The Role of the Family: Children

It seems over the past few days I have been conversing with a lot of different people but about the same subject...children. It has all been interesting conversation and very enlightening. And all have concluded the same...these children are our heritage, great gifts from God our Father and all individually gift wrapped.

I've heard a lot of people say how hard it is to raise a family and I assure you it is no easy task. But the little miracles make it so worth the effort. A friend recently shared with me of how someone close to them is unable to have children and has experienced so much loss and pain in her life...and another mom mourns the loss of a miscarriage and wonders if there could possibly be another chance for her. And my own mother's heart grieves with theirs. But God reminds me of the constant miracles He performs in our lives everyday through the children in our life circles. I have to say on their behalf that they are most precious in God's eyes and bring such a vitality to our homes like none other! I encourage you to get involved in a child's life and experience the miracle of their love.

So for the child's role in the family, its pretty simple...A child, whether with a single parent or both parents, has some things to work towards in becoming a responsible and admirable adult: (Eph. 6:1-3)(Col. 3:20)

Be obedient to your parents.
Honor your mother and father- if you want things to go well in your adult life and you desire to live a long time, treat your parents with great respect at all times.

When you are old enough to realize right and wrong choices, you will then be responsible for your own actions. (Prov. 20:11)
Know that it is your parents responsibility to correct you when you need discipline. (Prov. 29:15)
Never forget...You are special to God and He has placed his angels to watch over you! (Matt. 18:10) You are an awesome individual!

The Role of the Family: Wives

We've come to part 2 of our series concerning our role in the family unit. Ladies, this is going to be hard to swallow for alot of us because we are living in a society that tells us we are to act opposite to the things I'm about to list. However, according to scripture, which I trust alot more than the words of society, these are the guidelines we should be following as Christian women of today:

As with the qualities listed for the Christian man, we see the Christian woman(married or unmarried) should reflect similar qualities: (Titus 2:3-5)

Be reverent in the way you live your life- do not slander others with your mouth and do not continue with habits that are bad for you.
Teach by doing good
Be self-controlled and pure
Be kind
Be gentle
Be quiet in spirit- don't over react when problems arise.
Be busy at home- don't be lazy and call it a leisure day as an excuse.
Love your children

As you may have guessed, the wife has further responsibilities:(1 Cor. 11:9-11, 7:39) (1 Peter 3:1-8) (Ephesians 5:33)

Realize as a wife, you were created for your husband- he is second only to God.
Submit to your husband in all things as you would to the Lord- God has placed the husband as the leader of the home.
Be respectful to your husband- treat him as the stronger partner- look out for him and cover him in prayer.
Remember you are bound to your husband as long as he lives.
Live in harmony with your husband- you are not independent from him.
Remember that you are one in God's eyes- your husband can reflect a beautiful you if you stay mindful of this.

Also, as a mother there are more responsibilities:(Prov. 22:6, 29:15-17)

Train your children in the way of the Lord- don't neglect teaching them about Christ and participating in the development of their Christian values.
You must use correction when your children need discipline- if you ignore times of discipline it will become your shame. If you use correction it can bring delight and comfort to your soul through your children.

We all want to be great at what we do, including our roles as wives and moms. We are not perfect and will always be working on areas to make things better. God's Word promises us that He will complete those things that concern us, small or great. I personally find enormous comfort in that. I know as I do my very best to live a life pleasing to my Father God, He will extend every effort to make my life a success. Ladies, I hope with everything in me that you will find the courage to look deep inside and allow the Holy Spirit to do a good and effective work in you.

The Role of the Family: Husbands

Finding out what God's Word says about each of our roles in the family is the first step in going the right direction, and the role of the husband is so very important in creating a strong and secure home...

First and most importantly, the Christian man(married or unmarried) should reflect these qualities: (Titus 2:2,7)
Temperate
Worthy of respect
Self-controlled
Sound in faith, love, and endurance
Teach by doing good
Show integrity
Seriousness and soundness of speech

Secondly, the husband has further responsibilities: (Ephesians 5:25,28-29)
Love your wife just as fervently as Christ Jesus loves us...(He loved us so deeply that He willingly died for us.)
Love and treat your wife like she is your own physical body- feed and care for her at all costs. And always remember that you are one in God's eyes.

Thirdly, the husband has other responsibilities to the wife if he doesn't want his prayers to be hindered: (1 Peter 3:7,8)
Be considerate of your wife- make a deliberate effort to regard her feelings.
Treat your wife with respect as the weaker partner- as heirs with you. (She is your partner- partners should look out for one another at all times.)
Live in harmony(unity, peace) with your wife- you are not independent from her.

Fourthly, as a father there are more responsibilities: (Eph. 6:4)(Col. 3:21)(Prov. 29:15)
Do not exasperate your children- don't irritate, don't provoke them to become angry, and don't annoy them.
Bring them up in the training and instructions of the Lord- make sure they are in places that will reaffirm the biblical teaching of Christ. Also, you must use correction when your children need discipline.

These are just a few of the guidelines God's Word has given for husbands. I pray they give you insight into what lays the foundation for a blessed home and peaceable life with your family. Be strong in the Lord and filled with courage!