. His Word is filled with instructions about the family. We are born into families and nurtured through families, and each of these families is unique, because the people in our families are unique.

These differences are revealed as we observe the attitudes and actions of individual family members—how they interact with other family members, how they spend their time, and how they set their priorities.

We can learn a lot about people by their behavior within the family unit. In fact, Paul made a person’s actions and attitudes toward his family a test to determine his spiritual maturity and qualifications for leadership in the church.

The same principle is true today. Some in the world may have different ideas about the family, but God’s design has not changed. For each of us—men, women, young and old—our character is demonstrated by our actions and attitudes toward our families.

Within our family relationships, we show our priorities and our perspective 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 trustworthy.

Remember: God has given you a unique mission, with unique resources and gifts. Seek to be faithful and trustworthy in the special role He has designed for you—in your work, your church, your community, and your home.